Emeka Nwosu
17 November 2008
opinion
Lagos — A lot has been said and written about the historic election of Senator Barack Hussein Obama, an African American of Kenyan descent as the 44th President of the most powerful country on earth, the United States of America.
Three weeks after this extra-ordinary political event, Obama's feat has continued to resonate around the globe. In the weeks and months to come, Obama would remain the issue on both domestic and international discourse.
It is with extra-ordinary joy in my heart and a feeling of immeasurable pride that I join billions of humanity around the world to congratulate Senator Obama for this monumental achievement. I also wish to salute the courage and the forthrightness of the entire American people who defied every odd to make this change that is being celebrated all over the world possible.
Until November 4th, 2008, the day Obama made history as the first black American to be so elected as the President of the United States, it was unthinkable and inconceivable that a black man in this generation, by any stretch of imagination stood any chance in the race to the fabled White House in Washington DC.
In the run-up to the election, in which Obama was pitched against an American war hero and a veteran in the US Senate, Senator John McCain, not many people gave Obama the slightest chance in spite of his dazzling charisma, uncommon eloquence and superiority of logic and ideas. In a world that is still governed by deep cleavages, prejudices and stereotypes, Obama's color was seen as a major disadvantage and set-back.
It is unbelievable that the youthful Obama, a first time Senator and an American of Kenyan ancestry would overcome all the cultural handicaps and other challenges to cause a major upset in the political history of the United States. We can only say that such a spectacular feat is God's doing and in deed it is marvelous in our eyes. We shall rejoice and be glad in it.
Obama was clearly disadvantaged in the race, given his background as an ethnic minority and relative political inexperience as compared to his opponent, McCain who, for long, had been a power broker in Washington. But Obama who ran on the platform of change did not see any disability in neither the historical burden of race or in the so-called question of limited political experience.
He believed in himself and his God-given ability to take America to the next level, even when his aspiration was treated with disdain and contempt by doubting Thomases. In deed, his radical engagement of the political process, notwithstanding the obvious obstacles, was clearly that of audacity of hope.
He showed courage and perseverance in the face of mounting difficulties. He radiated hope in the midst of despair. With his clarity of thought, firm grasp of the contending issues, and mastery of the spoken word, he inspired and galvanized a whole generation. In the months and years to come, the historically significant achievement of Obama in an age where such was thought improbable and impossible would continue to capture the popular imagination around the globe.
The victory was decisive. It was a smash and beyond any disputation and argumentation. Obama won in every conceivable and inconceivable place. In the traditional strongholds of the Democrats he was at home. In the home turfs of the Republicans like Virginia and Nevada to mention but a few, he recorded landslide victories. He needed only 270 electoral college votes to win, but he hauled in over 340. What a victory! What an election!
Like some commentators had remarked not many people within and outside the United States ever thought that the time was ripe for a black President. Rather, what many had envisaged was the likelihood of the emergence of a female President for the first time in America. This thinking was informed by the impressive performance of the former First Lady, Senator Hillary Clinton earlier in the primaries of the Democratic Party before 'Hurricane Obama' began to sweep throughout the country's political landscape.
The hurricane was unstoppable. Combining eloquence with infectious charisma, Obama's message of change and hope was irresistible to the young who constituted the bulk of his supporters, the old, the poor, the artisans and the middle class that was being directly threatened by the ensuing global economic melt-down.
Barack Obama did not leave any thing to chance. He campaigned hard. For over 21 months, in what is regarded as the most hard fought presidential election in the history of the United States, Obama criss-crossed the vast political and geographical landscape of America canvassing for votes from the whites, blacks, Hispanics and other races in the country.
He was quite conscious of the deep cleavages in the political and social life of America in spite of its claim to being God's own country. He did not allow that to pose an obstacle. Instead he asked Americans to support him on the basis of his programme to bring that change which they desire in place of the pains and economic recession which the eight years of Republican control in the White House had brought to the people.
They listened to him. He captivated them. The level of social mobilization achieved by Obama and his campaign team was unprecedented in the US electoral history. The voters came out in their millions including those who had never voted before to cast their votes for the apostle of change. They were assured that their votes would count.
On election day, the polling centers were besieged as both the young and elderly all queued up to exercise their franchise. On conclusion of the voting, it was with bated breath that Americans and the entire world awaited the outcome. When the news of Obama's victory finally filtered in through the CNN and other major news networks, the whole world erupted in wild jubilations and celebrations.
As Obama mounted the rostrum at Grant Park in Chicago to give his acceptance speech, the atmosphere was electrifying. As he spoke, the tears of joy were rolling in their torrents amongst the audience who had for a very long time looked forward to a day like that.
For many, they could not believe what has happened. A black man elected in their life time with a huge mandate to preside over the affairs of the only standing super power in the world. Prominent among those who could not hold back their tears of joy was The Rev Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader who himself had campaigned fruitlessly in the past to make it to the White House.
For Jackson, a prominent African American, it was in deed a dream come through. He was there with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. way back in 1963 when he made that very powerful speech, "I Have A Dream". In that dream, Martin Luther who was the leader of the civil rights movement in America then predicted that one day, his little black children would not be judged on the basis of their skin color but on the content of their character.
With the election of Barack Obama, a black man with no political god father, Martin Luther's dream has been fulfilled. America has, with the election of Obama proven that it is in deed God's own country and a land of opportunities. The myth of racism has been shattered. America has set a standard which the rest of the world must follow.
With the election of Obama, the country has finally overcome the challenges of racism, tribalism, parochialism and geography. Obama has proven that in America today it is possible for one to realize his destiny on the basis of hard work, ability, competence and perseverance not on the basis of such mundane factors like tribe, religion and god fatherism which had continued to hold us hostage in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
In the Obama's victory can be seen the enduring capacity of the human spirit to rise above personal and man-made limitations to achieve a desired goal. Obama represents that "I can do spirit" which is not commonplace. He has demonstrated that in today's America, where there is a will, there will always be a way. We salute America, the land of limitless possibilities.
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Reference: Nigeria: Meaning of Obama's Triumph This Day (Lagos) OPINION 17 November 2008 Posted to the web 18 November 2008 Emeka Nwosu Lagos In the run-up to the election, in which Obama was pitched against an American war hero and a veteran in the US Senate, Senator John McCain, not many people gave Obama the slightest chance in spite of his dazzling charisma, uncommon eloquence and superiority of logic and ideas http://allafrica.com/stories/200811180329.html
With qualifications like these Barack’s campaign gained traction; And he would have gained admission Sans affirmative action.
But of all the attributes he’s said to possess None contributed more to his rise on the scene Than those first perceived by Joe Biden (V-Potus elect), Namely, that he was ar.tic.u.late as well as clean.
We now wait, fingers crossed, For some sign he actually possesses Qualities dazzling, uncommon, and/or superior When he, cold reality, addresses.