Published : 19 May 2014, 06:05 PM
With two and a half years left into his presidency, Barrack Obama's achievement so far has been less than dazzling. A new opinion poll released in February found 59 percent of Americans are disappointed in Obama presidency. The political analysts like Andrew Bacevitch is giving him a letter grade of C on his performance, while others are calling his presidency a total failure. However, Obama continues to intrigue the public in the US and people worldwide.
Since he took office in 2009, unlike any other US presidents before him, Obama's every step has been scrutinised. Every major and minor decision including unemployment, budget deficit, not closing the Guantanamo prison, his methods about the way the US Navy Seals captured and killed Osama Bin Laden were placed under the microscope.
His predecessors did not have an easy ride either while at office. We all have witnessed how often George W. Bush was a source of entertainment for his lack of 'intellect' and stupid comments. Obama is neither unintelligent nor naïve, and still he has been an ongoing topic among the political analysts in Washington whether he had any business seeking the highest office of this land.
Let me backtrack a few years to when Obama delivered the keynote address at 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. He stood out for his strength, eloquence, and charisma. People paid close attention to him because he came from a humble beginning where his mother raised him, a child of mixed race, against all odds. The highlight of his debut speech was his call to the Americans to find "unity in diversity" and he became an instant hit. In that captivating speech, he said "There is no liberal America and a conservative America; there is the United States of America." With that statement alone he evolved as a leader and laid out his vision for America for the public.
It will be politically incorrect to state the obvious that because of his biracial upbringing, Obama is often subjected to unnecessary criticisms. In 2008, by defeating his opponent Hilary Clinton, an all-white Midwesterner who came with enormous experience about Washington politics, Obama struck a chord. After George W. Bush, people in the USA were ready to have a different kind of leader. But nonetheless to a lot of people, this junior senator from Illinois, Obama, came as a shock.
It was a challenge to welcome, embrace, and appreciate a person of colour who became their leader. It was, however, a long overdue reality for the minorities and for non-whites like the writer in multicultural America. We were overjoyed that our children, who were born here, like Obama, will overcome the adversity and inequality in a dignified manner, instead of falling victim to racism and a social system that is harsh.
Obama's childhood spent in Indonesia played a huge role in his outlook on life compared to his generation who grew up in the United States. As a boy of mixed heritage he was ridiculed by his peers. Instead of feeling victimised, with his mother's help, he began to study hard, and books became his friends. Books opened an entirely different world to him, and they took him to places that no one or nothing else could. In Indonesia, he detached himself from all the jokes that were intended towards him and in its place learnt compassion, patience, and forbearance which strengthened his resolve and commitment to others.
His sensitivity allowed him the ability to listen to others, and the core attributes he developed early on has made him an effective leader. His compassion, empathy, communication skills, and emotional awareness are qualities that made him a better president than many others before him. With sensitivity and wistfulness, this young visionary called on the Americans to come out of their fractured existence, and no longer to fall victims to the injustices that were meted out to the blacks and minorities.
As an alternative, he challenged them to work hard and to claim their lives as productive citizens. Barrack Obama urged them to have dignity in their lives and instilled in them the belief that accepting any less would be a compromise. This same determination helped him to defy all barriers in a country where racism still plays a big part, and proved that with sheer determination and hard work one can reach his goal.
At the risk of sounding like a cliché I cannot help but mention that Obama is a beacon of hope for millions of disadvantaged poor, misguided youths and suffering Americans. Across America, on a daily basis he is used as an example, who cut through obstacles and made himself a success story. Not that every kid in America aspires to be a future president. His story is a motivation to fight crimes in Detroit, to end violence in South Los Angeles, to end poverty and hopelessness in Jefferson County, Mississippi where homicides, drive-by shootings, dealing drugs, gang fights, and going hungry is a daily norm.
In a very complex role as the president of a large organisation, Obama has fumbled many times. There is no arguing that since Obama took office, unemployment rate is still the highest among the African Americans and he hasn't solved all of America's problems. People tend to forget that America's problems were not caused by Obama alone. Each and every one of his predecessors is responsible for the accumulation of problems which range from having to finance two wars overseas, the soaring budget deficit, and the housing crisis, to name a few.
Given the time the president had, why couldn't he change US government's economic and social priorities, as it was his campaign promise? He could have done more, had he not been challenged and blocked by the Republicans in the Congress, every step of the way. Currently he is fighting the Senate Republicans to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. Despite many hurdles, he made Obama Care a reality for millions of Americans who previously had no health insurance coverage. He saw his own mother suffer through breast cancer, and how insurance companies had kept on denying her claims because of a preexisting condition. To this date 7.5 M Americans have signed up for Obama Care, and under this plan no American will be denied treatment for having preexisting condition. This health care privilege is his greatest gift to the American people.
Aside from his public speeches, press conferences, an occasional guest appearance on TV's late night shows, and cracking some jokes during the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner, Obama's private life remains relatively enigmatic. In a recent interview of outgoing White House deputy chief of staff Alyssa Mastromonaco on the Charlie Rose show, I got a glimpse of a kinder, gentler president Obama. That riveting interview revealed a side of him, which only his close friends and people who have worked with him from the beginning of his first presidential campaign get to experience.
In that candid interview Mastromonaco described a president who holds the utmost respect and love of his White House staff and "often fancies himself a bit of a big brother" to some of his colleagues. Mastromonaco revealed to the audience because of her tiny stature he sometimes refers to her as "shorty," which reveals Obama's playful side. She also described in detail how the school shooting in Newton, Connecticut, deeply affected the president, a father of two girls.
Obama's uniqueness was quite apparent from the moment he went into serving the public and continued onto his presidency. A great orator, a kind human being who is often compared to Abraham Lincoln for having compassion for others and for recognising each human has the right to live a life of dignity and purpose. The way Lincoln had left his legacy by freeing millions of African Americans from the bondage of slavery, Obama will not be too far behind in fighting for the rights of his fellow citizens.
We are beginning to see more reflections on how Obama might come to be regarded post presidency. The evaluation of Obama presidency will be ultimately determined by the historians. They will primarily look into whether he had the support of the people in navigating America during his two terms. There are still two plus years left to his presidency and he may yet surprise his critics by showing whether the country thrived under his leadership and if America is stronger, more prosperous than before.
To many people's utter delight, Mostramaonaco told the viewers of Charlie Rose show that post presidency Obama will spend a great deal of time writing. From his previous published works it is apparent that Barrack Obama is a natural writer and he will produce many works that will be cherished and read all over the world. For now, the critics should refrain from prematurely assigning him a poor grade on his performance. Obama has quite a bit of time left to do great things, and many untold stories to write.
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Zeenat Khan writes from USA.