Better But

I am a little disappointed with my new`ish' found attempt to be rational and look at both sides of an argument dispassionately.

I have always been a rather dogmatic, argumentative, stubborn, willful character who wallows when he or those he passionately supports loses and beams when he wins. These are not always very attractive traits. I have tried hard (to differing degrees of success) to change... but there is a significant downside.

Even 4 years ago, I would be loudly singing and beaming at Obama's victory. Democrats are good. Republicans are evil. An African-American in the white house not even 50 years since America became a democracy (i.e. since non-whites were allowed to vote.) The world can change!

So, why am I hesitant? Well... and this is a huge plus, I think Obama got in well before the momentous change that allows people to be treated equally had arrived. His magnetism and use of viral marketing meant we have got this potential catalyst for the changes we need to see. But we would be blind to believe that this is evidence that change has already occurred.

97% of African-Americans voted for Obama. Clearly they are not colour blind. Some of the comments people made about Obama being a Muslim (and thus `evil') and not being American were poignant reminders of how far we have to go.

The world is still deeply divided. The announcement of Obama's victory on the news was followed by news of bombs from Gaza, and Bin Laden's son's failed attempt to get political asylum in Spain.

Still reading Haidt's book on happiness, he talks about how `evil' in the form of violence is possible on small scales, but for true genocide and atrocities, you need idealism and religious fervour. You need a belief that an end justifies the means.

People still cling to aggressively to false truths and the world is still a scary place.

But, I think Obama's victory is a sign of potential change. And I think the world moves forward. Let's hope that in 50 more years (which is very very short a timescale), race is treated as no more significant than the colour of your eyes and religious affiliation is no reason for the deep divides we currently face.

As for me, I am going to try suspend looking at other perspectives and just passionately celebrate a momentous occasion.