O What a Beautiful Morning.
Actually, it’s a grey damp start to a new Era here in London. But despite sleeplessness and hangovers, the world seems a lot brighter today. People are walking with a spring in their step.
What happened last night? What happened over the last year? Did I dream all that? Did America, the country that gave George Bush two terms: whose voters were robbed in 2000, bamboozled in 2004: did that same country really elect this smart, dedicated, eloquent, passionate man called Barack Hussein Obama?
When our most read newspaper, a famously right wing tabloid, publishes a headline like this, then you know the world has changed, changed utterly…
Here are some other headlines from the UK
And here’s Gordon Brown congratulating President ELECT Barack Hussein Obama. Even his traditionally dour Scottish bearing has a lightness and kindness this morning:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/PO…
This is a moment that will live in history as long as history books are written
But I found this the picture from last night and it made me think:
As Literature majors will know, much of the American narrative, in fiction and in politics, is about breaking away from fathers. Some say this a metaphor for the radical act of independence. Others put it down to the pioneer spirit, which while opening up new frontiers, meant a painful several with old patrimonies. Even McCain and Bush fit into this narrative of confronting, emulating, struggling with the father, higher or otherwise.
Obama’s election changes this utterly too.
That a man who never really had a father, is clearly such a brilliant father to his own daughters, and is now a kind of father figure to a whole nation, nay to the world, I find that infinitely telling and touching.
Just seen Colin Powell on CNN, and he’s still in tears.
So how does it feel America, to be a role model for the world again?
UPDATED: PATERNALISM, PATRIARCHY AND GOODBYE TO ALL THAT. Hmm. In retrospect the bolded line above was poorly expressed, and I’ve given some the impression that we’re voting for ‘father figures’ or that I’m some advocating paternalism and patriarchy. Apologies for that: though I hope I’ve explained myself in comments.
Meanwhile, I’ve always meant to leave MYDD when the election is over, and the response to some old foes from the primary wars, and then an anti British rant from another poster, has made it easy. I’ve overstayed my welcome on MYDD, and I’ll leave it to you guys. I don’t need to fight those wars anymore. We’ve won.
The conversation here is much better without all that pointless – and very male and paternalistic – point scoring. Good Bye Cruel World. Hello Bright new Morning
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