An Idea Called Obama

In the euphoria that has swept the world since the historic victory of Barack Obama in the just concluded US presidential elections, it will be wise to make a distinction between Obama the man and Obama the idea. This is necessary because the world-wide support and curiosity was primarily based upon supporting Obama the man or upholding Obama the idea or both of them put together in the broader context of wanting a better future. This ideological formation is imperative because while Barack Obama does embody both the man and the idea, the fulfillment and implementation of his promises and hope will be influenced by either the man or the idea. It is here that one comes to appreciate the fact that hope alone is never a strategy.

Therefore, while it is only right to acknowledge that Barack Obama was ferociously efficient, charismatic and strategic in communicating and helping people understand the idea of hope and change, he was most effective when he assumed the role of the critical yeast in uniting people. Like yeast which gels dough together, Barack Obama was the critical yeast in bringing a polarized nation together at a time when a decisive mass of people were no longer willing to sustain and support a dogmatic status quo. When he assumes office, Barack Obama will need to be more than just the critical yeast, he will need to be a leader that will shape a new destiny for his nation, and a statesman that will bridge the nations of the world towards a shared humanity.

The idea of hope and change presented itself as an anti-thesis to a violent, suffocating and uncaring world; and it is this idea that caught the public imagination of not just Americans, but the people of the world. It is here that an ideological formation is created between those who support Obama the man and those who uphold Obama the idea. There in lies the irony; and one that will need to be understood and addressed once Obama assumes formal office. The expectation one creates of Barack Obama, maybe formulated along the lines of this perceived dichotomy of Obama the man and Obama the idea.

While Obama reflects both the man and the idea, it is quite evident that real politik will have greater influence on the man, than the idea. For instance, this is quite clearly demonstrated in Barack Obama’s willingness to stop the war in Iraq, while reinforcing the war in Afghanistan. This naturally contradicts the values of hope and change, and yet Obama the man is bound by the politics of war and peace and hence limited in fully exercising the idea. This stand to strengthen the war in Afghanistan is obviously being strongly criticized by those who uphold Obama the idea. Barack Obama will have to learn to balance between the idea and the man; because the expectation arising out of this ideological formation will have diverse implications both for Barack Obama and the people.For those seeking genuine change and transformation, it is critical that the understanding of Obama the idea prevails over real politik. If not, the beacon of light that has been lighted by this historic wind of change will be extinguished by the principalities of the status quo. The great inspiration one can take from Obama the idea is the fact that through this once unimaginable victory of an African-American to the White House, it has sparked the possibilities of a new dawn for African-Americans as they begin to address their tragic and oppressive legacy of slavery and discrimination with renewed confidence and demeanor, so that the journey to healing can begin.

THEMORUNG EXPRESS