by Elaine Sihera

Created on: February 21, 2008

How the Election of Barack Obama to the Presidency Could Make America Internationally Great Again

Senator Bob Kerrey apologised for linking Barack Obama's Muslim connections to the possibility of him reaching out to Black youth and Muslims around the world. But I do not see anything negative in that observation. There was a lot of truth in it.

I am speaking sincerely as a Briton, looking on from the outside. Americans don't even begin to understand the absolute gem, in worldwide terms, they would have in Barack Obama, as a president. He is a virtual unknown, untainted by the dark underside of US politics, he is extremely sincere and unifying, he is aware of his roots and how they might help or hinder him, he has clear leadership qualities in the way he has galvanised such a vast crowd of committed people behind him so quickly, and he is Black. This last point cannot be minimised because he would have one hell of an appeal to minorities everywhere in the world because of the sheer unbelievable nature of a Black person being president of the most powerful country in the world and the pride it would give them in our global community.

People might say that colour shouldn't matter. But only those whose colour has been favoured can afford to be colour-blind. Women didn't get added visibility in our society by people pretending that gender didn't matter. People had to show up the inequalities based on gender before it was appreciated just how badly women had been excluded and treated. They didn't go around saying there's no sexism to justify the status quo. The same with colour. The inequalities around it have to be acknowledged first before they can be remedied. So, in this amazing election campaign, America cannot afford to be colour-blind. They have to be for ALL colours, not just the predictable one.

Overnight, Barack Obama would make America great internationally again just by his presence. Hillary Clinton means more of the same. Nothing new there, except for her gender. What would happen in the first two years, guaranteed, is a positive attention to America until they see how he actually does as a president. Then reality would kick in, for good or bad, but the novelty would have huge international spin-offs as everyone rushes to meet him, listen to this new voice of reason and associate with him. He is a PR's dream!

A White person would never understand that aspect in a million years because a White person has always been president of the United states, with the power, privilege and pride it has given all the other White citizens and groups down the years. A privilege they have taken for granted and regarded as automatic; one that, because of its relentlessly biased nature, has helped to encouage racism, inequality and stereotypes about those who are not White.

America has the chance of a new dawn in Barack Obama, especially with the ongoing morass in Iraq that is sapping the spirit of Americans; a real opportunity to demonstrate that, as the most diverse and powerful country in our world, it does value every citizen, regardless of colour or origin. It means all future elections will be more open too because they will be perceived to be inclusive, to allow ANYONE in America, with the money and resources, to fight that battle and ultimately win. Currently, for whatever reason, the strong message being given is that only one colour, and one gender, merits the presidency.

I know his election would have an immediate effect on Britain's perspective almost immediately. You'd better believe it. Time for a genuine change.

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