The importance of Obama's historic inauguration's is difficult to overstate. He is a politician, and I don't expect that government is what causes things to improve. If you want more direct criticism of the cult of the American Presidency... you don't have to look much further than Wilkinson and Torr (when he gets back from holidays and starts writing again).
While I share their cynicism about politicians... I do think there is a place for Heroes and Inspirational Communicators. Leaders don't do things, the people they lead do. But, I do think that sometimes, people do need a beacon. They need someone to be a symbol.
Perhaps Obama is just hot air. Perhaps he has said exactly the same things as previous politicians as they became the most powerful men in the world. But, we need something to believe in.
Mandela gave South Africa an aura to gather around. No doubt, Madiba is just a man, as flawed as any other... but the symbol which is likely bigger than the man did make a massive difference to dragging South Africa out of a very dark place.
Say what you want, but the Americans are a hardy nation of fighters who are likely to pick themselves up from most setbacks, and Obama provides that symbol around which to gather.
But beyond that, in the 3rd World and amongst the people at War with America... A black man with a second name like Hussein... is now the president of the USA. The world is changing.
The same cynical Wilkinson talks about the dramatic moral progress the world has made in the last 50 years. It is repulsively shocking to think of the ethical and moral depravity of what we used to find acceptable. It is disgusting the way women and people of colour were treated. It is beyond comprehension the level of hypocrisy and cruelty mankind has been capable of.
We have made incredible and fast progress. Obama's inauguration is not the end point by any stretch of the imagination, and the world's morality has a long way to progress still...
But I think we are in exciting times. While we need to take responsibility for sorting ourselves out and can't hope for some heroes to change the world for us...
More heroes is a good thing.
2 comments:
I'll probably respond on my blog, so short comment.
I think people have been doing an excellent job of overstating the importance of Obama's election. I've read a lot of nutty stuff in the past couple of months.
Obama's oratory skills are up there with the Clintons and Blairs of the generation, and they stand out even more when considering that the world has been suffering Bushims for the past 8 years.
What's unique about him is his honesty and determination to do the right thing. Perhaps that will corrupt over time, but for now this gives fresh hope to all the people of the world.
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