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BY NORMA STANLEY

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November 13 - 19, 2008

Give Him Time
We can’t change things overnight we need to give him and the new administration a chance.’
BY NORMA STANLEY
Contributing Writer

His campaign was flawless, his demeanor powerful, confident and unflappable, his appeal is global and his election was historicseemingly nothing short of miraculous. As a result, supporters of President-elect Barack Obama throughout the world seem to have placed him on a pedestal, expecting him to leap tall buildings in a single bound.


Since being elected as the next president of the United States last week, Obama has barely had time to exhale. He has, nevertheless, begun preparing to cut through the quagmire of extremely ineffective, unregulated, and additionally risky decisions made by outgoing President George Bush and his administration.


Throughout his campaign, President-elect Obama made a number of promises that resonated with voters from every walk of life, culture and ethnic background, all representing various special interests. However, murmurings both pro and con, have begun among these groups, as well as his opponents, to see what issues Obama will tackle and resolve immediately, putting the future president in an untenable position.


“Although it’s a positive sign that people have so much hope, they also need to be realistic,” says Jane Kidd, chair of Democratic Party of Georgia. “We can’t change things overnight we need to give him and the new administration a chance. He’s jumping in as quickly as possible and as it relates to his detractors, criticism is to be expected, but it has not affected his assurance—which is one of the reasons he won the election,” she stressed.
Now in the process of transitioning to take his place as President of the United States in January 2009, Obama is cautiously assembling his core team of experts and advisors, who will assist him in making good on the many promises made while running for office.


At the top of the list of the many daunting tasks facing Obama, is stopping the runaway train that has become the nation’s economy, which has cost over one million people their jobs due to lay offs this year, and finding ways to absorb some of the burden felt by Americans. Although he has plans to put some of his ideas in action as soon as possible, he does not yet have the power or inclination to do so, as President Bush is still in office. Unfortunately, that does not dim the spotlight on him, nor minimize expectations for him to begin making changes right now.
“There can only be one president at a time and until he is sworn into office, Barack is showing respect for the current administration in not overstepping his bounds,” said Kidd. “He is under tremendous pressure and criticism, but it does not affect his focus, which shows his stability.”


By having witnessed such a successful run for the presidency and millions embracing his vision for positive changes at all levels of life, references have been made describing Obama as almost omnipotent, like Jesus, able to heal all wounds, fix all wrongs and make everything right with the world. Issues such as fixing the economy, healthcare, withdrawing from Iraq and changing attitudes towards race, are among the many heavy burdens on his shoulders, which he seems to feel ready to bear. This is an observation that does not escape religious leaders.


“Although some people think of him as Joshua from the bible, he is not Joshua but he is a part of the Joshua generation,” said Bernice King, youngest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King in a church service held this week at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. “It’s not about an individual, it’s about a people—a chosen generation, of which we all are a part and we all have work to do,” she said. “But the fact that he was elected 40 years after my father’s death is not a coincidence.”


Obama’s ascent to power as leader of the free world leaves many in the African-American community cautiously hopeful and community and religious leaders are also trying to temper the community’s expectations of getting rid of racism in America.
“Before we light candles and sing ‘Kumbaya,’ it may be wise to adjust our expectation to a realistic depiction of attainable goals,” says Bishop T.D. Jakes in a recent Streaming Faith blog, sharing his views about the possibility of a Black president healing the nation’s racial divide. “No one man’s appointment will end all racial tension. Nor will it totally eradicate the residual bitterness inherent in a society where such atrocities as slavery and Jim Crow lie only a few miles behind us,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Obama himself acknowledges that the road ahead will be challenging, but believes it is full of positive change and encourages everyone to come together to help make those changes happen. This is an expression of hope with which millions identify and embrace.


“It’s wonderful that a Black man is to be the next Commander-in-Chief, but he can’t do anything by himself, it will take every one of us—especially African Americans to help him,” says Peggy Hagan, a corporate trainer and avid supporter of Obama. “He will be the President for all people, but as African Americans, he not only represents us internationally, we also represent him and we need to make him proud,” she said.