Obama's victory
Friday, 7 November 2008
IT is a great day for the American people. Barack Obama's victory in the election must mean a lot to African Americans. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the US Constitution promising the best for "all" Americans, he owned a hundred slaves. That was in 1776. But by electing the first black president, Americans demonstrated that 'democracy of the people for the people and by the people' works.
On the other hand, as Obama himself said, change has not come to America by his victory. Rather an opportunity for that change is at hand. Americans should grab that opportunity with both hands. They demonstrated a positive unity by electing this person and he in turn has promised them that America will overcome all its problems though with a caution that it will take time and toil and sacrifice. It was heartening to see whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, of every class, creed, and colour celebrating the victory of their candidate.
On the other hand, this event must have really hurt the extremists in the US including those in the Bush administration. Not only a black has been elected president of the US, the man was even fathered by a Muslim! Overtly and covertly they will call it a 'black' day!
As for Bush and his ilk, they should be rightly consigned to the dustbin of history. But will they be held accountable for the death and destruction of thousands of people in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the financial misery they have brought to their own people? Probably not but this man still has two and a half months before he leaves office and heaven knows what mischief he will do in this time.
Emdad
Dhanmondi
Dhaka
On the other hand, as Obama himself said, change has not come to America by his victory. Rather an opportunity for that change is at hand. Americans should grab that opportunity with both hands. They demonstrated a positive unity by electing this person and he in turn has promised them that America will overcome all its problems though with a caution that it will take time and toil and sacrifice. It was heartening to see whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, of every class, creed, and colour celebrating the victory of their candidate.
On the other hand, this event must have really hurt the extremists in the US including those in the Bush administration. Not only a black has been elected president of the US, the man was even fathered by a Muslim! Overtly and covertly they will call it a 'black' day!
As for Bush and his ilk, they should be rightly consigned to the dustbin of history. But will they be held accountable for the death and destruction of thousands of people in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the financial misery they have brought to their own people? Probably not but this man still has two and a half months before he leaves office and heaven knows what mischief he will do in this time.
Emdad
Dhanmondi
Dhaka