Dear Editor,
The upcoming USA Presidential election certainly provides an opportunity for lively debate. (In looks, Senator McCain reminds me of a mature, fleshy Charlie Chaplin).
I have a feeling that things are not as clear-cut as they might appear to be at the moment and mischief is afoot. Recently, the print and electronic media have been sending out what seem to be subliminal messages. For instance, in news items Mr Obama’s wife is often seen by his side; in one clip they are shown with raised fists touching. Last week we saw on British television some of Mr Obama’s close kith and kin in Kenya. An elderly relative was sitting outside her hut on a stool in the yard, surrounded by chickens and farmyard animals. The newsman chatted to one of his aunts and she told him how proud they all were of Barack. The conversation was taped and played. This week a national newspaper, on three days, carried extracts from his autobiography “Dreams from my Father”. One instalment included a life-size head-and-shoulders photograph of his (full-blooded) African half-sister from his father’s first marriage; another instalment carried a picture of himself and his bride on their wedding day. It seems that attention is being drawn to what is possible in the White House should the Obamas occupy it.
Mr Obama seems to have strong support among young, intelligent people of all races and certainly the wholehearted support of the majority of African-Americans. But fear of the unknown or apprehension among the older white population may easily cause a swing towards Senator McCain or a staying away from the polls altogether. Hillary Clinton’s detractors may well regret the day she decided to “suspend” her campaign and be glad to have her back on the scene. Hillary a loser? I don’t think so. All professional – and most non-professional – women in a male-dominated field would be aware of the obstacles to be faced, in order to succeed. Phoenix-like, she may well rise again.
I think America as a whole still has some way to go before accepting ‘a person of colour’ as its President. This is certainly not a time for complacency – taking it for granted that Barack Obama is home and dry. Let us hope his energy does not flag and he is able to maintain the momentum until November.
Yours faithfully,
Geralda Dennison
