Another possibility - The Obama story

Another possibility – The Obama story

Jan 20, 2009 News

By Lincoln Lewis

Obama’s victory has given renewed meaning to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Forty years ago, Dr. King’s dream was that his four children, and by extension, all people, “will not be judged by the colour of their skins but by the content of their character.”
This presidency is yet another achievement for a people who still continue to struggle for equality and justice and beat back perceptions that “we can’t.” Obama has proven once again that ‘Yes, We Can.’
It is indeed historic and remarkable, 44 years after the enactment of Civil Rights and Voting Rights laws, that the first African-American has been elected President. My hope is that, as we celebrate Obama’s victory and the USA’s progress, we use this as an opportunity to truthfully examine our shortcomings.
In embracing and celebrating Obama, we cannot pay flippant attention to his philosophy, achievements, programmes, identity, association, and residency in a society, though imperfect, which seems more respectful of laws guaranteeing fundamental human rights.
Some expect direct benefits from his presidency. I caution against such expectations, and encourage that the greatest benefit we, as a people, can derive from Obama’s presidency is to emulate his principles and achievements.
WHO IS OBAMA?
Obama is the child of a black father from Kenya and white mother from Kansas. In the USA, given racial identity policy, Obama is a black man, an African-American. Obama has said, “I identify as African-American — that’s how I’m treated and that’s how I’m viewed. I’m proud of it.”
When the question of race and the presidency was posed to him, he said that he would rate the success of his presidency when Americans of all racial groups have a better shot at the American Dream. In effect, Obama is promising universal access and opportunities to all. Given the country’s history, there’s no doubt interest groups will hold him accountable, and agitate when he deviates.
In as much as Obama won 53 percent of the popular vote, and 365 electoral college votes, he accepted his victory with humility, and promised those whose votes he did not win that he would listen to them and be their President, too.
Those who continue to follow Obama will observe that he has kept his promise.
Obama’s careers have demonstrated his commitment to social justice. This is seen in the issues he organised around in the community, social groups and legislative career.
As a Senator, he caucused with the Congressional Black Caucus — the African American Congressional (House and Senate) members who meet to ensure laws and polices do not discriminate against Africans. He initiated and supported legislations such as better policing/crime fighting, education, immigration, civil rights, poverty, equal pay for equal work, and health care.
In community organizing, he worked with the poor and unemployed for health care safety, educational opportunities, and jib creation. A visit to his website (http://www.barackobama.com/issues/) offers his detailed plans as President.
RACE AND THE USA
Obama’s achievements cannot be divorced from the struggles of slaves, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, A. Phillip Randolph, Jessie Jackson and other rights activists. Neither, too, can the Emancipation, Civil Rights and Voting Rights laws signed by Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court adjudicating over these rights.
A significant factor often ignored or shunned here is the forthrightness of the Americans to discuss race and race relations — past and present.
Exercising this freedom of expression, race is examined through many lenses, some painful and some not so, seemingly in the attempt to exorcise demons and forge harmonious and equitable relationships among diverse groups.
Obama’s victory should not be seen as an end to racism, as it were, since racism still exists, as evident during the campaign and daily aspects of USA life. There is still much work to be done to improve race relations.
His victory, however, is a window into a progressive society that has brought people to the stage where the content of Obama’s character and his programmes trumped the colour of his skin.
In concluding, we, too, have the power, like Obama, to change our situation — and it starts now, with each of us, believing: Yes, We Can, and proceed to act based on our beliefs…

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