Masochistic Perceptions, Trials and Truths

These are my cyberfied cerebral synapses ricocheting off reality as I perceive it: thoughts, opinions, passions, rants, art and poetry...

Monday, November 10, 2008


Obama


The recent election of Barack Obama as the first non-white President is an amazingly progressive accomplishment for minorities throughout the world, and it should be celebrated. We must, however, in our revelry, be wary of making this into the same thing that led to years of persecution of blacks and other minorities in the United States and throughout Western democracies – the identification of an individual based upon race. President-elect Obama is a great man who has inspired millions – full stop. Obama is a champion for us all, regardless of race, religion or gender. Definitely, Obama should be viewed as a role model for black people, but he is also half white, half Muslim and so on as well. Ergo, Obama is an intelligent and inspiring human being whose message exceeds everything else and his potential to inspire others from all walks of life is immense. I feel very sad for those individuals who voted for or against Obama based only on his skin colour.

Expectations and hopes are very high as Obama takes the reins of the world's most powerful nation in January. I hope that people of our modern high-speed 24/7 culture do not expect him to deliver the moon overnight. The media has us all like children on Christmas Eve. The changes Obama represents will take time and much of it will be caught up in the usual pitfalls of bureaucracy and diplomacy. The hope he has given us, however, is immediate, as well as his message that to accomplish much of what Obama has suggested requires our support, self-sacrifice and action – and I am speaking here as a Canadian and citizen of the world. If unsuccessful, Obama's failures will be no more based on his skin colour than if he exceeds our wildest expectations. If anything, based on the reaction so far, Obama has given the world more than any other politician in recent memory. While I cringe at those politicians who will imitate Obama for electoral gain, I do hope that he has ignited a spark for peace, democracy and tolerance that will kindle itself internationally and make life better for all on this earth.

3 Comments:

  • At 2:11 p.m. , Blogger K.Lawson Gilbert said...

    YOUR hope is, indeed, MY hope. Honestly, when I voted for Obama, I voted for a man, not a black man. However, BECAUSE he is black, I think he will be able to achieve more worldwide in many respects. I know he will be good for America. We are tired of the same Washington bureaucratic Bull!

    His ideals are lofty, but attainable. I just believe the world will look at us differently now - and that is very good!

     
  • At 8:20 a.m. , Blogger Ed Meers said...

    Hope and belief is what matters and is a superior gift...

     
  • At 4:30 p.m. , Blogger leahbelle said...

    I like Barack. If he does NOTHING in office, the fact that he even holds that position will forever change the face of American politics. I think the spark has begun and I'm hopeful :-)

     

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