Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Obama: The (Last) Day Before

filed under: barack obama

So, this is the last day before President Obama. Feels sorta like September 10, 2001. The final 24 hours before we know for sure. Y’know, I didn’t leave America for political reasons, but there were totally times when I felt as if staying there was like remaining in a relationship with an abusive lover. I felt hypocritical more than occasionally, bitchin about the country with my homies for the millionth time without doing something about it…like leaving (e.g., Nina Simone, James Baldwin, etc.). When I first heard about the possibility of Barack Obama running for president years ago, I felt like America would never elect a black man. My opinion changed immediately when I found out he wasn’t reeeeally African-American, that his dad was from Kenya and his mom was white. “He’s exactly the black guy America would elect,” I thought. “He’s not from enslaved ancestors, he’ll never invoke the white guilt race card that Sharpton, Jackson & co. use as their modus operandi. He’s in.”

Mark my words on this one: it won’t even take till summertime 2009 for the honeymoon to be over. Americans black and white will be bitchin and moanin in no time about how Obama isn’t affecting change fast enough. Expectations are so sky-high (I see them all the way over here in France) that there’s no way he’ll be all things to all people, and I guarantee you the public will want results overnight, or nearly. I’ll celebrate as hard as anyone two days from now, but Obama is not the savior. (Save your Self.)

As a sad non sequitur, it’s incredible that Obama’s grandmother would pass away the day before he gets elected president. Madelyn Dunham, rest in peace.

America: show em whatcha got.

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Comments

Sara at 7:27 PM on 11/04/08:

Perhaps it’s because I’m at the height of my 20s and thus my political awareness, but I have never been so nervous and excited about an election. Gracious. And I wonder, given the outcome, if I might follow in the footsteps of Baldwin, Simone, Robeson, and Baker.

MML at 7:51 PM on 11/04/08:

i’ve had a little handful of people ask me about moving out of america in the event of a president mccain, not to mention the economy and the never-ending war, sara. hopefully it won’t come to that, but we’ll all know in less than 24 hours!

sdg1844 at 9:21 PM on 11/04/08:

It’s an amazing time to be alive. No, he is not the savior and yeah there will be bitching. I expect nothing less. Doesn’t change the importance of what’s happening and it’s worth the fight.

MML at 10:02 PM on 11/04/08:

it’s totally worth it, and what’s happening is completely important. as well: hope and change don’t begin or end with barack obama. if/when certain things don’t work out like all the supporters expect, know that it’s up to US to be the change we want to see in the world.

shawn Taylor at 6:47 AM on 11/05/08:

For all of you stateside Obama (especially people of color) supporters, roll with your crew for the next couple of days. I live in the so-called liberal Bay Area of California, and there have been bands of white kids smashing the windows of cars with Obama stickers. Bigots are sore losers.
Another note: was it just me, or was it astonishing to see a black couple embracing on television? I cried.

MML at 8:04 AM on 11/05/08:

amazing to see oprah & jesse with tears in their eyes (via CNN.com for me). amazing too to see just how red the very middle of america is. i totally expected a blowout of reagan/mondale proportions, shawn.

C-Chrystine at 10:08 AM on 11/05/08:

Its sad that his grandmamma died tho…maybe the universe created a loss to he can gain the presidency..

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Obama: The (Last) Day Before

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