By Dr. Christopher Odetunde
“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another,” – Anatole France.
Not since Mohammed Ali versus Joe Frazier did we experience the rumble in the jungle as we are about to experience tonight in Los Angeles. I am referring to the epoch debate between Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama mono-a-mono. The world is really changing and American politics is weighing in.
For a long time, the old white club, sometimes consisting of dull, unimaginative, sometimes war profiting and vicious members chose one amongst them, a president, to be the harbinger of bad news for women and for black folks. The bad news which I refer to here is “you will not have opportunity to become the president of the United States” because this was how our parents did it and we’ll resist changes with all that we have. Fortunately, the younger Americans (white, blacks, Hispanics, etc.) are integrating effortlessly and even the older generation of Americans are seen the wisdom in such integration. Americans are getting enlightened by day and are seen the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel that opportunities must be given to all Americans if America is truly established on Judeo – Christian principles.
Today is a new beginning for America because today spells the opening of the glass ceiling to both blacks and American women. The two candidates fighting for the opportunity to lead America, Senators Obama and Clinton are equally qualified and would have a heavy burden on the to-be Democratic nominees and heavier burden if elected president of the United States. Whoever out of the two becomes the democratic nominee, it would be the first. The world is watching.
If Senator Hillary Clinton becomes the democratic nominee and eventually wins the national election, would she follow the all male modus Operandi or assume a tough but gentler foreign policy of engaging other nations or would she want to be seen as tough by seeking a fight that will take young Americans to foreign land. This is a question to be answered.
Should Obama become the president, many blacks and whites would expect miracles for him that would not be expected from other races. Small mistakes would be magnified, unfortunately and of course, many whites would say that, “you know we told you that they can’t lead that is why they should never be in office again.” But Barack Obama would know better that he is not a black but an American president. Between Clinton and Obama, a dream ticket that the Republican will thread gently to mess with (women and African American) may a formidable team to beat.
But let us look at tonight’s debate. The candidates must be focused, policy-oriented and play less on emotion. These two gladiators can make their points for and against one another without drawing blood. They'll be better to make their points not by destroying each other but by cross referencing their ideas to those of the Republican candidate. They must drive their positives up rather than become negative. None of these candidates can afford to be vicious because such acts could turn off the electorates, decided or undecided. While they are discussing their differences, they must be careful not to give the Republicans ammunition and a bazooka to nail whoever becomes democratic nominee. But, they must debate elegantly and only attack when an opportunity opens. Obama must be careful not to be overly aggressive and end up alienating electorates blacks and/or whites because there are still some of the white folks that are sensitive. Many Americans, whites, blacks and the Hispanics are embracing the changes that are sweeping the world. It was Harold Wilson that said, “Whoever rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery,” and America can no longer afford to become a cemetery for changes.
Americans are beginning to understand what the world has known all along, that diversity brings the best in any nation and no one tribe or race has control of wisdom but together and by cooperating, diversity can make a difference. White men do not have exclusive luck on wisdom, administration and governance. White women are equally capable of moving the best but not a perfect democracy in the world forward. Events and situation always have a way of shapening political events all over the world and America is no different. The entrance and the exit of President G.W. Bush have energized the American polity on both side of the isle, more so the democrats.
Thank God, the debate was civil and policy oriented. Watching the debate and comparing it with that of the Republican, I was extremely impressed. America is a land of opportunity and it should remain so. The first immigrants that came through Ellis Island would be cringing in their graves if the way American politicians are lampooning immigrants continues.
When one compares what is currently going on in Kenya with what is taking place in American politics, one has to be happy to be part of the changes taking place in America. I am hopeful when I read that General Abdulsalami Abubakar learnt his voice that “Nigerians are playing politics of bitterness and winner takes all and politics of give and take. I hope our politicians are learning and watching from the Kenyan situation which I would describe as very sad.” Maybe what General Abubakar Abdulsalami is indirectly saying is that he too does not believe in the old hands and that Nigeria needs to encourage her young experienced citizens who understand how the global economy works and how the world, in general, work to get into politics and get Nigeria out of the deep hole the No Future Association, NFA members got her into.
As I watch the debate I was quietly praying to the almighty that God will bring men and women of timber and caliber, and citizens that dream and smell Nigeria each day of their lives and not those that just want to milk the cow dry.
Finally, I wish that in my own nation, Nigeria, politicians can see that there is honor in civility and our leaders must move away from group and identity politics. May the Lord grant Nigeria the wisdom to follow the path of politics of service to the nation and advocacy to the poor. Nigeria’s political system needs fixing and new progressive political parties be formed of people with ideas, people that are forward looking but more importantly, people that can embrace management as a trust and unselfish devotion to duty. Politics is exciting in America and all over the world again. I still love my country Nigeria and love the opportunities that America and her people gave many of us. Unfortunately, our countries of origin fail to take advantage of such opportunities like training in healthcare, engineering and technological know-how, educational management, and America's can do attitude that have been imparted on many Africans in Diaspora. A good leader must tap into these finite but important resources.
Dr. Christopher Odetunde wrote from Houston, Texas, USA.
