Improbable. Yes it’s a historic moment. For black people in America. For all people of colour across the world. Yes its a delirious moment for Kenyans. America has redeemed herself from a dark history of disenfranchised citizens and a past of slavery and gone ahead to prove to the world that democracy does work and the fabled American Dream complete with the accompanying ideals is a viable concept. Yes all things are possible.
The Tears. I want to admit that I shed my share to honour this moment. The thought that a black family first family can reside in the White House with Malia and Shasha frolicking on those hallowed Pennsylvania Avenue lawns with the puppy Dad promised is such a powerful image that I just let go and allowed the tears to flow freely. Who would have thought? Many black people had wished and prayed for his win, but were not convinced that white voters could see beyond his skin colour. Rev. Jesee Jackson cried too. So did Oprah and lots of white and black folks everywhere.
The Public Holiday. President Kibaki was quicker to the draw than President Bush by congratulating Senator Obama on the win before anyone else (at least according to our media houses). Along with that, he also declared 6th November a public holiday-just like I had predicted. This will allow Kenyans to celebrate our Cousin Obama’s victory.
The Acceptance Speech. His speech as expected paid tribute to the historical moment ushering in a black man into the American presidency, special tribute to his opponents Mc Cain and Palin, to the enduring power of American ideals, to the American people reiterating that they “will always be the united States of American”, to Republican voters while promising that he will be “your president too”. Using his campaign clarion call he promised that “change has come to America” He also thanked his campaign team by calling David Ploufee the “unsung hero” of the campaign as well as recognising David Axelrod. He had special mention for Michelle, “his best friend for 16 years, his family rock and America’s next first lady”. Other members of his nucleus and extended family he mentioned include daughters Malia and Shasha, late grandma Madelyn, half sister Maya, step sister Auma, other brothers and sisters. He also mentioned Ann Nixon Cooper and used her 106 years as a backdrop of the landmark changes that had taken place in the American society. His win he said was “… the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.” What a statement.
My unpopular prediction. Everybody wants a piece of Obama, and no country more than Kenya. I however have a very unpopular prediction that Kenyans don’t want to hear- Obama will not visit Kenya during his term(s)! Kenyans imagine that he will sort out all our problems, do all our roads, put dollars wads in our pockets and solve our relationship issues. Hell no! He is an American president and a visit to any country by an American president is a well-thought out event that is calculated to make a statement. His predecessors have given Kenya a huge miss in the past years and unless we address the reasons why Bush or Clinton preferred to visit Tanzania, Rwanda, Senegal, etc and not our “island of peace amidst a sea of chaos”, then we should forget Obama’s “homecoming”. Michelle and the girls will visit. So will the Obama groupies like Oprah, who may even do projects here and use their “star” power to boost tourism and enhance our profile, but the president will give us a huge miss. The sooner we get a grip to this reality the better.
Lessons for Kenya. If we don’t take a few lessons from this election, then I don’t know if we can ever learn anything. The Kenyan public was exposed to the best democratic practices in the world. I hope as a country that we can take something going forward. What are the lesions? Fairplay, institutions vs. Personalities, violence free campaigns, issue based debates, organised campaigns, etc
Lessons for youth. The campaign slogan of “Yes we can” is very powerful and to see “the skinny kid with a funny name” come from “nothing” to something, from nowhere to the most powerful office on land is a lesson that every young person with real or imagined disadvantages should take seriously. All things are possible.
A "where were you moment?" Obama’s victory joins the list of defining moments in history. Every country has a list of such moments and they are best played in discussions around where an individual was at such a crucial moment. November 5th joins my list of such moments. Others during my time include, the fall of the Berlin wall, Nairobi Bomblast, 9/11, the high of 2002 NARC election results, the low of 2007 election results etc. This is the stuff that I will delight my grandchildren with. Anybody who doubts can ponder about this:- A black man in White House, a black first lady, a Catholic Vice President, a first term black Senator goes running for presidency.
My Diary. Thanks to my American friend, SG and his lady LZ, George and I spent the early night of 4th November at a barbeque in Spring Valley around colleagues and friends. We watched CNN news and Americans started their voting day. We exchanged banter on the different scenarios. With a mini UN on the guest list everybody had a question for our American host. What is the basis of the electoral colleges? What are swing states? Etc. Because of dropping kids to school and work, we had to leave after 11.00 pm. I work up a few minutes to five and was glued to the TV until the president-elect made his acceptance speech a few minutes to 8.30 am. Hey, work could wait a while. This was big stuff.
I had earlier promised to bring the kids along for the celebrations. Gregory got the chance to see the crowds following the elections from the big screens mounted outside KICC on his way to school. I hope that in the course of the day an appropriate celebration for kids will emerge, otherwise adult Nairobian are partying very hard tonight. I will be part of that big party somehow, sometime.
Tomorrow morning I will sit my children, Gregory and Natasha down and tell them the story of the Kenyan-American “skinny boy with a funny name” and what it means for them to be all they can be. I will enjoy giving this lesson.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Obama Win. Kenya, Steel Thyself
Improbable. Yes it’s a historic moment. For black people in America. For all people of colour across the world. Yes its a delirious moment for Kenyans. America has redeemed herself from a dark history of disenfranchised citizens and a past of slavery and gone ahead to prove to the world that democracy does work and the fabled American Dream complete with the accompanying ideals is a viable concept. Yes all things are possible.
The Tears. I want to admit that I shed my share to honour this moment. The thought that a black family first family can reside in the White House with Malia and Shasha frolicking on those hallowed Pennsylvania Avenue lawns with the puppy Dad promised is such a powerful image that I just let go and allowed the tears to flow freely. Who would have thought? Many black people had wished and prayed for his win, but were not convinced that white voters could see beyond his skin colour. Rev. Jesee Jackson cried too. So did Oprah and lots of white and black folks everywhere.
The Public Holiday. President Kibaki was quicker to the draw than President Bush by congratulating Senator Obama on the win before anyone else (at least according to our media houses). Along with that, he also declared 6th November a public holiday-just like I had predicted. This will allow Kenyans to celebrate our Cousin Obama’s victory.
The Acceptance Speech. His speech as expected paid tribute to the historical moment ushering in a black man into the American presidency, special tribute to his opponents Mc Cain and Palin, to the enduring power of American ideals, to the American people reiterating that they “will always be the united States of American”, to Republican voters while promising that he will be “your president too”. Using his campaign clarion call he promised that “change has come to America” He also thanked his campaign team by calling David Ploufee the “unsung hero” of the campaign as well as recognising David Axelrod. He had special mention for Michelle, “his best friend for 16 years, his family rock and America’s next first lady”. Other members of his nucleus and extended family he mentioned include daughters Malia and Shasha, late grandma Madelyn, half sister Maya, step sister Auma, other brothers and sisters. He also mentioned Ann Nixon Cooper and used her 106 years as a backdrop of the landmark changes that had taken place in the American society. His win he said was “… the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.” What a statement.
My unpopular prediction. Everybody wants a piece of Obama, and no country more than Kenya. I however have a very unpopular prediction that Kenyans don’t want to hear- Obama will not visit Kenya during his term(s)! Kenyans imagine that he will sort out all our problems, do all our roads, put dollars wads in our pockets and solve our relationship issues. Hell no! He is an American president and a visit to any country by an American president is a well-thought out event that is calculated to make a statement. His predecessors have given Kenya a huge miss in the past years and unless we address the reasons why Bush or Clinton preferred to visit Tanzania, Rwanda, Senegal, etc and not our “island of peace amidst a sea of chaos”, then we should forget Obama’s “homecoming”. Michelle and the girls will visit. So will the Obama groupies like Oprah, who may even do projects here and use their “star” power to boost tourism and enhance our profile, but the president will give us a huge miss. The sooner we get a grip to this reality the better.
Lessons for Kenya. If we don’t take a few lessons from this election, then I don’t know if we can ever learn anything. The Kenyan public was exposed to the best democratic practices in the world. I hope as a country that we can take something going forward. What are the lesions? Fairplay, institutions vs. Personalities, violence free campaigns, issue based debates, organised campaigns, etc
Lessons for youth. The campaign slogan of “Yes we can” is very powerful and to see “the skinny kid with a funny name” come from “nothing” to something, from nowhere to the most powerful office on land is a lesson that every young person with real or imagined disadvantages should take seriously. All things are possible.
A "where were you moment?" Obama’s victory joins the list of defining moments in history. Every country has a list of such moments and they are best played in discussions around where an individual was at such a crucial moment. November 5th joins my list of such moments. Others during my time include, the fall of the Berlin wall, Nairobi Bomblast, 9/11, the high of 2002 NARC election results, the low of 2007 election results etc. This is the stuff that I will delight my grandchildren with. Anybody who doubts can ponder about this:- A black man in White House, a black first lady, a Catholic Vice President, a first term black Senator goes running for presidency.
My Diary. Thanks to my American friend, SG and his lady LZ, George and I spent the early night of 4th November at a barbeque in Spring Valley around colleagues and friends. We watched CNN news and Americans started their voting day. We exchanged banter on the different scenarios. With a mini UN on the guest list everybody had a question for our American host. What is the basis of the electoral colleges? What are swing states? Etc. Because of dropping kids to school and work, we had to leave after 11.00 pm. I work up a few minutes to five and was glued to the TV until the president-elect made his acceptance speech a few minutes to 8.30 am. Hey, work could wait a while. This was big stuff.
I had earlier promised to bring the kids along for the celebrations. Gregory got the chance to see the crowds following the elections from the big screens mounted outside KICC on his way to school. I hope that in the course of the day an appropriate celebration for kids will emerge, otherwise adult Nairobian are partying very hard tonight. I will be part of that big party somehow, sometime.
Tomorrow morning I will sit my children, Gregory and Natasha down and tell them the story of the Kenyan-American “skinny boy with a funny name” and what it means for them to be all they can be. I will enjoy giving this lesson.
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