Buenos Aires was no less jubilant. I was overwhelmed by the level of informedness and enthusiasm of the Argentine people for our elections. And, from what I saw, they were and are unanimously for Obama.
Taxi drivers in particular seem to be keen on the topic. I can't count how many new Spanish vocabulary words I've learned from having extensive conversations with them about the state of America and how we're viewed in the world. I knew this before I came here, but being out in the world has confirmed for me just how important it was for Obama to win. The idea that the US, a country that practiced institutionalized racism within its own borders within a century, could elect a Black President means hope to Argentines. This coming from a country that many suspect and expect to be racist. And I think it's because many Argentines have looked beyond any stale prejudice to align their hopes for being considered and treated as equals by the US with the hopes of Obama, Black people and all minorities in the US. McCain and his hate mongering, racist Palin rallies represented an old America that leaves them out. Obama and the nod in his acceptance speech last night to the international community means hope and a promise for inclusion and consideration. Obama is change the WORLD can believe in.
photo credit: nytimes.com
I was very sad not to be home yesterday dancing in the streets and popping champagne with all of you. I did, however, make it to a viewing party hosted by Democrats Abroad at a bar in Palermo. It was full of sweaty people of all nationalities standing on their feet and screaming with various accents, " O-BAM-A, O-BAM-A!" When CNN projected the Latino vote 67% in favor of Obama, the entire crowd erupted in the historically charged chant, "Si se puede, Si se puede!" Wow, it blew my mind. In that moment, I saw one world in favor of peace and justice and opportunity for all. I saw America restoring its reputation. And I was proud to be an American.
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2 comments:
Congrats to you far away...
It's very interesting that Argentina aligns itself with US minorities on justice issues. Those long voting lines around the US reminded me of the South Africans who stood in line for hours to vote for the first time for Nelson Mandela. It was just as moving...
hoy fui a montar bici y en medio del bosque rojizo por el otoño me agarró un ataque de conciencia y me puse a llorar. Pensé en los hombres y mujeres que algún día llegaron del África a estas tierras enlatados como sardinas. Pensé en la vida que llevaron y en la lucha que sus descendientes tuvieron que montar para conseguir su libertad. Pensé en los sueños que habría tenido el padre de Obama al dejar su Kenia para viajar al otro lado del mundo en busca de un futuro mejor. Y medité sobre mis sueños como inmigrante y como ciudadano de este mundo.
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