This past Tuesday night, we witnessed history in the making. It seems that everyone - politicians, historians, pundits, writers, celebrities - is trying to weigh in and capture the magnitude of the moment. Please attach a quote from someone that you think accurately puts into perspective the significance of this moment in history and explain your thoughts on why you selected the particular quotation.Please note: This is not meant to be a discussion of issues or politics as usual, but rather a recognition of a cultural/historical moment that transcends political opinion and political party. If the election had turned out otherwise, we still would would be talking about a moment of cultural and historical importance, only in terms of gender rather than race.
12 comments:
"We would...like to take this opportunity to congratulate the American people for voting hope over fear and electing the first African American president in our nation's history. This is a watershed moment that renews the nation's founding promise of freedom, equality and opportunity for all. This election has shattered what was once considered an unbreakable glass ceiling that has kept so many generations of minorities and women from dreaming big dreams and reaching their full-potential. Never again will any young boy or girl of color in America be shackled with the awful certainty of 'not in my lifetime.' " - James E. Willingham, Sr of Urban League of Greater Hartford
I chose Willingham's quote from the Hartford Courant because of the powerful chord it strikes within the heart. Willingham's honest words include awesome imagery of "shattering glass ceilings" replaced with an infallible sense of "hope." It is almost unfathomable that a man who derives from the "shackled," or previously enslaved population of America will occupy the highest office in the land. As Willingham illustrates, this decision made on behalf of the American people indicates that we have taken a significant step towards eliminating the barrier of race. I also like that the writer references Hillary's success and puts it into perspective for women, encouraging them to "dream big." Most importantly, his quote points to the future, and Obama is characterized by the change and promise with which he plans to color the future of the United States.
"so now that Barack Obama's President, does that mean racism is over?"-Stephen Colbert.
i chose Colbert's quote because it is a blatant and straight to the point statement about what a lot of people are thinking. There's a black man in the white house, so then does that solve the ever present issue of discrimination? I'm not sure, i doubt it, but its another step towards having a society that looks beyond presentation (yeah today in class u told me presentation counts in our society). if obama does a great job as president, perhaps some people will stop having their racist views and realize that race doesn't matter at all and it will end discrimination.
"In this case hope has won over prejudice -- this is good for the United States and the world as a whole."-CELSO AMORIM, BRAZILIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
I chose this quote because I think it summarizes the final result of the Presidential election--hope has won over prejudice. More importantly, this election has allowed America to set an example for the rest of the world. We are sending out the message that prejudices no longer have the power to hold someone back from completing their dream or making a difference.
"I think this is the passing of an old order," CNN senior political analyst David Gergen said as the results rolled in Tuesday night and the outcome became increasingly evident.
I picked this quote because Obama's election gives hope for a new America, one with reduced racism, a new economy, and the end of a war. The promise of complete and utter change, on every level, and America's willingness to leap into that change is what Obama's election really stands for.
"Forty-five years ago Martin Luther King had a dream of an America where men and women would be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character. Today, what America has done is turn that dream into a reality."
-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
I chose this quote because I believe it accurately describes the outcome of the presidential election. For years America has been fighting a battle against discrimination. With this year's election, I feel that we are one step closer to eliminating prejudice altogether. Despite political preferences and opinions, Americans should take this election as a great moment in history.
"Just because we elected the first black president, does that mean we're done? Hardly." - The Rev. Don Sutton, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Denver.
I think this quote sums up my entire view of the elections results. Yes, it is excellent that Obama was elected, and it is excellent that we finally have a black president now, but I agree with the Reverend's quotes, as well as Colbert's quote from Dovile. Just because there is an African-American president-elect does not mean that racism will end. And it does not mean that all of the problems that America is facing are going to be fixed once he takes the office. It is going to take a lot of work on Obama's part to fix this country, and we will have to wait to see how he does before we can judge him completely, rather than immediately think he is going to solve all of our problems.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy:
"By choosing you, the American people have chosen change, openness and optimism. At a time when all of us must face huge challenges together, your election raises great hope in France, in Europe and elsewhere in the world."
I chose this quote because I liked the view it took on. Instead of directly adressing the issue of race, like many other quotes have, Sarkozy recognized what the election of Obama stands for. Our country has undoubtedly chosen change, in light of the party in power, and the man in charge. We have also chosen openness through his victory, because now, more than ever, people are willing to deal with racial discrimination. Finally, the part of the quote that I connected with the most was where Sarkozy brought up the "great hope" that has arisen because of his victory. At a time where the world is facing many problems, it's incredibly important to have a leader that inspires hope. Without hope, without change, without openness, our country will not move ahead.
MWAI KIBAKI, KENYAN PRESIDENT
"We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with us here in Kenya."
even though this quote is not exactly the significance of the moment for Americans, it is showing how this election has effected other countries not just our own. by electing Obama we have shown countries such as Kenya that we are willing to change and that the American people are not as pigheaded as we seem to be. this election is a giant step not only for ourselves but for the rest of the world. i also enjoy this quote because it shows the pride Kenya has in their people and Obama, it gives them something to brag about.
"But this is not the end of history. As we congratulate ourselves for overcoming four centuries of racial oppression, we need to recognize the extent to which Barack Obama also stands outside of that history. Barack Obama stands tall as a symbol of black achievement but he does so as a man with no roots in those aspects of the black American experience that have poisoned American race relations. He has no roots in American slavery, the era of Jim Crow, or urban ghettos. Is it possible that the only African-American who could cross the fragile bridge across the racial divide was a man unassociated with the great crucibles of African-American life?" --James Grossman, Newberry Library, Chicago
This quote does not mean to undercut or demean the monumental achievement of President-elect Obama but to merely show there is much more historical significance to come. This is not the end of history. The book has not been completely written. Barack Obama's election in the big scheme of history will prove to be an integral step in the patching of American race relations. Even though race-related issues are ingrained in American history and their horrific bonds will be near impossible to break, the fact that a half Black President was elected shows that the American people as a whole are moving into a new direction.
"If you believe that America’s current crisis is not a deep one ... if you believe that today’s ideological polarization is not dangerous, and that what appears dark today is an illusion fostered by the lingering trauma of the Bush presidency, then the argument for Obama is not that strong ..."
I chose this quote because Obama did not win because he is black, he won because he is qualified and he was voted the better choice. If it was the case that black people or people in general only voted for him because of the color is his skin, then we would have had a black president years ago. If I recall, Al Sharpton ran for president in 2004.
Also since he is half white too, he could still be considerd the 44th white president.
"Senator Obama's message of hope is not just for America's future, it is also a message of hope for the world as well. A world which is now in many respects fearful for its future." - Said by Kevin Rudd (Australian Prime Minister)
Rudd's quote is so true, because all the things Obama promised, all the talk about "hope for the future," and most decisions Obama will make will effect the entire world, since America is such a great power. Although obviously biased against Obama, Rudd does have a point. Obama's views are so different, and he calls on some pretty drastic changes. If something does not go well, the future of the entire world will be effected. And BECAUSE he has made so many promises, for or against Obama, who wouldn't be a bit scared. Most of this entire country does not actually know Obama; we can only hope that what he said in his debates/speeches portrays Obama as his is, but we cannot be sure. We should all be, if not frightened, then cautious of our future.
"It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun. Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today." (Barack Obama)
I think that this quote accurately portrays and puts into perspective the significance Obama's election. I know that people say that the election wasn't all about race...and I agree with that. You have to admit that race did play a significant role (it may have skewed the results) but its prominence has a big impact as people re-evaluated their values and desires for America. It took a great deal of work hard and "blood shed" to get to this moment. Other countries didn't think that America would elect Barack Obama partially because of his ethic background and we proved them wrong. Even if Obama wasn't elected and Clinton or McCain (and thus Palin) was, it still would be been an historical election because America would have had its first female president or vice president. America has made a lot of progress over the past decades...but we still have a long way to go.
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