Post-Election Edition
As I type this from my room the sun has almost completely risen. Obama has just made his acceptance speech. In previous all-nighters in my life, this is the time of the morning that I usually give up, hit save one last time, and fumble over whether to say good morning or good night to the cleaning ladies who are beginning their day by vacuuming the library. It’s really refreshing to end an all-nighter with optimism instead of resignation.
This has been an important election for me because it’s the first presidential election that I have been old enough to vote in. The day I received my absentee ballot in the mail was one of the most memorable moments of my semester (though actually mailing it was a bit anti-climatic. I don’t really think the post office clerk appreciated the momentousness of the occasion). I felt like I was part of my country even though…I’m here.
Being in Ghana during this election has been unusual. Unlike most places in the world, in Ghana the US still has a reputation of promise and prosperity. A lot of educated middle and upper class Ghanians have family or friends either living in the states of who have spent a few years there. Many Ghanaians dream of one day going to America, where they believe it will be easy to make enough money to be rich when they return to Ghana.
Everyone who lives here supports Obama. In touristy sections of Accra, where vendors push you to buy Ghanaian T-shirts and flags, they also sell woven bracelets that can be embroidered within seconds with any name. Every one of these bracelet pushers will wave 5 or so bracelets embroidered with “Obama” in your face and ask “You like Obama?” One of the songs that plays everywhere has a chorus in which the only words are “Ba-rack O-baaama.” Cab drivers (once they’re done pouting over the fact that you are not going to let them rip you off) ask “Which country” and then “You like Obama?” Everyone smiles when you say “Yes, I like Obama. I sent in my ballot by post.” The overwhelming majority of Ghanaians I have spoken to believe that Obama will be good to Africa, because he is an African. They don’t seem to realize that Obama has not, and cannot, proclaim special allegiance to Africa because it is now his job to do what is best for our country, not anyone else’s. This is the cynical point of view.
But the bleary-eyed optimism that is keeping me awake to write this post is showing things a bit differently. While it is undoubtedly any national leader’s job make the best decisions for their own country, the increasing interconnectedness of the world means that to some degree, the best decisions internally are ones that are also sound globally. So, in this small, but not inconsequential way, maybe an Obama presidency will benefit Africa. Maybe the Ghanian Obamaniacs are not quite so naïve after all.
This campaign has really taught me not to underestimate the power of the symbolic and the immeasurable. I don’t really think Obama won such a sweeping victory because more Americans believed that his policies would work better than McCain’s. I think that Obama won because he was able to provide the most compelling narrative of the future of our country. He made us feel like something important was about to happen. And we still feel like something important is happening. That’s powerful, and it’s beyond the realm of ordinary politics.
When I first arrived in Ghana, I was confused by the pro-American sentiment. I didn’t feel proud of my country. Now I really feel like we have something to be proud of and it’s a really good feeling.
Dad Said,
November 5, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
And I am very proud of you for writing this, both the content and the style. You have captured aspects of this momentous event as well as any editorial I’ve read or any TV or radio commentator I’ve heard since the election was called last night — and that’s saying a lot!
Your education is obviously going very well and will be worth every penny. I am excited about how well you have kept up this blog also!
Mom Said,
November 6, 2008 @ 8:26 am
“I don’t really think Obama won such a sweeping victory because more Americans believed that his policies would work better than McCain’s. ” I only disagree with this part for myself because I do believe that Obama’s policies will work better than McCain’s but it’s all so much more that. I agree with all that your Dad said and we are very proud of you. Love, Mom
Tina Thompson Said,
November 6, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Nice site, very clean, lots of content and loved having a look.
Grandma Veronica Said,
November 7, 2008 @ 7:04 am
I agree with your parents: Your election commentary does deserve to be an editorial somewhere. A couple of my thoughtful friends could not get beyond the raw emotion of gratitude and relief. You were, in addition, able to see the big picture. Cheers! — Grandma Veronica.
Grandpa Andrew Said,
November 7, 2008 @ 7:12 am
While I myself was disappointed in the outcome, since I voted for McCain, I am glad it is over, and the decision of the majority carries. I still feel, however, that Obama’s constantly reiterated slogan “Change!” was fraudulent, in that change by itself can ALWAYS if it goes one way can also go the other way, can’t it? So without specifics indicated, change per se doesn’t convey meaning, and is intended to throw sand into the naive and unthinking multitude. I am not saying that Obama did not also say some specific things, only that his fighting slogan was only an emotion-provoking, empty outcry. (Incidentally, even Senator McCain got on the bandwagon and promised “change.”) — Grandpa Andrew.
Grandma Veronica Said,
November 7, 2008 @ 7:17 am
I agree with your parents: your post-election responses would well qualify as an editorial! Unlike my usually thoughtful friends, who could not get beyond the gut feeling of joy and relief, YOU were able to see the big picture. Good job! Cheers. — Grandma Veronica
Aunt Kathy Said,
November 16, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
Hi Emily, I don’t know if you were aware that Dawn & Samantha went to Grant Park in Chicago for the Election night rally for Obama. There were down this weekend & we got to hear a lot of the details. 30,000 people and absolutely no violence whatsoever. Red and yellow, black and white -all are precious in His sight. Isn’t that wonderful in and of itself? Anyway, it was quite an adventure. I told Dawn that she & Samantha should write down their experience while it’s still fresh in their minds. I’m so glad that you are doing the same and so very glad that you are graciously sharing it with all of us.
Much love and many prayers, Aunt Kathy
Katie Rice Said,
November 17, 2008 @ 11:47 am
My U.S. History and North American Studies professor (2 different classes taught by the same prof) hosted “un Election Night” watch party at a very gringo restaurant down the road from our university. At least 30 Mexican students showed up to it, which I thought was very impressive in and of itself. I wish I could tell you how they all reacted at the announcement that Obama had won, but I was so in my own world that I wasn’t even paying attention. I found myself totally, completely shocked that a Democrat — someone I supported! — had won the presidency. Having formerly watched two Bush wins, I just couldn’t even conceive of how it should feel to actually have “my side” win. I wear an Obama pin on my purse, and people often come up to me — even adults, even strangers — and say simple things like, “Woo! Obama!!” and express how happy they are for our country. It’s so, so different from the reaction I got to my American-ness last year when I was in Europe.
tk Said,
December 4, 2008 @ 3:48 am
This is surreal, I am taking my GF to Ghana for the first time. Being Ghanaian, i never really bothered with doing touristy stuff in Ghana. Now, i can’t believe that i am reseaching and finding ideas of things to do in Ghana by simply reading blogs of visitors.
Thanks for the Good tips