1. When the result of the US Presidency election swept thru the entire globe, early last week, I have to admit that I was pleased with the outcome. Perhaps because I am a believer of Change when Change is necessary during times like this, i.e. "How Worse Can It Get?"
2. Summer 1999, I was doing my final semester in Michigan State University, a great school located in a boring college town called East Lansing, surrounded with the 'Great Lakes' causing extreme cold weather during Winter. During that final semester, I remember taking a Sociology class studying the American Society, its history, the Great Depression 1929, the Founding Fathers, the Constitution and of course, Black Slavery. In that class, the lecturer was a African American and there were about 30 of us comprised of many skin colours, White, Black, Yellow and Brown - a good mixture of student with various background from all over the world. When the semester reached the Black Slavery part, I have to say heavy debates in the class sufficed among stakeholders. Obviously the emotion of the African American was a bit on the high side and the White boy was always on a defensive mode. But at the end of the day, no fist fight or what so ever as both understood that it was something of the past and slavery was ended by the white men in Congress since 1865.
3. Still, at that time, nobody would dare to bet their dollar for a Black President in the next 50 years to come. Klu Klax Klan, Martin Luther King's assassination, race discrimination in Southern part of America and poverty among the African Americans are some of the factors that no one would suggest a Black guy as the most powerful man on Earth. I believe the key turnaround was when Colin Powell was appointed as the Secretary of State in 2001, i.e. the first African American to hold the post. When he stepped down in 2005, there were urges that Colin Powell should go for President. Looking at his resume, he is way up there compared to Barack Obama. But, it takes one man's guts to do the most 'sensitive' move of his life. For Colin, if he fails, everything on his resume becomes worthless. For Barack Obama, when we first heard of him, "Who the hack is this guy?" That was my reaction when I got to know that he was going against Hillary Clinton for nomination. At that time, I thought Hillary would nail him easily. He had nothing to lose as he is a junior politician himself.
4. His victory is sending a very powerful message to the rest of the world that Change can be possible even if it is impossible to change. Adding to that, you have 50% of the world population who are younger than 27 years old, better educated and the demand of better quality of life. It's economics. When Demand is higher than Supply, you have to pay a higher price.... Many conservative and long time Governments around the world paid the price. I suspect more to come in the next few years.
5. In America, racial issue is still a sensitive topic in particular those residing in the southern part of America. That explains why Obama won the West, East and Northern states but the South. But, over the years since 911, Americans have started to have common enemies of the outside rather than within. These had united the American in a big way. When they chose Obama as President, the country, United States of America. was placed higher above the rest. It is easier to unite behind a common belief.
6. Barack Obama was at the right time and place. I pray that he himself will not Change after taking office. After all, he is still a Politician and a Human.
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