2008 4
The Barack Obama story is Barack Obama´s story
Published by MartinVarsavsky.net in General with No Comments
I am tired of hearing that Barack Obama will be the first African American President of the United States as if this is all he has to offer to the world. To people like myself who have grown up without seeing the world in racial terms, who have children of “mixed race” and don´t believe they do. For people who believe that filling up forms that declare you as a member of a “race” is wrong, the story of Barack Obama is not a story of an African American or a Black person becoming president. It is instead the story of an individual who at the right time, and at the right place had the right values and the right message and knew how to communicate it. It is the story, we all hope, of an individual who turns out to be a much better President than his predecessor, who can put together a great team of extremely talented people like himself, and helps America, and the world rebuild, after 8 years of poor policies and global damage.
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Gus on November 4, 2008 ·
Pregunta: ¿Hay gobernadores de estado de origen latinoamericano en USA?
Martin Varsavsky on November 4, 2008 ·
@ Rafa Garcia:
Well to me this is not a story of African slaves because not only is Barack Obama half African and half European in origin but spent all his childhood with the American European parents and practically did not know his African father but also his African family were not slaves. The more you dig into the Obama story the more you see that it is his story. If he represents anyone is the minorities in general, but in USA now the minorities put together….are the majority and WASPS are the minority or the biggest minority.
Rafa Garcia on November 4, 2008 ·
MV, you are right, but i´m not dealing with the education, skills or bio of Obama, i´m dealing with the HISTORICAL fact of a black man being president of the United States. After slavery, after Lincoln, after MLK, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks, after Mandela, even after James Brown 😉
Great news for humanity, a payback/reparation to all past injustices, and a good step in the good direction considering the potential of Barack Obama.
John Stokes on November 4, 2008 ·
Whilst I appreciate the intent of your post it does assumes that everyone has as liberal attitudes as you (and I) do. Being “the first African-American President” sends a very powerful message to those (millions of) people for whom race is important eg individuals who believe that they are constantly discriminated upon because of race, or those that believe your colour actually is a sign of weakness, strength or intelligence. If he becomes President it will speak volumes about what he has achieved and what Americans believe he will be able to achieve once President. If he becomes the first “African-American President” it also says a lot about what Americans have achieved and what they might be able to achieve in the future!
Mariano Marcos on November 4, 2008 ·
Let the issues be the issue.
An image for your post: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2992153434_9ee36fdfae_o.jpg
Got it from thecoolhunter
jmmata on November 4, 2008 ·
#2. Bill Richardson for instance…
George on November 4, 2008 ·
Absolutely right! Enough of mentioning race, religion or gender together with someone’s merit. Sounds like a merit doubles when achievement comes from a woman or a African American.
I understand the fact that to our society these facts have weight, but I hope some day only the effort will be considered.
Gustavo L on November 4, 2008 ·
@Gus
Yes, as a matter of fact I believe Bill Richardson the Governor of New Mexico mom is Mexican. Also, remember that Bill Richardson was running for the nomination of the Democratic Party before dropping out earlier this year. He (Richardson) is VERY intelligent.
Times are changing across the world. Its wonderful to see the playing fields level out. No longer the Allegory of the Caves as Plato described.
Wilson on November 5, 2008 ·
Martin-i believe in the American Dream again!!!!!
its the most beautiful day in my life!!!
YES WE DID IT !!!!!
Distinguidos Saludos
Wilson.
fonero on November 5, 2008 ·
so may we expect next your (opportunistic) change from clinton to obama foundation? Give them a few millions and you are invited to dinner with obama. It´s so easy to recognice you and relatively boring…
Juan on November 5, 2008 ·
I fully agree with you Martin, this is not about the first African American President of the United States, it’s about America choosing a talented man who will *hopefully* change the country. I’m jealous of America because they have this choice, I wish we could have a similar choice in Argentina one day…
Juan
Beauty on November 6, 2008 ·
I am equally fed up with Obama race rants, especially the part about his parents, that is just plain bad manners in the age of social networks. Even the BBC with its fleet of management consultants failed to see beyond race. When are people going to stop using those silly words? 1st black this or 1st non-white that? It belittles the achievement.
Barak Obama is already on version x of his Change project as he people around him continue to ask real questions. The Tom Peters reasons for supporting him is a compelling one for people to see beyond the race issue. Congratulations to the one that spoke about hope and change.
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Rafa Garcia on November 4, 2008 ·
Apart from that, absolutely right, let´s consider the fact in perspective. Let´s think of all the african slaves 300 years ago before now.
In historical terms, today the broken circle is finally and fortunately repaired. And this is good news in a time of bad news. Celebrate it as it is deserved.
Un saludo.