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Obama’s Inaugration Resonates in the Motherland
Published by Pamela Gentry on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 5:02 am.By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst
Jan. 19, 2008 – On Election Day thousands of miles away in Kenya a group of international visitors vacationing at a coastal resort put their holiday plans on hold to watch and wait for election results. The same may happen on Tuesday when President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president.
Violet Hobwe, a physician from Virginia and a native of Kenya told me, “Everyone was crazy with excitement and euphoric.” Hobwe said the group of tourist from the continent and Europe stayed up all night to hear the news. Kenyans began a celebration on Election Day. “The next day [Nov.5] was made a national holiday,” she said.
Kenya’s interest in the election was heighten because President-Elect Barack Obama’s father was born in the East African Country. Hobwe who came to the U.S to attend medical school at Howard University said Kenyans feel an enormous amount of pride, “Everyone felt it’s one of our sons, isn’t this completely incredible.”
But Obama’s international appeal hasn’t been limited to Africa. Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley of Rice University told the Baltimore Sun, “He’s telling the whole world it doesn’t matter if you grew up poor or had dark skin. You can be a world leader.” That idea resonates around the world, including “Kenya or Indonesia [and] Pakistan and Colombia and beyond.”
Francis Dickson, a native of Ghana agrees, “It’s [Obama’s win] really helped our election, they learned the power of the vote and people can get a fair and transparent government and leader.” Dickson understands the expectations are high when it comes to future relationships with the continent. The press is trying to temper expectations: “He’s not our president he’s our friend,” has been the overriding message.
Africa and U.S. have often had strained relationships but the Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique, Armando Panguene said, he’s looking forward to maintaining his good relationship with the White House on issues like AIDS, education for girls and gaining “equal footing on trade.”
Panguene told me 40 African countries have joined together to host a special inaugural ball Tuesday night in the nations capitol. Obama’s a symbol of a global success. “In Mozambique they have reflected on their own freedom,” he said.
No doubt on Jan. 20 as Obama is sworn in the whole world will be watching. BET’s International Network will air the swearing in ceremony in 27 countries in Africa.
david you don’t make any since and you keep believing that.
well i’am sad to not be there and someone mess up my passport inside the border custom.and no one know except god himself how much i support obama since day one.happy innauguration.
highest protestion for you and your family specialy today this world is crazy.
well i’am lad to be here to see this moment i suppose to be sleep for tomarrow but i wanted to send a message im only 14 years old (i had to miss school for this day) sorry school..
http://blogs.bet.com/news/pamela/2009/01/19/obamas-inaugration-resonates-in-the-motherland/
i agree with a lot that you say but there are still alot of very prejudice people and so unbelieveable in this day and age actually from what i have be
david you r stupid
Today is truly a blessed day in this nation. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would live to see this day happen. First of all CONGRATULATIONS to Obama and his family, may GOD continue to watch over you all and us as a nation. Secondly, to David, yes blacks have Aids due to actions that they chose to engage, so does other races. I agree with sheda, you are stupid. Aids has no certain color as to whom it infects. Lastly, a change has come and pray that it remains for the best.
Thank god america now has a president who understands the world we live in as he is from that world and can relate to it unlike any other american politican out there..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7NKIllut0I
its time for american blacks to educate themselves about africa properly, not just sit on sentiment . obama is your symbol and promise fufilled but he is also a son of the soil in kenya … trust me, he has now opened the floodgates for minorities in america who will take his lead… he has truely changed the landscape of american political thinking in a unique way .when i came on bet to say that obama would be your next president nearly 3yrs or so ago, i was attacked by certain posters who thought i was speaking nonsense because its not what most blacks are trained to think about..but for those of us who come from the diaspora and who see things differently it was always there for the taking… t first you have to believe in what and who you are.. in that obama is a one of a kind.. he knows who he is and where he is from.. cant beat that..ps kongelo loved the shoutout at the inauguration… !!
I don’t understand what’s the big deal I’m tired of hearing people say oh the first african american president you guys act like he 100% black are you forgetting he is half white …if anything make a big deal when there is a 100% black
Kiara,
the big deal is that he is the first african american president and he don’t have to be 100% black. he’s not half white his mother was white but that doesn’t make him half white. his reality and his experience and his perception is that he is black. deal with it. it is what it is. your probably too young to figure out what i mean so ask a black adult that you respect to explain it. president obama calling himself black doesn’t mean he disowns his white mother or grandparents at all it just means that he identifies with black america cause that’s the life he has lead. if you are biracial don’t take it personal just enjoy your black president..
Sheena,
You yourself have acknowledge that his mother is white, so that means he is half white because one of his parents is white. you make no sense in saying that he isn’t half white. you contradicted your own words, and if your referring to his life style being black, then you never read is bio.. the majority of the schools he attended where white. so his MOTHER introduced him to both races. wheather you like it or not, we have a biracial president.. so YOU accept it. i am 18 years old and i am old enough to know what i am talking about. so you go and ask an adult if you dont understand.
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