Obamania

It amazes me how much hope society vests in modern day politicians and governments. Traditionally society or the mob, has always loved to be in awe of a leader, whether it be king, pope, or politician. Charisma and the gift of speech is a most effective tool for catching the attention of an audience. A man or woman, with the right voice, vibe, and 'feel', can get others to follow their will. Masters of rhetoric are older than the written word itself, before we wrote it we spoke it. Over the years these great speakers have used their powers to achieve goals that were important to them. Martin Luther for Protestantism, Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X for 'civil' rights. And now today, Barack Obama for 'hope' and 'change'.
Decades ago, the America political landscape had no room for a black politician, much less one with a 'foreign' sounding name. Today things are evidently different. Not only is Obama black, but also his message is a positive one. He has crossed borders and boundaries with an appeal that stretches across gender, age, race, sexual orientation and even nationality. For older people like my parents, people who grew up in an era painted with the billy club stokes of racist police men, bombarded by the images of black Americans being abused en masse by dogs and water hoses, the image of a clean-cut and well-manicured Obama is indeed a sign of hope and change. I cannot help to think, however, that his widespread acceptance by white Americans is somehow a necessary verification for his global appeal.
Obama has an allure that the world cannot seem to shake, and I wonder if I am alone in my doubts. One word comes to mind, cynic. I had a conversation today that went something like this,
"What do you think of Obama?"
"He's a politician."
"What kind, good, bad, ugly? What?"
"They're all the same on one level, they can't be trusted. Obama can't be trusted."
The dangerous part of this 'Obamania' is how blindly people support politicians. One everyone's lips are the words hope and change. But what will Obama change? The corrupt US political system with its acres of complicated lobbies and backdoor interests? Will he be able to keep his promise of restoring morality to America? How does a man restore morality? Obama is a politician, and as such will say anything to get elected. He must appear to be, must be perceived as a man that fits the expectations of the American people. Granted, he has not gone as far as some in ridiculous assertions, but the restoration of morality to a nation is something that even the biblical Jesus could not attain, and he died to try and solve it.
I am encouraged by Obama's rhetoric, but view it only as that, rhetoric. Even rhetoric though, can be a start for change. If anything, this is what he shall accomplish, the beginning of a new direction, which in terms of a life's work is a huge and fantastic feat within itself. However, it's not enough to win an election, and thus the spin cycle continues. And while Obamanics place there hope in the image of a man, his message of society healing itself is lost. Putting us right back where we started, "It amazes me how much hope society vests in modern day politicians and governments." While politicians make promises that they can't possibly be held accountable for, the less wealthy members of society are left out of all processes. They promise to restore morality while a young girl is being raped by an uncle. They say they believe that health care should be available to all but have no comprehensive plan to make that a reality. They promise a crime-free society, yet it is evident that crime is a part of a life where there is money, property, and value. A politician will say anything to get elected. They are not driven by a concern for others but rather by a thirst for power. None to the same degree as the next, but yet it is a main motivator for them all. In Obama it seems the mob has found a symbol. Symbols can fade faster than people, but sometimes they last long after the originators have gone. I hope that Obama can become a symbol for true change.