‘I have a dream’, the immortalised words of human rights activist Reverend Martin Luther King of 28th August 1963—a dream which amongst many things prophesied that an individual would be judged not by the color of their skin but the content of their character.
A part of this dream came true on the evening of the November 4 as Barack Hussein Obama was declared the new president elect of the United States of America. This was a momentous occasion for America, and for the world as a whole.
As this news spread, celebrations were witnessed in distant parts of the world. The first black president destined for the White House was seen as the realisation of a dream of the Great Reverend.
Obama’s win is seen as a triumph of ability over race, of merit over money, and of a commoner over an aristocrat. Less obvious but nonetheless important were the facts that Obama won on the back of strong white-youth support—both at elections and in the campaign leading to this historic change.
Credit to John McCain, Obama’s rival who congratulated the new president on his win and proclaimed him (Obama) as his (McCain’s) president. Only in America can the fight for the top job be as competitive and only in America can a win be accepted so gracefully. This may explain why America has produced so many great leaders; not withstanding the few outliers!
The atmosphere in Washington DC on the night of this win was simply electric. As your correspondent in the city while the polls were being tallied, I had the pleasure of witnessing this historic moment close-range.
The jubilation on the streets of Washington of the Obama victory was infectious. People were hugging each other—black and white. The city was steaming with people. The White House was surrounded by a chanting and joyous crowd. Horns were blaring all around. Perched on the ninth floor of an excellent hotel was hardly quiet enough for any sleep that night.
Where else can you expect a member of a minority community to win the top job in the land? Afro-American, Blacks as they are commonly known, comprise less than 15 percent of the total population. Obama, born on 4 August 1961 in Honolulu Hawaii is of mixed heritage. His father, Obama Senior, was from Kenya while his mother Ann Dunham was a white American from Kansas. Race has been a fact of Obama’s life, but one that has not stopped him from aspiring to the top-job.
Time for change
Obama won on the back of a majority white-youth vote. This is a clear sign of a generational shift from a preoccupation with race in the US. Obama’s rallies attracted large White support. His campaign machinery was dominated by Whites. Two of my close friends took time off work to spread the mantra of ‘Time for change’. America has traversed a long journey on race relations in the past (short) half a century. Obama would not have been able to vote in some states just fifty years ago—forget contesting for the office of the president.
McCain’s speech conceding defeat reassures us that democracy is alive and well in America. It is hard to imagine a similar celebration in other democracies following a win of a meritorious candidate who happened to belong to a minority community. As a matter of fact, I cannot think of any nation where such a win has lasted and less so celebrated as in the US.
I cannot help but recall the tumultuous events following the changes in governments in Fiji in 1987 and 1999. The first saw a commoner oust a high chief from the office of the Prime Minister. Reason enough for a military coup and the overthrow of a democratically elected government. The second saw an Indo-Fijian take office of PM following another election; reason enough for yet another coup.
Can the Pacific islands aspire to have leaders chosen on merit rather than on the basis of clan, ethnicity, region, religion, etc? This is particularly obvious in PNG, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu where tribal allegiance and cargo count for more than most other attributes of the aspirants for public office.
We are less sensitive about race, religion, etc, of our doctor or engineer. Could this be the reason why we have produced the best professionals but yet lack visionary leaders?
The Pacific islands region gives maximum opportunities for national leadership—we, after all, have more nations per capita than any other region on the planet. Yet, we have produced less than a handful of great leaders ever. Why? Is it because clan and cargo have counted for more than ability and dedication to public service in the choice of our leaders?
A former Prime Minister of Fiji and one who championed for some of the most racists policies in the land has suggested that there is a possibility of a member of the minority community taking up the office of the PM—but not now, he circumscribes! Why not the best person for the job? Why not now?
The Pacific islands region has never witnessed the same degree of discrimination that was experienced in Africa, Australia, or America just decades ago. Why is it too early for merit to prevail over race in the choice of our leaders?
Obama and the Pacific
Obama is due to be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on 20th of January 2009. Preparations were underway for this ceremony on the lawns of the White House as early as November 19.
Born in Hawaii and having spent some of his childhood in Indonesia, the new president has knowledge of and exposure to the Asia-Pacific region. This is more than what most Americans resident on the East Coast can claim.
Expectations on what Obama will deliver are sky high. The Pacific can expect little from the president. The deteriorating state of the American economy and raging conflicts abroad leave little room for the new administration to spend much time or energy on the Pacific. Not so for at least the next couple of years.
The lessons for the region from the Obama win are many. The one dream I have is that our leaders of the future will be chosen not on the basis of their clan or cargo but on their capacity to serve the nation and the region at large. This is as much a challenge for our voters as it is for our leaders. Hope you will note the above when your next leader calls on your vote on the basis of race or personal favours. Happy Christmas!
