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Indeed Obama has broken the glass ceiling by
winning the Presidency of America. Notwithstanding the American
constitution, for over 200 hundred years only a certain kind of white
Christians could reach the number one slot. A lot can be inferred from the fact
that not even a white American of Italian, Spanish, Greek or Polish descend
could ever become President. Obama’s election has opened the door of the
White House to all minorities, not just black. Presidency is no more a
forbidden fruit for minorities. It is a 180-degree turn for America.
The impact of this unprecedented election outcome is yet to be seen. A lot
will be written in years to come.
Right now, the change is symbolic. Let us see if Obama
can bring a real “change”. America,
after the II WW, assumed the mantle of the white European colonial powers
to continue the white supremacy over the world. As the history teaches us,
an empire building is a costly enterprise. America, in its pursuit of
world domination, has bankrupted itself and turned into the largest debtor
nation. American spending on defense is unsustainable. A country with only
five per cent of the world’s population has been spending almost half of
the global yearly defense budget. The question is. Will Obama be able to change the American
political psyche that is built on the concept of perpetuating the American
super power status and world domination?
I have my doubt. Historically empires do not surrender their status,
they just collapse within (Soviet Union is
the latest example).
Without undermining the importance of Obama’s election,
I would suggest that let us not “over-praise” the open mindedness of the
American public. India
is a notable example in this respect. In that Hindu-majority country a
Muslim was elected third President of India 41 years ago. Not long ago
President of India was a Muslim, Prime Minister was a Sikh and President of
the ruling party an Italian. A women was elected
to the position of Prime Minister 42 years ego, a barrier that American
women have yet to cross.
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