Change we can believe in...
Last night, as I was glued to the television as I'm sure most people in the world were, I had chills watching the announcement of the President Elect, Barack Obama, which was followed closely by tears. Let me explain :
I spent most of my formative years with my dad and his family so I was exposed to Trinidadian culture, Black history in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. I took part in African Heritage classes; I learned a little Swahili (sadly I remember very little); I went to cultural events; I watched movies and read books that spoke of the Black experiences. I learned Dr. King's "I have a dream" speech by heart and I understood, even at a young age how far we'd come from that. I met Rosa Parks, who was humble and quietly maintained that she wasn't trying to make a point, she just refused to move because she had worked a long hard day and was tired. I have always had the freedom to sit where I want, eat where I want, and to go to school where I wanted - sometimes I take these things for granted, sometimes I forget what people before me sacrificed.
My family also taught me that I could not afford to let anything slide because my work, my talents and my abilities would be scrutinized differently that my white classmates and friends. That said, I was told I could do anything that I set my mind to - I was lucky enough to have positive Black role models. Still, there were certain role models that were few and far between - think about how many Black (or any minority for that matter) MPs/MPPs, etc. that there have been here in Canada, a country that proclaims itself more multicultural and liberal than the U.S.A.
I was asked today if Obama's win was really that astounding (were the racial implications really that profound?) and didn't I think that before, say in 2004 or even 2000, had there been a legitimate Black candidate that their election would have been possible? Truthfully, no, maybe Colin Powell before he went to the UN over WMDs but no one else has been in a position to achieve what Obama has done.
If there is any doubt about how important this is, watch the tears streaming down Jesse Jackson's face. Think about the anecdote about the 106 year old woman that Obama used in his speech. This is a victory for so many reasons but for me, I feel like this truly means there are no limitations on what any person of colour can achieve (this is something that until now, may have just been lip service). That the Obama's example (Michelle is an extraordinary woman in her own right) will serve as a reminder of the audacity of hope.
So yes, this monumental election result is a major hurdle in race relations, and yes, Black people around the world have ever reason to be proud. And in a personal kind of way - it's inspiring to see a person of "mixed-race" assuming control of the most powerful nation in the world. (Although Chris Rock made a brilliant point : being "half black" is like being half pregnant, this still makes me giggle).
Many people have said that voters "saw past" Obama, the Black Candidate, and voted strictly for the better candidate. While I agree that he was the better choice...I cannot believe that anyone can look past the obvious. I do believe that Obama offers much more than his skin colour but to say it's not a factor would be to minimize the issue and the accomplishment.
So now we wait until inauguration day and hope that Obama brings about the change he promised.
I spent most of my formative years with my dad and his family so I was exposed to Trinidadian culture, Black history in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. I took part in African Heritage classes; I learned a little Swahili (sadly I remember very little); I went to cultural events; I watched movies and read books that spoke of the Black experiences. I learned Dr. King's "I have a dream" speech by heart and I understood, even at a young age how far we'd come from that. I met Rosa Parks, who was humble and quietly maintained that she wasn't trying to make a point, she just refused to move because she had worked a long hard day and was tired. I have always had the freedom to sit where I want, eat where I want, and to go to school where I wanted - sometimes I take these things for granted, sometimes I forget what people before me sacrificed.
My family also taught me that I could not afford to let anything slide because my work, my talents and my abilities would be scrutinized differently that my white classmates and friends. That said, I was told I could do anything that I set my mind to - I was lucky enough to have positive Black role models. Still, there were certain role models that were few and far between - think about how many Black (or any minority for that matter) MPs/MPPs, etc. that there have been here in Canada, a country that proclaims itself more multicultural and liberal than the U.S.A.
I was asked today if Obama's win was really that astounding (were the racial implications really that profound?) and didn't I think that before, say in 2004 or even 2000, had there been a legitimate Black candidate that their election would have been possible? Truthfully, no, maybe Colin Powell before he went to the UN over WMDs but no one else has been in a position to achieve what Obama has done.
If there is any doubt about how important this is, watch the tears streaming down Jesse Jackson's face. Think about the anecdote about the 106 year old woman that Obama used in his speech. This is a victory for so many reasons but for me, I feel like this truly means there are no limitations on what any person of colour can achieve (this is something that until now, may have just been lip service). That the Obama's example (Michelle is an extraordinary woman in her own right) will serve as a reminder of the audacity of hope.
So yes, this monumental election result is a major hurdle in race relations, and yes, Black people around the world have ever reason to be proud. And in a personal kind of way - it's inspiring to see a person of "mixed-race" assuming control of the most powerful nation in the world. (Although Chris Rock made a brilliant point : being "half black" is like being half pregnant, this still makes me giggle).
Many people have said that voters "saw past" Obama, the Black Candidate, and voted strictly for the better candidate. While I agree that he was the better choice...I cannot believe that anyone can look past the obvious. I do believe that Obama offers much more than his skin colour but to say it's not a factor would be to minimize the issue and the accomplishment.
So now we wait until inauguration day and hope that Obama brings about the change he promised.