On Tuesday November 4, 2008, the world held its breath as America went to the polls to select its 56th President.
It was a contest like no other, a pivotal moment in time.
It was the day Barack Obama became the world’s most powerful man, and America’s first ever black president.
It was a remarkable feat for a man whose country had only 40 years before been so racially divided.
The electorate and the world was enthused, full of hope for real positive change. Two terms of the unpopular, warring George W. Bush plus the onset of a global recession meant people wanted a change and they got it.
“Can we do it? Yes we can!” they all chanted!
And then they waited for the promised change to come . . . and slowly it did. A gradual recovery was on the cards. Small maybe, but still enough for America to give Obama a second chance in 2012.
No wild celebrations or chants greeted his new incumbency, no stonking majority or popular mandate was to be had this time round. His ground breaking MediCare bill which would have seen millions of poverty-stricken Americans given proper medical care has been dragged over hot coals and now he seems muddled and unsure about how to proceed. Which is a tragedy. As in the UK, even though the US economy continues to strengthen the poor are getting poorer and homelessness is on the rise, as are the numbers on welfare.
Then there is his foreign policy or rather lack of it. At a time when the West needs strong leadership, direction and steely resolve we have self-doubt and a reticence to be involved. Appeasement and timid acceptance of what will be will be is all too evident, giving despots like Putin and maniacs like ISIS carte blanche to do what they want.
My thoughts have been drawn to Obama and his two terms in office this week for unfortunate reasons.
Next year America goes to the polls again to select a new president possibly the first female one in the shape of Hillary Clinton but the racial harmony and end of bigotry we all hoped would be the lasting legacy of Obama’s presidency is under threat.
Disaffected, disenfranchised, poor and angry black youths rampage and riot in US cities over the unjust treatment, torture and murderous ways of a few bigoted white policemen and subsequent slanted court judgements. The looting and carnage cannot be condoned, nor should it, but the destruction of black communities like Ferguson and Baltimore will continue unabated unless Obama gets a real grip of the situation on the ground. He must finally show strong, determined leadership and concern, not to mention financial support for those embattled communities who once trusted and believed in him. If he doesn’t the situation will spiral out of control.
As a bystander dryly joked, if you want a new TV, now you just have to wait for the next riot. A few angry mums clipping their sons round the ear for taking part won’t be enough to stop the chaos or save Obama’s skin.
I for one hope he does succeed, that he cracks down hard on racist law enforcers and those judges whose incredulous judgements make a mockery of their proud declaration that there should be truth and justice for all. I hope that when he walks out of the White House in November he can hold his head high knowing that, unlike Bush, he will be remembered for all the right reasons, not the wrong.
Can he fix it? He has to.
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