It's like summer in Chicago today. I'm taking this to be a good omen: The sun shines down in Barack's hometown! But I'm taking all kinds of things to be good omens. The Obama yard-signs I didn't expect to see in Montana; the conservative Republican in Washington who told me, without lowering her voice, that she'd be voting Democrat for the first time in her life. We just really need a president who can lift this country up right now, she'd explained.
I spent all morning sitting in Grant Park, watching the preparations for Obama's return to the city tomorrow night. It's buzzing with security and news crews turning up; every road blocked off. Brian got me a ticket: we're going to be two of the thousands of people here, watching the results come in and waiting to hear his speech, whichever way it goes.
I've been reading Obama's first book on my way here, "Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance", which he wrote back in 1995. In it he recalls his absent father's return from Kenya to visit him in Hawaii when he was a kid:
"Whenever he spoke -- his one leg draped over the other, his large hands outstretched to direct or deflect attention, his voice deep and sure, cajoling and laughing -- I would see a sudden change take place in the family. Gramps became more vigorous and thoughtful; my mother more bashful; even Toot would start sparring with him about politics or finance, stabbing the air with her blue-veined hands to make a point. It was as if his presence had summoned the spirit of earlier times and allowed each of them to reprise his or her old role; as if Dr King had never been shot, and the Kennedys continued to beckon the nation, and war and riot and famine were nothing more than temporary setbacks, and there was nothing to fear but fear itself."
It all sounds kind of familiar, somehow.
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Where did you spend your Halloween and what did you dress up as?
ReplyDeleteAmong those with access to actual events, I read today that some ONE MILLION people may be out on the streets if Obama wins. This kind of take-to-the-streets activity really doesn't exist in America. I wish I were there; instead I'll be on Welsh radio.
ReplyDeleteIf McCain somehow does win, I think it will signal one of the greatest failures in American history (that doesn't involve killing a load of people) and possibly mark the moment when America truly ceased to be relevant.
I've been jealous of you many times on your travels Annie but this is the height of it.
ReplyDeleteTell us all about it afterwards, we're waiting.
Does he mention having a brother living as a drug addict in a Kenyan shanty slum in that book, or is it his other autobiography?
ReplyDeleteHave fun, and don't let the fact that all Messiahs have feet of clay ruin the holiday of a lifetime.
Thank you Annie... for taking us on this little (huge?) journey with you. I am living vicariously for the time being.
ReplyDeleteChris: it's kind of crazy here alright. You need ID just to get into your apartment block, apparently.
ReplyDeleteI was just in a bar near the park when it came on the news that his Grandmother died today. Isn't that sad? One day away.
I don't think McCain will win, but if he does it won't be by the popular vote. So perhaps it is the system that is fucked up rather than the voters.
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Skinner: He hasn't written an autobiography yet. His first book is a memoir based on race from his perspective growing up as a mixed-race boy in America, and his second book is an essay on American politics. They do include a lot of autobiographical content, sure, but they're not classed as autobiographies. And if he talks about his drug-addict brother then I haven't got to that part yet. Although he has mentioned that he has brothers and sisters in Kenya from his father's second marriage, yes, so I will probably get to that part soon. He is very frank, which is why the Republicans only have horribly tentative and racist links to his "terrorist pals" to "get" him with. Why the interest in his Kenyan brother?
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Rimshot: I was in Anoka, Halloween capital of the world.
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LV and Sinful: I totally recommend taking off...
That's awesome that you're in Chicago. I can almost smell Lakeshore Drive. I'll be at a party in Tampa regardless of the outcome, but I already voted on Halloween. The security in Chicago is not for Senator Obama, by the way. It's for Oprah! Heheh! We do plan on taking to the streets whether in protest or celebration. Hopefully the latter. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI have everything crossed for you guys down there in Florida. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey, lucky you being right at the heart of things on the big day! I just hope Barack does it and there's no stench of rigging this time round. I'll be watching the results with baited breath. I'm sure you'll have a great inside story of Barack's homecoming.
ReplyDeletefascinating trip, great posts.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I'm very glad you're there - I'm really looking forward to your posts and pictures from the next 48 hours.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I'm interested in George Obama because it contradicts the public image of Barack as a caring and sensitive human being.
ReplyDeleteI'd consider both Obama's books to be de facto autobiographies. He's writing about himself, after all.
After being involved as an observer of politics for as long as I have, a degree of cynicism comes with the turf.
And I get the feeling that expectations for Obama are so high and his record and experience are so slender, that if he is elected (as seems nailed on now) then a large disappointment on a national or even international basis will inevitably ensue.
You can't be disappointed by Dubya. All he can do is fulfil your low expectations of poor governance.
But people will, I predict, end up tremendously disappointed by Obama.
He's not the black JFK (and people often forget that JFK was anything but infallible - he made the worst decision in living memory for the USA by going into Vietnam).
Now, you won't read about George Obama in Barack's books. I looked and found a single reference. But George is real, and a disturbing reminder of how Obama uses what is useful in his past and jettisons the rest.
And I think that, in the context of a USA devouring itself in fear of bogeymen terrorists, that it's fair enough to note that Obama hangs out with one of the Weathermen.
But these are little issues really. All I'm really trying to do is prepare you for the inevitable disappointment that ensues from putting faith in an individual politician of such limited experience to reverse the ills of the world.
Last night, someone on Irish TV said it's up to Obama to be more Roosevelt and less Carter if he assumes office.
The problem is that there's no indication Obama is a Roosevelt, but plenty that he could be at least as out of depth as Carter.
Just don't let your holiday be all about this election, is what I'm suggesting.
When the Messianic zeal wears off, and Obama invades Iran, or ballses up the economy, or hikes taxes and cuts healthcare, then you shouldn't have your holiday memories ruined as well as everything else.
Um, hello? "Don't make your holiday all about the election". Have you even read this blog?
ReplyDeleteObama has written a lot about the disconnect he felt from his Kenyan family, it's one of the key issues in his first book. This includes a cousin who died in a motorbike accident. You can take something like his long-lost brother and scream "See! Obama is a heartless man!" to back up your mantra, sure, but understand where he is coming from.
You know, I understand that there are people like you whose job is to constantly warn us that at the end of the day all politicians are corrupt, and I can see that you want to keep it 'real' for us, Skinner, really. But you can't deny that is history in the making, and I have every intention of going with it.
... nothing upsets a troll more than someone else having a good time...
ReplyDeleteWow..you're in Chicago at a very exciting time Annie. I'll be watching the results unfold on the telly at home.
ReplyDeleteThis is far more interesting than the elections we had in Canada just last month !
Hwyl i ti heddiw a heno.
I lit a penny candle for you all!
ReplyDeleteJCS, do you think we're all naive? We've all seen political disappointments and we'll see plenty more. You don't need to warn us about the possibilities we're already aware of. But some of us are prepared to give someone and chance and see what happens. 'Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to pour myself some wine, sit back and enjoy the show.
History is made every day, everywhere.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so you're a true believer. Each to their own faith.
But in that context, what is my 'mantra'?
THIS kind of history is not made everyday. Speaking as someone with a multi-racial background, I think the frame of mind of Americans (and the world)will change more than any policy put in place. I don't have a skewed messianic view of the Senator, but I think a good deal of us are optimistic at the prospect of being represented by someone who at least APPEARS intelligent and doesn't make our skin crawl when he speaks(unlike the current occupant of the oval office).
ReplyDeleteI'm honored that someone from another country feels connected to what goes on with us during this time of change (regardles of who wins tonight).
There is always the person ready to piss in your salad because they can't stand to see joy in anyone. They did it to The Beatles when they got TOO popular, and Oprah, Sinatra, and Elvis were considered dangerous "messiahs" at one point too.
Just because you admire someone doesn't mean you worship them. Generalizing is the instigator of some ugly traits (sort of like how serial killers start off killing animals). It's fear talking. They fear change.
Fear is so boring and you are NOT boring.
Grab yourself some Chicago deep dish and buy up Michigan Avenue.
Deep breathe in the excitement of progress, no matter the amount!
Skinner: I think some people have an anti-everything mantra. You seem like that kind of guy: anti-everything, all the time.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite an anti-Skinner thing to say.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some people do have anti-everything agendas, though I don't know any nihilists. In face, like with unicorns and politicians, I find them hard to believe in.
I don't have mantras, just opinions, and we all have them.
It's also an elemental error to confuse a blog for a person, Annie.
My blog is my complaints board and is clearly advertised as such.
My life and my positives passions are primarily elsewhere, off-line.
Like I said, enjoy your holiday.
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