Barack Obama-His Presidency ‘An  audacity of hope’ to the White House

                  By Alagi Yorro Jallow

It is imperative for me as someone who is interested in politics and as a student of government and someone with an innate political aspiration of my own to dissect the ever-changing landscape of America’s geopolitics and ascertain how Barack Obama, this son of a Luo (an ethnic group in Kenya), has all but attained a position that has until now been dominated solely by whites—that of winning presidential candidate for a party.

When Barack Obama first entered the presidential race, I felt, as I presume many voters did, that his candidacy would be similar to that of Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton—important historically, but ultimately short-lived. Now that he has proven that he has a good chance of becoming the next president of the United States, the question arises, how has he set himself apart? How has his candidacy been so successful?

The signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 brought blacks into mainstream politics; it restored their once dimmed dignity and identity as American citizens, though it did not give them any real political or economic power. For African Americans, continuing racism in this country has meant that the right to vote has until now constituted at least in part the right to vote for obscure African American candidates that surely couldn’t win—yet they voted for them anyway. With their trying history and the continued stereotyping that is associated with the black race—endemic diseases, abject poverty, and a status as the race with the highest crime rate—they have lagged behind other groups in almost every facet of life, despite being longtime residents of what is arguably the richest and most technologically advanced country in the world. How has Obama risen above the prejudice and the harsh reality of black America to become accepted by white Americans?

To answer this question, it is important to look at who Barack Obama is and examine how his candidacy has evolved. The first time I heard of Obama was when he made his debut on the national stage as keynote speaker at the Democratic national convention in 2004, when he delivered that spirited speech, similar to Martin Luther King’s in its power. I later read that he had a white mother and an African father from the Luo ethnic group in Kenya. Even then he was popular, with a great number of people supporting him despite his mixed heritage. Those born to parents of two distinct races are often looked down upon by many members of both races; this bigotry by some has undoubtedly been a tiresome and often recurring blight in Obama’s life, and more so because he has chosen a life in the public sector. And yet, there is the hope that his unique, blended heritage and his freshness (not having been born to a wealthy or politically successful or ambitious family)—traits which carry a broader political originality—will bring about a change that no other presidential candidate can. This hope, this possibility for change, is the reason for much of his success.

Obama is a voice against racism—against both segregation and identity politics. Obama’s speech on race and politics given ( Tuesday,March,18 2008) is already being hailed as one of the most powerful discourses on race ever given by a politician. In his speech Obama made an appeal for unity and presented an optimistic view of the willingness of most Americans to try and work through some racial issues that continue to divide the country. Governor Bill Richardson said when he endorsed Obama: “Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country that is long overdue, and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together and bridging our differences can we succeed together as Americans” (speech given March 25, 2008). Obama’s interracial background gives him a “raciallessness” that is politically appealing to whites and blacks alike. “I am a son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas,” Obama said. “I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on earth is my story even possible” (speech given March 18, 2008). In this country that has been called the “melting pot” of the world, Obama may be evidence that much of the prejudice that once existed is finally gone. This ability to break down racial barriers by inspiring a shared vision with those of all ethnic groups is another reason that Obama has been so successful.

In life people do well because of their passion, charisma, strength and determination to succeed. This draws others to them, and much is asked of them not because they are black or white but based on their contribution to society. Their own sense of responsibility is always their greatest asset. Senator Obama opposed the war in Iraq early on and has been a community organizer in Chicago helping the poor and the needy. This willingness to give to society is another reason that Obama has been successful.

And finally, Obama is a plausible presidential candidate today because he is naturally persuasive. Because of that great power of persuasion, Obama is well on his way to success. And yet, the way to truly succeed is to drop the mask and move beyond the obsession with identity, and to honestly, openly reveal what he truly believes as an individual. Only by letting people know what he truly stands for, rather than merely spouting rhetoric about change, can he really show himself to the American people and allow them to know who they will be voting for in November in that historic election.

Author is a candidate for a Masters in Public  Administration (MPA)Harvard’s John F.Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.