Obama has become another Moses to the world

Dear Editor,

Change is inevitable, like it or not it’s gonna come. Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion, reasoned that you can beat them (the system) at the game only if you are prepared to challenge the odds. Barack Obama’s victory has proved that theory right once more. When Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion in 1912, it was a proud and defining moment for blacks in the USA; that victory stood them tall and they wore it like a badge of honour, even though it brought no change to the inhuman manner in which they were treated.

The Obama victory has brought much greater pride for black people the world over. It has changed the tone of world politics permanently. It was said of Johnson that he was a true black hero, because a true black hero had to strike a double blow: one for himself and one for the people from which he was born − two victories. Obama, by becoming president has achieved the one for himself; he is now saddled with the herculean task of winning the other for the world and his people.

It is almost impossible to fathom the feelings and thoughts of American blacks, especially those who are over fifty years of age and have lived through the wretched, racist and oppressive times, and who stood transfixed during the inauguration. What were they thinking about this change of order, when previously only white millionaires from among the ruling class were eligible contenders; when a grand, superbly constructed edifice called the White House in which the President will serve his term, was built by the sweat and blood of their ancestors who were slaves and now at long last, one from the flock has finally emerged to take command?

The sea of tears that flowed down countless faces was something too deep, spiritual, and soulful to fathom; just meditating on some of the faces in an effort to get a peek into their heads was enough to move us to tears (thanks to both Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News for those candid pictures). There was the gathering of Kenyans, both young and old, intently focused around a small old model TV mounted on a stool standing on a table, and who could say exactly why so many US soldiers in Iraq shed tears? There were so many anecdotes that we heard of or read, such as a woman taking her dead father’s spectacles into the ballot booth, so she could watch herself vote for a black man through her father’s eyes − how touching; Bill Cosby taking pictures of his dead father, aunt, uncle, and other relatives, and saying “OK, let’s do this together,” and many more similar untold acts.

The teary-eyed reactions across the globe of different races cannot be comprehended by mere words; never before in modern history has an electoral victory for one man caused as many tears as the loss of lives. It was for blacks the tears of centuries; of bottled up emotionalism on the reflection of many wrongs and injustices, of shattered dreams and the lives of loved ones lost at the hands of racial bigotry. It was also for many tears of joy and renewed hopes and dreams; a sigh of relief after eight long years of despair and bush wars, for a new beginning and a brighter future − cleansing tears! All faith, trust and responsibility are now placed on the narrow but tough shoulders of President Barack Obama. And those are some of the things, I think, that moved the world to tears, and that is why the world is so sympathetic and optimistic, and has boarded his train. He has now become to the world another Moses. Can he deliver us? Let’s hope that with the help of the Supreme Authority he accomplishes his vision.

Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe