Reaction to Obama’s victory has begun to arrive from Kenya, where the Illinois Senator traces his roots through his father.
According to this editorial from the Kenya’s Daily Nation, one of two articles from Kenya posted so far on WORLDMEETS.US:
“There are three reasons Kenyans in particular, Africans in general, and the Black race at large, are excited about Senator Barack Obama’s spectacular feat in clinching the U.S. Democratic Party nomination for the presidency.
First, Senator Obama has made history as the first African-American to win such a nomination and vie for the presidency of the world’s sole superpower.
Secondly, he is regarded as a son of Africa who has made it good in the world.
Third, he is a son of Kenya, tracing his roots to this country through his father, who hailed from the present-day Siaya District.
They believe that with this win, their ‘son’ will implement Africa-friendly policies that could lift the continent from poverty.”
But the editorial cautions readers:
“Despite his impressive showing, Obama still has to grapple with red-neck Democrats and diehard racists who may not be so enthusiastic about his candidature.”
EDITORIAL
June 5, 2008
Kenya – The Daily Nation – Original Article (English)
There are three reasons Kenyans in particular, Africans in general, and the Black race at large, are excited about Senator Barack Obama’s spectacular feat in clinching the U.S. Democratic Party nomination for the presidency.
First, Senator Obama has made history as the first African-American to win such a nomination and vie for the presidency of the world’s sole superpower.
Secondly, he is regarded as a son of Africa who has made it good in the world.
Third, he is a son of Kenya, tracing his roots to this country through his father, who hailed from the present-day Siaya District.
That’s why after a bruising battle against Hillary Clinton, most Kenyans celebrated when Mr. Obama won the nomination. They believe that with this win, their “son” will implement Africa-friendly policies that could lift the continent from poverty.
In the United States itself – especially among African-Americans, his nomination is a landmark, as this is a country where winning the right to vote for “people of color” took a long struggle.
But all of the celebration could be premature, for although the senator epitomizes the American dream, he’ll have to constantly look over his shoulder in the run-up to the November elections. One must keep in mind that his presidency isn’t a done deal yet.
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing global reaction to our nation’s historic presidential race.
Founder and Managing Editor of Worldmeets.US