Skip to main content

There's something about Obama...


Ok, so I am not American. But there is an attachment of sorts. I lived there for a year when I was sixteen and the incredible experience of living in small town America as an exchange student will stay with me for ever. Ever since, I love going  to America ( the shopping, the food, and not to forget my one and only bro and our many dear friends who live there!). Nevertheless I am a sceptic about the whole 'America is great' ideology that all (sorry most) Americans profess and hence cannot call myself one of the country's biggest fans.  So it is with much surprise that I found myself following the American elections so closely. Thanks to the media, by default I think we all know a thing or two about American politics and I am certain a large majority of the world's TV owning population watched the elections live and waited with baited breath for America to choose a new president.  And like me, I don't think most of them cared as much about the policies, political agendas and the other debatable nuances that were the crux of the elections. What we were keeping our eye on was Barack Obama. And all we cared about was, "Will he be re elected?" 

Any why? If we didn't care about his political agendas, what was it about him that spurred us to will him to win. As the votes were tallied and the news rooms declared him a winner, why did we feel so proud?, why did  we feel a surge of adrenaline rush through us? It doesn't really make sense  But then again maybe it does. Four years ago, this handsome, incredibly smart and savvy black senator became the 44th president of the United States of America.  Many did not believe that America was really ready for a black president. But they were. They had chosen and the whole world looked at America with a smile on their face. 

Now putting aside the fact of whether he did or did not do a good job, whether he will be able to deliver in the coming term or not, what he does do is this- he inspires and projects a feeling of hope and optimism. Young and old, the believers and the non believers, the impressionable and the impervious, we draw a certain strength from whatever it is he projects. Just what that is, I can't put a name on. But yes, there's something about Obama... 

Comments

  1. Sojo VarugheseNovember 8, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    There is something about Obama and that's why they use the word 'hope' (I guess) in their campaign :)
    '

    Great read!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. RSNovember 20, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    Not to take away from Obama at all, but I believe there is something about Romney too. Something about that smirk, the forced smile, the shifty eyes!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lobo Rebello's- 2024 Family Update

the girls at our big fab family wedding disclaimer: I struggled with blogger this year, every time I added a photo everything else did a merry dance and moved aroound. So ignore the blank spaces, the odd formatting, irregular font. Either I am losing my graphic skills or the app needs an urgent update. Nevertheless in a bid to take this to press before midnight, I am publishing this as is. I know you will be kind. P.S. If you have an option, view it in mobile view Dear friends and family, 'All roads lead to Rome'! This seems to literally be the Lobo Rebello mantra. No matter where we go, what we do, somehow, we always find ourselves on a road back to the Eternal city. And so, it is here that the Lobo Rebello's have gathered to celebrate the end of 2024. It is cold outside (a shock to the system of the three who spent the last 18 months in tropical paradise), but our hearts are warm, we feel at peace, we feel like we are home. The last month has been so hectic with the move ...
Post a Comment
Read more

We didn't just raise a strong girl, we raised a warrior

Neeira-in the last 18 years you have brought us much pride, love, and laughter. We watched you become a remarkable person with a strong moral compass. You often taught us, that speaking up for something even in the most uncomfortable of situations was ALWAYS worth it. You never hesitated to break the silence for what needed to be said. You took on stigmas and cycles and chains for you believed they needed to end. Your loyalty to your sisters, your mother tongue, and your mother land is inspiring. And your diligence and discipline for anything you take on is admirable. As you celebrate this milestone birthday on the cusp of the new adventure that awaits you, we wish that all your dreams come true. We hope a spicy plate of biryani will always bring you comfort, that you meet your favorite Bollywood stars someday, that you get to travel and travel and travel and go do a semester at sea.  You have heard us saying ever so often 'life is unfair' and you will experience this yourself ...
5 comments
Read more

Technological displays of affection strictly prohibited!

Its Saturday morning....Would have loved to sleep in but have been up since 6.30. We had three kids over for a sleepover last night and of course since its not a school day, they have to wake up on their own much before they really need too:) But that's fine, it gave me a chance to have an early morning lengthy cuppa out on the terrace. Though the younger kids are up and about my TEENAGER is fast asleep. Its the one day she gets to sleep in. I tell the younger kids to play quietly but its a tall order and though they are not extremely loud, their laughter, chatter and Lirayas periodical Liraya screams fill the house. I am on my computer by now and catching up with emails and Facebook. Suddenly there is a ping- new email alert. Who's it from? The TEENAGER! Apparently she is awake and sending me an email asking me to forward her her homework which comes to me weekly from school(another post on this later). She is directly below me. She doesn't think it necessary to walk up ...
4 comments
Read more