It is very difficult for any person of African descent, or any person for that matter, to ignore the historic event currently happening in America. The significance of an African American being one step away from the highest and most powerful office in the U.S.A. is more remarkable than Neil Amstrong's moon landing.
The question posed is: "What does Obama mean to sub-Saharan Africa?" This is his fatherland, the continent that he has kept close to his heart and has never been ashamed to be associated with, even as other bi-racial celebrities like Tiger Woods have chosen to distance themselves from their African roots. In short, beyond his stint at the white house, however it might be, what will be the most significant legacy of having a proudly African-American president to young Africans across the continent?
The answer to young Swazis is more complex that it is to those in democratic countries because despite the "Audacity of hope for a better country", ordinary Swazis have absolutely no chance of ever being the heads of States of their country. And their hope might as well remain nothing but pipe-dreams unless they step-up to the challenge as this young man has done. To dare to challenge convention is a revolutionary thing in itself. A black-man with a Kenyan father daring to cross-over to the mainstream voting population to profess his dream of a better America is as revolutionary as fighting for democracy in the country by any means necessary.It is hoped that there will be young Baracks coming from the population.
No comments:
Post a Comment