In which a white middle-class male muses on racism
Congratulations, US. This has been the first presidential election since I became interested in politics that hasn't made me angry or scared. I stayed up long enough to toast Obama's victory last night, and feel excited to have witnessed history.
I noticed that every American I saw on the BBC was extremely quick to downplay any suggestion of a race factor. But there is no getting away from it, it could not help but be a significant issue in this election. I'm sure many black people voted for him not because of policies or suitability, but due to the colour of his skin. This is not criticism, because I've been thinking about it and I'm not sure a black person could become Prime Minister in Britain yet. This is more to do with politicians than voters because of the way a party leader is chosen, but still. That Obama is black and the president elect is an amazing thing that cannot be ignored.
But. Now that he is elected (although hopefully a crucial part of why people did elect him) the most important thing is what kind of a president he will be. Given his very methodical and controlled approach to the campaign I am optimistic. He is a good person to be in charge with the current economic crisis chasing all other thoughts from everyone's heads. With regard to Iraq, I just hope he avoids plunging the place into civil war when the soldiers pull out. I don't ask for much, do I? But I would be happy with him demonstrably making sensible, informed decisions that don't make the United States look like a joke.
The United States is wonderful and terrible, and always a little bit tacky. I can't help but be fascinated by it. Good luck for 2009.
I noticed that every American I saw on the BBC was extremely quick to downplay any suggestion of a race factor. But there is no getting away from it, it could not help but be a significant issue in this election. I'm sure many black people voted for him not because of policies or suitability, but due to the colour of his skin. This is not criticism, because I've been thinking about it and I'm not sure a black person could become Prime Minister in Britain yet. This is more to do with politicians than voters because of the way a party leader is chosen, but still. That Obama is black and the president elect is an amazing thing that cannot be ignored.
But. Now that he is elected (although hopefully a crucial part of why people did elect him) the most important thing is what kind of a president he will be. Given his very methodical and controlled approach to the campaign I am optimistic. He is a good person to be in charge with the current economic crisis chasing all other thoughts from everyone's heads. With regard to Iraq, I just hope he avoids plunging the place into civil war when the soldiers pull out. I don't ask for much, do I? But I would be happy with him demonstrably making sensible, informed decisions that don't make the United States look like a joke.
The United States is wonderful and terrible, and always a little bit tacky. I can't help but be fascinated by it. Good luck for 2009.