I am surprized at how caught up I am in the Presidential Election in the US. While I have several good friends in the US, I have spent my life being so proudly Canadian that I felt great disdain for the US leaders, politicians, celebrities (sports starts, movie people) and Every Day Joes who presented themselves to the media or to me personally as if the US was the be all and end all country, the centre of the universe, the Ultimate Power. By being so interested in the election, results and aftermath, I've had to admit that the US does have a huge impact on our snowy existance way up here in our igloos. To prove my point I ask my friends south of the 49: When was our last Federal Election and who won? No googling either.
That said, I'm thrilled with the results and mesmorized by the new president elect. I think I may have an itty bitty crush on him too. I may have swooned. I had tingles watching the people listen to him, and seeing the triumph and emotion. I especially enjoyed listening to the stories of black activists who marched with MLK Jr. and now have lived to witness this change in American history. While I'm obviously not part of a visible minority, someone I love dearly is and so racism has become an issue I am obligated at the core to fight against. I think it's summed up best by a father who was quoted in a paper saying (paraphased) "When I was a child, my parents said I could be whatever I wanted to be, even president, but I didn't believe them. Now when I tell my son he can be president, he has reason to believe me." I cried when I read that. That's IT in a nutshell.
But that's not it, entirely. I know race was part of the drama of the election - how could it not be? I believe people are wrong for deciding their vote on colour. I'm certain there are people who voted for McCain b/c Obama is black. That's wrong. In an ideal world, the election would not have been influenced by colour at all... but because of history it was. Watching the aftermath, the historic significance of the first black president seems to be all that is talked about - CNN, CTV, Oprah, newspapers, internet - it's the first and sometimes only thing mentioned... and while I am enjoying watching the black people relish in their victory over history, I'm hoping that soon that will be put aside as an important PART, not WHOLE of the story. What kind of a movement is it if the election is ONLY about race? For it to be progress over racial divide, Obama's election must move away from being a victory for a race of people and become an opportunity for a nation of people regardless of colour, religion, SES. Racism is decisions made or attention given based on race - to fully embrace this opportunity of colour blindness the presidency must become about his policy, his promises and the opportunity he brings for everyone. While I understand the excitement of this historic moment, I feel the ultimate goal is revelling in the election of a good president with little thought or notice of that person's race, gender, social status, religion... Does that make sense?
But until then... WHOOO HOOOOO!
N
4 comments:
You're absolutely right, Nat. Although historic and monumental, the 4 years to follow have to be about policy and actions and not his race. It's funny... those of us against racism have alway said that the color of a person's skin shouldn't matter, right? So we elected a black president, which is a HUGE step in the right direction for us as humans... we can all agree with that, regardless of which candidate you liked better, and should absolutely be celebrated. However, there has to come a time (in the near future, I hope) that we build a bridge (and get over it) and focus on the many MANY things that need to be accomplished.
See, it doesn't matter to me what color his skin is. It honestly doesn't. I just don't feel that his presidency is in the best interest of this country. I may be wrong - I hope I am, considering he'll be in the White House in a little over two months. But history is a predictor of the future - and I don't like his history.
I agree with you as well, Natalie. I am revelling in what it means for gains in the fight against racism and the hopes that your daughter and mine will never experience it.
But here's hoping that Obama leaves a legacy of success and prosperity in addition to the historic significance of his election to the White House.
I wonder why the world is rejoicing and 47% of Americans are not?
I too was caught up in the "beautiful" moments that he exibited just by his presence. What a orator! (Did I spell that correctly?)
It is my deepest hope that he will be able to fulfill the promise of change about which he has spoken. Being half American, it is my hope that the image of America that has been so tarnished in the past several years, can shine again!
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