Latest update June 4th, 2026 12:30 AM
Hail to the new chief!
Dear Editor,
Barack Obama’s inauguration as President of the US is one for all of humanity to cheer. Indeed, America and the world gathered around their TVs and cheered his swearing-in, and listened attentively to his plan to carry America and the world forward.
It was the largest TV audience ever for a swearing in of any leader. Where I teach, students and staff watched and listened attentively because it was an event to behold. They all cheered when he took the oath.
As I browsed the major world newspapers on the Internet, the new President dominated news in every country. Billions cheered his swearing in. In fact, “Obama fever” swept the globe that day. The world cheered Obama because of his meteoric rise, through his election campaign, to fame and power, and because he is the first black to rise to such an exalted position in the Western world.
His inauguration gives symbolic meaning to the phrase that “in America, everyone is equal” and you are judged by your character and not the colour of your skin, as the late Dr. Martin Luther King prophesied.
Although Obama is claimed by (an understandably so) and considered as African-American in a country deeply divided by race and ethnicity, Obama is not viewed as the President of one ethnic group, but of all of America. Every ethnic group, not only in America, but globally as well, admires him and has given Obama respect, because he was chosen by the people in a free and fair election. They have done well not to judge him by his colour, or with prejudice.
Globally, Obama is viewed as the “unofficial President” of the world because of the high hopes he created in people.
For years, the world longed for a change in administration in Washington, as well as the way America will conduct business with the international community.
There was/is widespread public hope that the new US President will lead the world into a new crisis-free era, away from the dangers initiated by his predecessor George Bush Jnr. The world is glad to see the end of Bush’s tenure in office, and pleased with the assumption of office of Obama.
The globe hopes Obama does not disappoint. And, so far, he has had a quick start, signing executive orders and revoking some of Bush’s policies. Hail to the new chief!
V.B
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