Dear Editor,
“While the younger generation jumped up and down and cheered and shouted, the members of the older generation were overcome by deeper emotions…” I could not help wondering if the media people were already taking the dust covers off the American mid-’70s TV mini-series about the uprooting of people from Africa to be sold and used as slaves in America − Roots by Alex Haley. The screening of this masterpiece should be of interest to the under-30 generation. One of my (white) colleagues told me, at the time, that throughout the screening “there was not a dry eye in the house” in her family of six.
The categories mentioned in your editorial as helping Barack Obama to victory were African-Americans, Hispanics and young whites. Let us not overlook the many, many women who batted initially for Hillary Clinton but switched loyalties at a later stage. Women, many of them first-time voters, came out in droves. I was impressed with the 100+ year old lady in a wheelchair: she was so ‘with it.’
A further quote from the editorial: “It must hardly seem believable that the marches from Selma to Montgomery have finally ended in Pennsylvania Avenue. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in a bus to a white man – the catalyst of the civil rights
struggle – the year was 1955…” I remember it well, and I think the following line sums it for me: “Rosa sat so Martin could walk. Martin walked so Barack could run. Barack ran so our children can fly.”
Barack and Michelle Obama, the scintillating couple, will leave their mark on US presidential life. He is a natural leader and will be a very strong and determined head of state; his wife will be the same in the domestic sphere, her requests sometimes taking the staff by surprise. They will both expect total commitment from those chosen to help them.
At the same time, much is expected of the Obamas. Let us hope this hard-working couple live up to expectations.
Incidentally, I strongly agree with both letter-writers in your issue of November 7 about mothers being able to rear youngsters singlehandedly, to be successful in life. A mother makes a home. In her absence, a caring, loving female relative should be able to perform this function. Barack Obama is a splendid example of supportive female parenting and grand-parenting.
Yours faithfully,
Geralda Dennison
“African Americans, Hispanics and young whites(Caucasians)” are races and/or ethnic groups of which women belong. Picky, picky,picky ……..!
Barack Obama has crossed the Rubicon: as President-elect he has overcome the natural barrier between him and the Presidency. The American electorate, by a considerable majority, has transcended the racial barrier and put a black man in power. The task for him now will be to unite the nation beyond party lines as he grapples as the worst economic crisis of the generation. This is a “sine qua non” for success- and he knows it.
The lesson for Guyana is clear. Put away racial differences. Unite behind the elected government and bring all criminals to justice. Abandon the strategy of political expediency. Make the country attractive for visitors, tourists and those wishing to return to their native land. Boost the morale of the nation by uniting beyond party and racial lines. Let it be known that in Guyana the rule of law prevails and there will be zero tolerance for crime- and that includes members of the Government and of the Official Opposition. Restore confidence and you will prosper.
The alternative is to continue in the primitive ways of racial intolerance and disunity- and perish!
Geralda my friend, human behavior responds to fear and death or love and hate in similar fashion, regardless of race or creed. Remember, that our similarities are much greater than our differences, and as such, our differing physical appearances are nothing but the three dimensional houses that we need to exist in this earth atmosphere.
As a result of this cultural socialization called America, I like to say, that black folks are basically white folks in black skin and vice versa. And that we are nibbling along the edges to find those morsels of differences to blow up. Simply because we’re all responding to the same existing value system, the same economic system, the same education system and the same government tax system. Again we have much more in common than we would like to admit and those differences are becoming harder and harder to pin point every day.
The political effect of an Obama’s bandwagon, motivates all and sundry the same way, in short, everyone loves a winner and Obama was a sure winner going somewhere to happen. However, I still think that the key to Obama’s electoral success was first the bare-knuckle fight to the end with Hillary Clinton and then her open convention concession to him. And secondly, Obama’s relentless and non-stop tactics of tying Mc Cain to Bush.
I do agree that the civil rights struggle and history, with all of those larger than life personalities and sacrifices, was fertile ground on which an astute politician like Obama could germinate into a non racial leader for all peoples.
Ms. Geralda Dennison I must say I really enjoyed reading your article. I am very proud to share this dream with the American People, I am a citizen here, coming from Guyana 20 years ago. In many carribean countries the leaders are Negroes and we are proud of that but here in America this is the first time an African American ever got elected. He got my vote and I am sooooooooo happy. But we are still having problems the white people will not and cannot accept it, in my office the white people stopped talking to us now. They will start talking back in their own time I said, when they see that everything that he said he is going to do he ACHIEVES IT that would be when they are going to want to hold conversations with me and I will let them know up front I am not interested in talking to you now.
Because as they said that a Nigger ( excuse this word please ) can never be the president here in America, this is what a few of the people in my office said so I am just being straight forward. He is going to have TWO TERMS in that White House. Good luck to my President Barrack H. Obama and may God cover you with his Blood in everything that you do. YES, WE CAN.
Is it that you are living and working in one of those DEEP, BLOOD RED state, why your white colleagues won’t speak to you since Obama won?
I’m on the East Coast and even some of those McCain supporters on Staten Island, NYC are saluting Obama’s victory
Gimme a break. It is easy to get carried away in the Third World and be day dreaming of America. Point of note. Most Americans voted and it does NOT matter what gender. We do not care. We need change that’s all.
Hey Caesar
Everyone wants to get their face in the sun
I am in Florida, and there is more of it here. Including months of hurricanes.I do not think Guyanese would like to experience a hurricane.
I am living in North Carolina honey and they are racist. I moved from New York here 5 years ago to get out of a battered marriage. Malaika I am sooooooo proud of his victory and will support him all the way sis. I am a democrat forever. Let us pray for his safe PROTECTION at all times.