Peace Is Up To All Of Us
Yesterday was monumental. I’m proud of my American cousins to have elected a person with a different approach, who happens to be of colour, and to try something new. But, I am cautiously optimistic.
Expectations that Barack Obama will right all the wrongs of the past - political, economic, racial - are far too high for any individual to bear. I fear that people who have placed an unrealistic hope in this one man will be bitterly disappointed if he is unable to fix these problems.
There is the potential for a major backlash by fervent supporters whose fantasies may be destroyed. They may feel duped and become angry, akin to discovering that there is no Easter Bunny or Santa Claus.
In that environment, things could get ugly. There is the potential for factions on any side of the race card to pick a fight out of pure disillusionment. Even now, in the heady honeymoon phase, there are those who feel direly threatened and those who harbour feelings of revenge over past misdeeds, whether politcal or racial.
And the tinderbox potential scares me. I wish that colour didn’t enter into this discussion and that it was merely an afterthought. But with firsts, it is the thing that is untried that gains the attention.
(Frankly, there are many things about race in this election that befuddle me. Just as Tiger Woods is as much asian as he is black, Barack Obama is as much white, as he is black. Yet, somehow these truths get downplayed, because of skin tone alone. In the end, we’re all genetic soup.)
And so, like yesterday, I am appealing for peace. If you are celebrating a win today, be sensitive that there are many feeling a loss. Be joyous without being callous. Be a good sport. Hold out your hand in condolence and collaboration. Build a bridge for your future.
I summed it up in a tweet this morning:
Gloating does nothing for unity or peace. Please be inspired by how inclusive and humble both candidates were in their speeches last night.
My hope is that we’ll all see this opportunity to take a collective deep breath, create room for everyone and choose peace in our lives.
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Here’s my Twitter train of thought on the election over the last 24 hours:
Good morning Twitter. This is a big day and I have one wish for my American cousins, on my personal blog: http://adelemcalear.tumblr.com
@HeatherShorter Oh, it’s a very big day. I hope that warm hearts and level heads prevail. No rioting, no violence. I may not be ‘round much.
@vargasl I wish that your people become agents of peace, inside and outside of your country. That would be the *best* cultural export.
Poking my head back in… is it safe yet?
NBC calls Obama
@ScottShorter Your country just made a huge step to heal a long and short history of wrongs. Celebrate this moment. Wake your children.
@ScottShorter That said, I worry that your new president can’t possibly live up to the heightened expectations placed upon him as a cure-all
I hope that peace prevails tonight and in the coming days and months.
@ScottMonty Not yet…you still have Iraq to deal with. But a big step in the right direction.
[@leahjones] Champaign all around the bar! Please G-d, keep him and his family safe.
@leahjones That is my fear as well. Let peace prevail.
[@Jillfoster] @adelemcalear Big win, big, big win … thinking of you
@Jillfoster This is a wonderful moment. A big moment. May level heads prevail. May your country live up to it.
MSNBC showing Kenyans celebrating in the village of Obama’s father & paternal grandmother
Five minutes until the big speech.
[@BaghdadBrian] @mosqueda not yet. #baghdadbaby missed our expectations as I fear Pres Obama is bound too. Probably within 24 hours of election end though
@BaghdadBrian How could any person live up to the expectations that are on the man (by his own design or not)? C’mon baby! Nov 5=Guy Fawkes
Good night friends. Sweet dreams. Please don’t screw this up. Thanks.
[@BaghdadBrian] @adelemcalear the question should be when will we stop idolizing and acknowledge our own power? We are the change we want to see in theworld
@BaghdadBrian I couldn’t agree more. Except where forces of nature are involved. Then things move at their own pace. Right Dad? :)
Gloating does nothing for unity or peace. Please be inspired by how inclusive and humble both candidates were in their speeches last night.
@HeatherShorter Good morning Heather :) I hope you enjoyed your champagne last night :)
[@vargasl] @adelemcalear awesome points to keep in mind…now we move FORWARD.
@vargasl I’m such a downer when people want to revel in their democratic revenge. Is that a defining Canadian trait? (Good morning!)
[@vargasl] @adelemcalear No, you are not…very wise words. What did you say yesterday about the best export?! (Good morning!)
My favourite tweet last night, just after the announcement, from Australian @fifikins So the war is over and we are out of recession? Sweet!
8 months ago