Obama-change

“Change has come to America,” Barack Obama [1]

By becoming the first African American to be elected President of the United States of America Barack Hussein Obama II epitomises “change” not just change in the American political landscape but a change in the mindset of Americans. A black man has become the 44th President of one of the most historically racist countries in the world; he has been embraced by both the black and white community. It is almost as if the words of orator Martin Luther King, Jr. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal[2]” had come to life. The American society, while race was still and issue for many, suddenly was not as myopic as once perceived. Indeed, “change has come to America”.

This change was not limited to America, Obama has through his great speeches, changed the mindset of the world. To truth of this statement is seen even today when one comes across a Barack Obama t-shirt, Obama family photographs on sale and the seamless insertion of the catch phrase “Yes we can” into daily conversation. So strong was his impact that he was labelled a “rock star” because of his ability to pull large audiences during his campaign[3] - everyone wanted to hear him speak and for those who could not be there in person they closely followed the media. His pull is strong even now, months are being elected and days after being inaugurated on January 20, 2009. An example of this is seen in the Jamaica Observer’s January 28, 2009 editorial which states, “For the first time in its 15-year history, the Sunday edition of the Observer’s print run — which was increased by 50 per cent for the occasion — completely sold out, because it offered a free full-colour poster of the first Black president of the United States, Mr Barack Obama.”

This is also seen where a teacher in wanting her students to be exposed to this historic moment took her own television to school so that her class could watch the inauguration ceremony, after which they were required to do an assignment on what it means to them.

It is no stretch of the truth to say Obama has the power to move the world. But how will he use this new found power? Some political pundits are hopeful that he will change some of the US policies towards the region and Cuba. While others have already started to doubt his ability to do what he promising as they say his inheriting an economy in recession means he will only have eyes for the US. I however beg to differ, while he is busy trying to select people who can best assist him to pull America out of recession he is also reaching out to the region. This for me is evident in his upcoming attendance at the fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April. The theme of the Summit is: "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability"[4] at which it is expected that there will be some kind of policy approach post Summit.

While I must agree with Dr. Trevor Munroe, that “Persons expecting special favours for the region will be disappointed" [5]I believe that we should be hopeful that the winds of “change” will blow on the Caribbean.

[1] Excerpt from the election victory speech of President Barack Obama on November 04, 2008.

[2] Excerpt taken from http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

[3] See the Jamaica Gleaner Sunday February 01, 2009 section E. Article Obamarley Barack strikes a familiar chord with message of change and unity.
[4] Taken from the Summit of Americas website: http://fifthsummitoftheamericas.org/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=72
[5] Taken from the Sunday Gleaner article Obama's Caribbean challenge - How will new US president deal with Jamaica and the region? On January 18