So the question I keep on hearing on and on is: why should one care about the US politics and why is everyone onto this Obamania?
Here are my views:
Whether one likes it or not, we live in a global world and by global world I mean we all pretty much use (and abuse) the same international brands whether clothes, cars, foods, TV programmes. Whether we like it or not, from the small farmer looking to sell his seeds to the large oil company looking to buy cheap refined oil, we have all become dependent to a certain degree to other countries and international companies. This has unfortunately meant that, whether we like it or not, and more importantly, whether we are conscious or not, we are dependent on foreign influence.
So if you think you can carry on living your little life, independently of what is happening out there, you are making a mistake. We should all be responsible citizens, as each of our daily actions has an impact on others somewhere either in our communities or somewhere else in the planet. Either the water we consume, the products we buy, the TV that we watch, the clothes that we wear ... everyone of these actions is having an impact, positive or negative as it may me on others. Moreover, thanks to our "democracies", by voting or deciding not to vote, we accept or condemn policies employed by our governments that will have impact to millions of people out there. From energy bills, to programs of war. Pretending it is not there, or not your problem, is actually a selsfish act.
What is also a fact you should be aware of is that the Western lifestyle is still the dominant one, and it is lead mainly from the US. Our jeans, our McDonalds, our TV programmes. This is having an effect on other cultures on a daily basis. Either because they adopt the same culture, or because they adopt the exact opposite one to make a point. By consuming those products and ideas, we are expanding this view of the world. So our choices, once more, do impact others out there.
This therefore means, in my view, that elections across the planet, specially in those countries that have such an influence and impact in the rest of the planet, such as the G8, G20 etc are everyone's business. Because my accepting those elections, we are accepting the policies that will impact the rest of the planet. By ignoring those and pretending it is none of our business, one is also taking a decision that whatever those governments do are correct. Many of us are lucky to live in relative democracies, by not participating, by not acting "because our little lives are more important" we are committing crimes against hundreds of thousands, not to say millions, of people in other parts of the world. By accepting that genocides are happening, by accepting unfair wars/invasions, by accepting that our governments sponsor civil wars in other parts of the world by either supplying weapons, or by harbouring bank accounts of those corrupt rulers, we are accepting those and being accomplices to such events. You are all aware that in a court, if you were aware of a crime and did nothing to stop it, you are as guilty for not doing anything. Why should this be any different.
Now, going back to Obama himself and why he created such a global enthusiasm amongst minorities, youth and people around the world.
Not just because of his multicultural background, but mainly because for the first time in many decades, we have had a man, a humanist, a visionary who has had the courage to speak up and wanting change from the current state of world affairs. For the first time, this man gave hope to millions of people inside and outside his country, that there are still values and ideals we should all be fighting for in our day to day lives. And he meant it. We have had many politicians who have made empty promises and didnt even try to change a thing once in power. This man meant it and is trying. In an era where anyone who tries to stand up fight for justice is considered as terrorist, this man is trying to change corrupt policies and establishement, via the peaceful route. Many thought Ghandi would not be able to achieve his goals as he did not fight with violence, but he did it. It took time, but he did it.
I find those who critize Obama these days, should rather be giving realistic ideas for him to implement change. And by realistic, I mean by not making him take decisions that will then lead to his assassination, as he won't be much of use once dead.
I also think, most of us are so disillusioned with the world we live in, we believe there is little we can do. One of the reasons why I admire Obama, is not so much because he is the President of the US, far from it, I admire the work this man has done to date. It is easy to look down on all the work he did in the streets of Chicago because he did not have a big bang impact on the rest of the planet. But here is a reality: we are so used to being selfish and self centered, that we rather not do anything for others, no matter how small that may be, using the excuse it wont change the world. Well, I totally disagree with that view. If we become responsible consumers, if we adopt, if we give to charity, if we get involved in local communities, prisons, mentoring youth in difficulty, this is will ultimately have an impact in at least 1 person's life, and this will mean less 1 problem on this planet. What is the world if not the sum of each individual's contribution?
