Yes We (Hope we) Can

I just have to get a few things off my chest about this election now that I'm sober and not dancing jigs around the living room.

• One thing about race in the United States that drives me crazy is that when something happens to a minority, the media turns to a person of the same ethnicity and asks them what they think, or pans the studio audience looking for reactions from people of the same ethnicity. Yes, it is a VERY big deal that it took us nearly 250 years of our existence to elect a black president. It took us a ridiculously long time and we are all overjoyed that it has finally happened. But this election is a huge deal for all of us, a gigantic milestone in our history regardless of the color of Obama's skin. It made me grind my teeth that as soon as CNN announced that Obama had won, they interviewed the black journalists about what the felt (who seemed irritated by being singled out) and went over to the Obama rally, where they specifically and deliberately panned to black people in the audience throughout his speech.

• Something I've learned about the US political culture is that it is much more reactive that proactive. 9/11 is the perfect example, since experts had been warning for years that we would be attacked but serious, real measures weren't implemented until afterward, effectively shutting the barn door after the horse had got out. Similarly, it took eight years of Bush and his cronies running our country into the ground to wake Americans up: the war, gas prices, the economy, torture, the Patriot Act, the forgotten war in Afghanistan...the list goes on. It was only when Americans were immediately and personally effected (read: in their wallets) that the otherwise apathetic woke up and said "Wtf mate?"

• Obama has the amazing ability to inspire hope where there is none. He could convince a dying cancer patient that he would live, and a poor man that he could become rich. I fall under his spell, too, but after surviving Washington I know better. Even though the Democrats have taken Congress and the White House, it's still going to be an uphill battle. The Republicans are pissed (did anyone see McCain's concession speech?) and they are going to do anything and everything in their power to try to impede Obama from getting things done. I happen to believe that four years is not going to be enough time to make deep, meaningful changes to the fiber of the nation, the kind we really need. I think the economy will rebound, which has more to do with market forces than the government, and I think we will at least clean up some of the messes Bush made. But like in Brazil, money talks. In Brazil, we call it corruption, pay-offs, or embezzling, and in the US, we call it lobbying. I desperately want change, but I'm ever the skeptic.

Comments

[mallory elise]

what! Obama is black!??

[Rodrigo]

Thank's God, the world is sleeping better now!

[Ken]

Putting political rhetoric and policy opinion aside. In the past, I have been disappointed, disillusioned, and disenfranchised with this country I've called my own. It has created a cynical, and albeit accurate worldview that has one searching for evidence of humanity. After recovering from shock induced aloofness, I realized I had tears in my eyes.

The implied promise of my country has always been that merit, through work and ability supersedes race, class, and even religion. Experience has shown that racial divides, prejudice, and fear will always haunt any society. However, this election has clearly shown that the majority can see beyond race and expose a shared humanity.

Yes!, we can now tell our children that they too can be President, that they cannot honestly use race as an excuse. The coming generation will inherit a country that affirms the words that we are all created equal. The hidden burden of silent racism has now been unveiled and tossed, and I can only share the tears of happiness, and redemption that this election has created.

[Bennett]

Oi Gringa glad to hear your still a skeptic, the only place an intelligent person would dare to sit.
The hope thing... hypnotic speech techniques do wonders eh?
And the Change thing... well I guess the end of the middle class, NWO dictatorship and more wars counts as change.
Brazil? Dangerous? Pfft I'll take my chances any day in Brazil.

[Ray Adkins]

Rachel,

The mood here is pure joy!

[Karlyn Smith]

Hey Rachel I have a unique and interesting opportunity for both you and your blog and was wondering if you have an email address I could reach you at???

[Rio Gringa]

it's on my contact page on the right - riogringaconsult at gmail dot com.

[Steve]

I think you made some good points. I was also a little annoyed that the coverage was so centered on black people celebrating. Obama's victory is clearly a victory for the entire country and considering that he crushed at the polls it's obvious he had a lot of support from the white & hispanic commuties as well. I understand it's a monumental hurdle for blacks in the US but let's not get pigeon-holed and forget about the big picture.

[Julia]

I really loved both Obama's election and your comments on it.. although, I have to say I dont believe the republicans will give him such a hard time.. Maybe I'm too optimistic, but I believe people are aknowledging the need to work together all over the world.. and that is what I really hope happens.
by the way, I love your blog!! Congratulations!

[Paul]

"I was also a little annoyed that the coverage was so centered on black people celebrating. Obama's victory is clearly a victory for the entire country and considering that he crushed at the polls it's obvious he had a lot of support from the white & hispanic commuties as well. I understand it's a monumental hurdle for blacks in the US but let's not get pigeon-holed and forget about the big picture."

agreed.

also, i have to say that i was surprised with mccain's speech. i don't think it was nearly as bitter as it could have been. and all the interviews that i've heard with republicans today, stress the fact that they congratulate obama and look forward to working together. there where clearly some idiots at the rally, but that should be expected.

[Ray Adkins]

I think if the media had not centered interviews around the blacks, they would probably be acused of ignoring the historical moment for the Black community...
And you couldn't avoid the celebration of the black population, it was all over the place, in several large cities.

[Victor]

You are right to be skeptic.Only time will tell.Economy will rebound,there is no doubt about that.I only wish that America will spend her many on Americans and not on waging war around the world,killing people and robbing other countries for the benefit of people like Bush,Cheney,Rumsfeld.
One can only hope for new beginning.

[Victor]

You are right to be skeptic.Only time will tell.Economy will rebound,there is no doubt about that.I only wish that America will spend her many on Americans and not on waging war around the world,killing people and robbing other countries for the benefit of people like Bush,Cheney,Rumsfeld.
One can only hope for new beginning.

[mauro tatini]

I could write for days about this. Being (at times) the only "non-black" person in a band that was all-black (meshell ndegeocello), we several times talked about this. It's funny, though: I always said that I was sure a black president would be elected one day, though I hoped he was the best candidate, and not "time for a black person to be elected no matter how competent he is" (anybody remember Dinkins?). Anyway, the rest of the band said "never! it will NEVER happen!". Same thing Whoopi Goldberg's mother said when she asked her "did you think you'd see this day?" - she replied with an emphatic "NO!" - and THAT I don't get it. How can you go through everything she's been through - the end of "not being able to sit anywhere in the bus", the end of "women can't vote", the end of so many things like that, and think that it wouldn't continuing to happen, you know? Also, racism (and reverse racism) is a funny thing. One of the most heated discussions we had was that, in reality, they'd love if the situation was to be reversed. Not eradicated - though that could be "ok" as a second place, but they'd love for them to be able to have "thought of that first" (watch "white man's burden" and you'll understand what we were talking about) - and I don't see it. Anyway, like I said, this can get quite long - my point is, I really hope "they" let Obama do what he wants to do. Though I value (and understand) the historical part of a black man being elected president, I almost wish he wasn't black. Because I think he has the best ideas (and hopefully intentions) and people will just be waiting for him to mess up (which is easy, given the current situation of the country - not even a president with super powers would be able to fix it in 4/8 years!) - and then, throw the "I told you so's" on the mix... he'll have to spend time doing his job, and extra-time double checking himself to make sure it's the best choice BECAUSE he's black, and that really sucks... I hope he thought of that, and figured out what to do - god only knows we need somebody who's going to lead strongly and honestly. I hope they just let him be, you know? Thank god the democrats got the majority of the house and congress too - so, yes, it IS possible...

[Adrienne]

I'm African-American and I was feeling a bit the same way about the coverage. Yes, the black vote helped and yes, we have every right to rejoice like maniacs in the streets, however this was everyone's win! Plus it couldn't have been done without the white, Hispanic, Asian vote, etc...

McCain's speech was very nicely done in my eyes. It was the crowd of very disappointed faces that made me feel similar concerns about the Repubs giving Dems a hard time in the days to come. I'm hopeful that we'll come together. Things are just too bad not to.

Adrienne

[Adam]

Ken,

You took the very words I would have written right out of my mouth (or perhaps brain is better)!

Down with the American political system, its completely worthless...

Also Ken, if you are looking for more ammunition to depress people even more, I highly recommend Alan Watt at Cutting through the Matrix, a free podcast on iTunes.

Good day