E. Ablorh-Odjidja
7 November 2008
opinion
"Trust the Europeans to hide their own feelings about race as they trumpet those of America.
As Obama advances in the polls in America today, there is no likelihood in Europe that a Black in France or Germany or Britain, with the political stature of Obama, can rise to the top as head of government in these states."
The article below was submitted just before the US elections but the points raised still remain valid and relevant.
Today, November 4, 2008, will add to the days that matter most in American racial history; whether Obama is elected as president of the United States on not. Decision 2008 will be one act, along with many in history that mark the true progress of racial bias in America, starting with Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.
In 1863, Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, had premonition about the impact of his Emancipation Proclamation. In that statement, he observed that the Proclamation would be "an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution..." and went on to "invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God" for his proclamation.
Decision 2008 will be either a proclamation and affirmation or denial of America's own racial progress.
Today, in majority of places in Africa, people are invoking the same wishes as expressed by Lincoln in his proclamation. They are excited about the possibility of an African-American becoming an American president for the first time in history.
Much of the world is also excited. In Europe, many feel "virtuous by supporting Barack Obama, convinced that this demonstrated how they are equally liberal on racial issues," said Andrew Nagorski in his article "Projections of American Power."
Trust the Europeans to hide their own feelings about race as they trumpet those of America. As Obama advances in the polls in America today, there is no likelihood in Europe that a Black in France or Germany or Britain, with the political stature of Obama, can rise to the top as head of government in these states.
Obama is likely to become the next president of the United States. He has, with his campaign alone, demonstrated his capabilities as a leader. The timing is also in his favor, with the economy going against the Bush administration. He has more chance than any Black in history to capture the White House.
But will his failure to do so be caused by a leftover of some deep seated racial animus dating back to the time of Emancipation?
In 1893, Abraham Lincoln had fought for Emancipation with the support of the Republican Party. Today, it is the Democrat Party that is the party for Blacks.
Democrats also outnumber the Republican Party in membership strength. A straight line party vote by Democrats for Obama will definitely assure his victory. If Obama were White, like a Bill Clinton, a landslide victory can be assured for Democrats.
Obama's victory will be momentous not only for historical reasons, but for the awesome psychological effect it will unleash. There would be a complete paradigm shift for Blacks worldwide - about themselves and the world.
In Ghana, for instance, Mr. Barack Ofori, a businessman and an ardent supporter of Obama has already felt the shift. He has taken a quarter page advert in the nation's most read newspaper, The Daily Graphic. For one week running, he has requested prayers for Obama at his own expense.
Mr. Ofori is the owner of Reader's Printing Press and the proprietor of a private educational institution for middle schoolers, called The Englebert School. This middle school is situated at the Airport Residential Area of Accra. He is also planning for a victory celebration at the school for students and Obama supporters.
For Mr. Ofori, the consequence of Obama's victory is clear. It will be good for the kids growing up in his school and it will be a dream come true for Blacks worldwide.
As much as Obama's victory is necessary for Blacks and even Whites, there is still the consideration that he may not win. And should he not, despite the acutely favorable political environment, who then should be blamed?
For once, the Democrat will not be able to blame Republicans for racial animus. The Republican may be racist, but he would have an excuse, a perfect one since he disagreed with Obama on principle.
There would be no such excuse for the White liberal Democrat. In principle, he is on the same page with Obama. They are both liberal. The only excuse for his recalcitrance will be because of race. The last time I checked Obama is Black according to racial definition in America.
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