New leaders, old expectations
One year ago, I was impressed with the views of some contributions to the America Newsweek magazine ,with respect to Barack Obama, who was then battling for the Democratic Party nomination in order to challenge for the Presidency of the USA – the nation too many still love to hate .
Besides my usual gripe – then and now – that I resent white America defining mixed Mulatto Americans as “Black”, (I’ll come back to that for a final time later down), I had harboured very similar thoughts to the magazine’s writers who articulated them – as opinion based on knowledge, background and analyses . They recorded them publicly, quite early on.
Up front, after reluctantly conceding that Obama could actually (be chosen to) vie for America’s highest political authority, I applauded White, Hispanic and Asian American for putting Obama where he is eventually at. Black America, minority that they are always destined to remain, in America, would by and large vote for him. If even just for the “African part” of him! For, to me, besides Barack himself the real breakthrough for America was the shift towards a real change – with respect to policy, dogma, generation and politics.
As the writers noted “symbolism” played and will play a significant, if not powerful, role for America’s Image around the numerous poorer parts of the world. His African father, his Muslim/Indonesian exposure, his Island/Hawaiian upbringing and, I would add, his championing poor people’s causes in depressed Chicago, All (will) mean that America’s Leader “look like what most of the earth’s inhabitants believe they look like .”
Meaning, that since (White) American deems Obama to be “Black”, to the non-white world he is also dark-skinned, a “Cinnamon- coloured” world leader of power, but who, presumably, can and will relate to the world’s poorer millions. Suddenly, America’s leader looks like them.
And yes, spare a thought for White Caucasian America. Obama’s mom was pure white. He grew up with his white grandparents. White America – soon to be minority themselves – relate to that. I also firmly, believe that Barack looks far beyond race to principles and abilities.
Just look at next Tuesday’s Cabinet!
New leaders – and
expectationsPerhaps my generation’s and my personal cynicism shines through here, but I have grown accustomed not to expect numerous changes from new leaders. Caribbean and Latin American leaders, for example, promise lots on the campaign trail. Six months after victory, election and office, reality defies their manifesto-agendas. The political honeymoon ends swiftly as impatient people rebuke, then turn against their once-favourite, elected leaders.
So, in realistic terms, what can America- and the world- expect of President Barack Obama, after Tuesday? Concentrating on foreign policy, sure, he is honour-bound to extricate America from Iraq; he seems to be going in to Afghanistan and he would never abandon Israel. Relations with Russia will be a challenge and Obama could, conceivably execute aggressive policies towards India and China – especially where trade relations are concerned. I also feel that Latin America and the Caribbean will attract his attention, more so than any other America President has ever paid to this region. Bet me on that!
Also analysts are placing Obama in a context of an age-group revolution, or cycle (?) in terms of the changing world leaders who are heading government, in American states, in Europe, in Latin America and in the Caribbean, especially.
Quite a few leaders, and imminent, potential leaders are in the 45 to 50 something age-group. In France, Sweden, Britain, Russia and elsewhere many of these leaders saw their older generation emerge from the Cold War very scarred. While they feel that the West can influence the world for good still, these younger leaders would wish more positive contact with both progressive and fundamentalist Muslims states. They hope understanding and co-operation replace terrorism.
Climate change, globalization and poverty eradication – with linkages to immigration policies and right-left politics- will engage their attention more than they did their parents. The new leaders will struggle to create balance between democracy and liberalism. Which brings me to my personal wonderment…
How will Obama deal with Venezuela’s Chavez? How much Democracy will he advocate for Cuba, North Korea, China or Zimbabwe? Will he really be his own man? The change in his administration’s ways of doing things? Look, let’s wait on a few months- after next Tuesday.
Stay Dry…
So how will Hammie- one-time general-secretary- and Oscar, current general secretary, work out who will wear that tarnished, now meaningless mayor’s chain?
I don’t want to believe what the anti-government businessman shared with me about one aspect of corruption. In the context of the floods- and drainage.
That some outfalls are deliberately left to silt up- so that favourites could supply pumps. Naah! Never-so-callous. Right?
Even in this cell-phone-language era, I, an old time teacher, who insists on proper spelling, don’t want to be side-tracked by finding on some internet site published five years ago. Why am I even exposing this to you again? Just check.
“I cdnuolt (could not) blveiee that I cloud aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the human mind. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer inwaht order the ltteers in a word are, the only iprmoatnt thing is that the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihis is bcuseae the human mind deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh, and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt!”
How many executive orders will President Obama issue in his first 100 days?
Interesting and very funny the origins of names. “Allan” from the Celtic means harmony, peace. Or from the Gaelic, fair, handsome. But my friend “Lennox” That’s old English for “The tenant farmer’s ox!”
’Til next week!
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