Obama
By Anita Day in Postcard from a Lincolnshire Liberal
Originally published by South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats
This is the latest in a series of postcards which Anita Day, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Grantham and Stamford has written to members and supporters. You can read other postcards at "Postcards from a Lincolnshire Liberal".
A little over 8 years ago, I found myself sitting up in bed in the middle of the night, whilst my husband slept beside me, watching TV coverage of the victory speech of the man who had just won the US presidential election. This was not something I did generally, as I had, until then, only a passing interest in US politics. But this - or should I say, he - was different. It wasn't only the man's obvious eloquence and skill as an orator. He spoke with an intelligence, dignity, decency and humanity that was rare in politicians, then and now. And, of course, he was black. I had spent enough time working in the US to understand how deep racial divisions run in America, so part of me had never really dared to believe that he would get the Democratic nomination, let alone that he would win. But he did… and as I watched his incredible speech that night, I quite unexpectedly found myself weeping with joy. As a brown-skinned woman, it felt like an important moment in time, but also like an empowering message to people around the world. If he could achieve THIS, what did this mean for the millions of people who are disadvantaged by gender, race, orientation or disability?
Of course he couldn't solve all the US's (let alone the world's) problems… but he tried. Republican opposition for a large part of his tenure meant that his power was often limited - he has said that his failure to achieve US gun control is one of his biggest regrets - and opposition to his health insurance act never abated, and it is likely to be repealed now by his successor. Neither of those things make any sense to us in Britain, of course!
But I would argue that he succeeded in one very important thing. I am fortunate enough to have had the privileges of loving parents, a good education, a comfortable home & a successful career. And yet I was inspired by him. I read his books, watched his speeches, found myself unconsciously borrowing small aspects of his speaking style… and I became interested in politics. If he could have that effect on me - someone who was doing pretty well, and in another country - how much more powerful was his potential impact on young American people with far fewer advantages, some of whom may have started to believe that they really could become President of the United States one day (as generations of US immigrants have told themselves). It's too early to know, but I suspect his true legacy - and that of his equally impressive wife - will be that of role models, who will inspire young people - and I hope, politicians - around the world for many generations to come.
At least I really hope so… people of their calibre do not come around very often. And I shudder to think what sort of people will be inspired by Donald Trump!
Take care, and speak soon
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