Point Taken
The symbolism is a powerful draw; the most important, most influential person in the world, the president of the only world super-power, a man of bi-racial heritage, born of a black Muslim Kenyan father and a Christian white American mother, is paying his respects (on a trade mission) to the continent of his origin, while representing a nation that has always subdued, dominated and enslaved African blacks.President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, two individuals of amazingly strong personalities, proud of their heritage broke a barrier that seemed insurmountable. Historic prejudice, historical oppression within a culture that to this day remains deeply divided between those who deny the equality of the entire human race, designating those of colour inferior in character and capability, still wracks the conscience of the nation.
President Barack Obama and his daughter Malia
stand at the bow as they arrive at the House of Slaves on Goree Island
off the coast of Dakar, Senegal.
He can be seen, as he visits African nations, as an ambassador of goodwill, sensitive to past inequities like none other, however.
And there is one thing about this unusual president; he will disappoint more than he will please, in most of the initiatives he undertakes. And he has already, it would appear, dashed the expectations of many, including the blacks of Africa who, though they take pride that 'one of their own' has achieved such power and fame, can never satisfy their yearning for actions they themselves cannot fully fathom.
In the United States, however, there were recently several judicial-cultural-social milestones achieved. Of which this president is proud, unreflective in his black American persona, of how that achievement is viewed by his black African counterparts. In urging African leaders to extend equal rights to gays and lesbians, he is exerting his due influence, but he is also treading incautiously in dangerous shoals.
"When it comes to how the state treats people, how the law treats people, I believe that everybody has to be treated equally", he stated, sanctimoniously. As though this is an issue, as important as it is to the United States which has passed many other vital milestones that African nations are long delinquent in recognizing, which his authoritative voice will compel them to adopt.
African, riven with its tribal antipathies, its religious and sectarian rivalries, its territorial imperatives, its warlike tendencies its traditions demeaning to the dignity of women, its own rampant disease and health ravages, its lack of understanding all too often of what democracy demands of those who head their nations, to eschew graft, corruption and oppression, has its own miserable problems.
President Obama, in Senegal, praised his own country's Supreme Court ruling on equal benefits under federal law for married gay couples. The very concept of which would be social/cultural anathema to his hosts for whom homosexuality represents a dire criminal offence, punishable by years of incarceration. Black-on-black slavery still exists in some parts of Africa, a far more fundamental indignity imposed upon unfortunates.
Senegalese President Macky Saall gathered his independent dignity about his national office to respond that he is proud of his country, for Senegal is "very tolerant", but yet "still not ready to decriminalize homosexuality". Adding that it is up to countries to reach decisions of their own on complex social issues and the administration of justice.
After all, Senegal has taken measures of its own to improve the lot of its people. Including outlawing capital punishment -- while other countries have not. Alluding, needless to say, to the indisputable fact that the kettle that is calling the pot black has not sufficiently polished its sides to remove the grease of some American states remaining reliant on the death penalty.
Labels: Africa, Democracy, Justice, Sexism, Social-Cultural Deviations, United States
posted by Pieface @ Friday, June 28, 2013
<< Home