The U.S. Emperor Has No Clothes!

The U.S. Emperor Has No Clothes!
(By: Rene Velez Nov. 10th, 2008)

Congratulations! We The People have cast our vote and one candidate has won a vast majority of the votes. Barack Obama is our president elect! A historic moment by all accounts. What can I say? I am speechless. Moments like these are best savored and engrained into memory as a lifetime experience. I have on this blog expressed my concerns about Mr. Obama, but I wish him well and as a citizen will stand behind him. Or at least for as long as it works. Such is politics.

I am particularly proud of this great nation. I know that this race was not supposed to be about race. But, I am not one to stay quite when the emperor has no clothes. Hey, what do ya know….he’s an African American! My fellow countrymen have wisely seen beyond race. American democracy is suddenly just a bit more genuine and legitimate. Somehow, a vote for Obama has made us a just and better example of democracy, freedom and liberty. God bless us all!


A New Face on Race

Just as Obama has won a national election, I am both fearful and excited about what it all means. After all, this is an experiment of sorts. I fear that politics may deal a heavy blow to race or, it may help us be more harmonious or homogenious. If Obama does well in politics and he is able to bring about positive change and reform, he will be not only a role model for all African Americans, but it will help all minorities. If he becomes a failed president, like our outgoing president Bush, I fear that we may loose much ground and that tensions between races could befall us. It’s important to recognize this less we all fall victim of pundits and cynicism. Obama has the potential to draw many of the new generation into politics, social and public service and, grass roots movements. Obama may spur community involvement and activism the likes of which few presidents if any have been able to accomplish.

One profound thought comes to mind. No matter the outcome, no African American should ever feel they are a second class citizen. No African American should ever hold their head down because of their race. No African American should ever state, opportunity is less available to them because of their race than to any other member of our great nation. This election does not prove that racism is dead. Not at all. What I think it does show is that, it’s not as important as many of us have thought it to be. Race is not a barrier to success. It is not a glass ceiling. This should be truly inspiring to all of us who believe that this country is great, because we are all different.

Change In a Transitional Society

Obama’s win has many implications that are still as of yet unknown. And every indication is that only history will provide us insight. He did not win because he is African American. He won on Merits. Or did he? Is it possible to say he won simply because of the overwhelming dissatisfaction with President Bush? In part the answer has to be yes. Obama represents hope. He is young charismatic and vibrant and speaks to change. Specifically, is that change for the better? No one knows for sure just yet. But listen to the news and the profound implications of so many bailouts and failures. Listen to the grinding halt of a global economy and read the fine print and in between the lines of our global markets. The U.S. is a country in transition. If Obama can carry this country with his charisma, intellect, discipline and the very same grass roots, community organizing skills, we may well be onto something. We may well have a winning President for years to come. My intuitive guess is that Obama has the potential to understand and to use the psychological forces of leadership to guide this nation. But of course, as with all presidents, will he have the right cabinet and support.

The Opposition of Partisanship

Aside from the staggering issues we all face, Obama has before him the tempest of partisanship. Reading the NY Times today, already we have republican conservatives aiming to simply make Obama’s presidency a miserable one. It would appear that Newt Gingrich is the only one who has voiced concern over taking this position. Hurrah Mr. Gingrich. The country does not need division right now. We need leadership. The republican party would be better served to head the notice, voters have given and, find a way to move towards the middle and extend a hand to a President Elect that is well supported. I should also note that any potential backlash from partisanship bickering will go a long way towards drowning out the republican party from main street politics, and further away from the White House. After such a significant loss, the republican party must acquiesce to the will of the American people and simply plan for a fight another day. Mr. Gingrich, please tell our fellow republicans they have no clothes! It ain’t pretty either.

As Strong as the Roots

Anyone who enjoys plants will tell you that a plant is only as healthy as its roots. A tree is only as strong when the wind is howling as the roots are. Obama won this presidency by applying grass roots efforts and using skills of a community organizer. I would urge our new president to stick to his knitting as he develops his legacy. Be a president of the people, voted by the people, to serve your people. It would be a strategic mishap if Obama were to take on the Washington power structure head on. There really is no need to do so. I think Obama knows this. During his victory speech I was moved by his indication that he would need public support. Obama is a leader of concensus before judgment. If the elections is any indication, we should look at how he goes about winning his constituents to predict how he will faces the many challenges before him. In many ways he might well wind up being a Bill Clinton. President Clinton often tested the water and researched the polls before adopting any position. It assured him high marks as a sitting president. Although Obama’s presidency is much different in terms of the issues he faces, Obama I assume will do much of the same, with one difference. He will build and derive his power from the people through old fashion grass roots.