Hope gets a Chance Again

The most important message that Obama’s victory sends out is that politics is a medium of bringing about change. It is a way to empowerment. For long, in USA and globally, politics has been viewed with cynicism. It is considered a domain of elites. Politics is seen as a game of few and a way to exclude and oppress individuals. Obama has shown that politics is a platform to resolve issues and initiate dialogue. Obama has transformed the nature of politics, the way people see it-at least in USA. His acceptance speech-Yes We Can- signifies this transformational and constructive role of role of politics.

Obama’s win is also the win of the oppressed African-American community. Obama has realised the dream that Martin Luther King Jr gave to his fellow Americans. Obama also symbolises the America of future; a country which has welcomed people from diverse backgrounds and given them opportunities to realise their true moral worth. The entire Obama narrative is built around progress, change and hope. His-Yes We Can-speech was truly inspiring. Obama has moved beyond identity politics and reached out to various sections of the American society.

Why do we see people across the globe admiring Obama? It is because he seems to offer a glimmer of hope in this age of cynicism, deceit and corruption. Obama’s election campaign enabled people to participate-people contributed in whatever capacity they could, they could volunteer through diverse ways. Obama created a sense of belonging. Obama will enter the White House with tremendous expectations-from his countrymen and from the world community. Americans expect him give America a ‘new deal’ and regain America’s standing globally. Obama stands at a cusp of history, he has the opportunity to fulfil a dream-not one but a collective dream of millions who have expressed hope in him. The tears and emotions that filled the Grant Park in Chicago when Obama gave his acceptance speech are the emotions of individuals who see Obama as an epitome of their dreams.

Obama has raised great expectations, for him failure is not an option for the hope is too big. The journey has just began, dreams want to be audacious again.