the joining of voices
kelly | 4 June 2008 - 11:16pm
been reading: Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama
I've been reading this book for the entire primary season because during my EMT class I only had time for a snippet here and there. I bought the book because I was intrigued and inspired by Barack Obama. Or at least I thought I was, and the opportunity to read about his life, as written in his own words, seemed a good way to learn more about him. I was perhaps halfway through the book on the day I voted for him in our state's primary election. And I read the last page yesterday, the last day of the primary season. It's been a bit surreal for me to see Barack Obama simultaneously transform, on the pages, from boy to man and, in politics, from longshot candidate to the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
I don't talk outright about politics much here, although anyone who reads can certainly ascertain where I stand. I have written about not being particularly proud of this country, or at least of the way things are now. To be honest, I'm not sure any president can begin to fix what Bush has phenomenally fucked up. But I do believe Obama is the best one to try. There is sincerity and soul in this man, passion and perspective. There's lots I could say about why I'm behind him, but perhaps the most comprehensive reason is that he seems to be in every way the complete opposite of Bush.
As for the book itself, I have to say I was impressed. It is well-written (and there were no ghostwriters). It reads like a novel. Obama paints pictures of the people and the places he encounters, and his narrative voice is honest and reflective and compelling. Obama's journey is a search for himself and a search for his roots, a journey to understand who he is and who he's meant to become. It is a typical coming-of-age story, except that nothing about his story is typical.
In many ways, his search for self is what comes to define him. In trying to find his place in the world, he becomes a person who fosters community and seeks the similarities that unite us all. He is acutely aware of the injustices that surround him and yet he chooses to focus on the good and to work for change. Somehow, he is both realistic and optimistic. One example of this almost paradoxical perspective comes at the end of the book, as he describes his disappointment at what he often finds in law books:
...for every Brown v. Board of Education I find a score of cases where conscience is sacrificed to expedience or greed. And yet, in the conversation itself, in the joining of voices, I find myself modestly encouraged, believing that so long as the questions are still being asked, what binds us together might somehow, ultimately, prevail.
He seems to have this inherent belief that he can be better, that we can be better. And that message gives even a cynic like me some hope.
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I am intrigued by Obama as well although I do not agree with his Politics and his proposals on certain issues.
I also do not think that The Whitehouse (Bush) should take complete blame for the "phenomenally fucked up" because there is also the House and Senate to blame and rarely does anyone point fingers in that direction.
This country is, as Abe says "of the people, by the people, for the people". We the people are to blame.
I hope that Obama gets his chance to make changes. Even if I don't vote for him. He will also "phenomenally fuck" something up. But I will support him, because he is one of the people.
Somehow, he is both realistic and optimistic.
I think that is exactly why I find him so refreshing and inspiring. It's such a change from how I've always felt about politics. I hope it lasts!
WOW!
WIlliam, you said such a whole lot with your posting.
Well done and well said!
-Chrissycat
Thanks for the review. It can be so frustrating to try to get a handle on politics, because there is a certain amount of necessary playing-of-the-game that has to happen. I like to see someone who is able to play the political game and still have ideals. I hope that Obama turns out to be that kind of president. I've been thinking about reading Scott McClellan's book, so maybe reading this one at the same time will be a good antidote.
As to William's comment, I agree it is never solely the president's fault, and the sitting president is often blamed for or praised for things that were completely outside of their doing. However, I think that this particular administration has been especially notorious for fostering an atmosphere of secrecy and manipulation of facts to reach their own chosen ends.
I definitely see your point, William. Although I do have a little trouble placing blame on The People when so many of us were absolutely against the poor decisions that have been made. We are responsible for putting every leader into office (although half of us won't take credit for putting W there), but it's impossible to know how anyone will actually conduct themselves once they are in power. I wasn't given the opportunity to vote about going to war, and my representatives certainly did not represent me in that Congressional vote. Certainly the next president will make mistakes, but in that regard I don't think McCain or Obama could compete with the current administration, which I saw referred to just today as "historically disastrous." Where they went wrong is when they started ignoring the "for the people" part. I agree that as citizens we should join together and support our leaders, but in return I expect honesty and sincere effort from them, and in that I believe they failed us.
I hope so too, geeky. I believe he's the real deal. Unfortunately, I also believe that gives him a major disadvantage in the general election. I'm not convinced the majority of this country is ready for the kind of change he proposes. So it goes with democracy, I guess...
It's good to see you here again, Chrissycat!
Hi Ern! You left your comment just as I was formulating mine, and we were saying similar things. :) Are you holding out any hope for Edwards as VP? I've heard him say he's not interested, but he would be among my top choices for a running mate.
I voted for him in the primary, but I'm not so sure about him right now. The media is totally messing with my mind right now. The gun control thing still freaks me out even though I've never fired one. If people get all fucked in the head in this economy and try to harm me or my family, then you'd better believe I'll be reaching for the guns. Hillary and Obama are anti-guns. I'm not sure that more taxes are what we need right now either, and that's what we're going to get with Obama. I don't think we've seen the worse of this crisis yet. Hold on to your seats. I'm also worried that Obama will not get to see the end of his term if elected. There are too many freaks out there that will try to take him out. I figured the same would happen to Hillary, too, I'm sad to say. Boy, I make a great argument for guns, don't I? If Edwards runs with Obama, that would definitely help me make a decision. C'mon Edwards!
good work, Kelly!
glad to know things are finally looking brighter on your side of the world. hope ain't audacious if you're sincere.
that is all.
Mutha, I actually agree with Obama on pretty much everything. That he is also inspiring and seems to possess goodness is icing on the cake. But the concerns you have illustrate that you are approaching this intelligently, thinking through the issues. My hope is that people listen to both candidates and vote for the one they think has the right answers, instead of voting for one just because he looks like them or is with a certain party or has a normal name. And like you, I am also worried about the risk of assassination, even during the campaign season. In so many ways that would be devastating.
Hi jane! I'm hopeful but not getting my hopes up. The last presidential election fucking Blew My Mind. I haven't had faith in this system since. We'll see....
I've posted about Obama before, and I frankly am glad he is the nominee. There is a lot I like about the man, mostly that he is a great orator. My friends and the talking heads on the conservative side keep saying "So the man can speak, so what? Nobody seems to realize what he will actually DO." I know his policies and that is why I likely won't vote for him, but that said, being a great speaker is a HUGE asset to the presidency.
I don't blame Bush for everything and I still believe he is an honest, well intentioned person who has been led astray by his loyalty to some of his buddies. I think it's atrocious that congress has accomplished absolutely NOTHING since the last election. I'm not a fan of John McCain's either. I won't be devastated if Obama wins in November, but I guarantee you if you think you're pinching pennies now, just wait till our taxes skyrocket...which they undoubtedly will. (You is not YOU, Kelly, I mean you...everybody.) :)
I was just having an email conversation about politics with my brother (mainly because I have started calling him out on all the anti-Democratic Party forwards he sends), which is very unusual for our family. I asked him if he thought anyone can fully endorse a candidate's stance on allllll issues, or if there is always going to be something you disagree with in a candidate.
In general I find politics extremely frustrating to witness. Hopefully Obama's sense of hope will prevail! Thanks for the review.
As a Canadian watcher Obama comes across very well on the media. I really look forward to what happens in the future and keep my fingers crossed for you all.
If you liked the book I may go read it. I need inspiration.
Thanks for your thoughts, MM. For once (in my voting lifetime, anyway), the choice in November isn't just choosing between two evils. I feel very strongly about Obama, but the thought of McCain as president doesn't make me die inside. I don't think he's the best option, but he's a better option than some of the potential Republican candidates. For that, I'm grateful.
I think it's great you're having conversations that you usually don't have in your family, Jenski. Just getting people talking, defending (and thus thinking) can bring about change. Or, if not bring change, at least teach us to see each other's perspectives a bit better.
One of the things I like about Obama, Kranki, is the signal his election would send to the international community: We fucked up. We get it. We're ready to see things from a more enlightened perspective now. If we elect McCain, I think the world will groan and officially give up on us.
It's inspiring as a big picture, jana, but the details are discouraging. There are a lot of impoverished, unjust, seemingly-impossible situations that he portrays in the book. But his take on them is what I find inspiring.