Hamas : Identified

December 12, 2008.
Death roll hits close to 300.

They say they are targeting Hamas. Apparently, Hamas looks like this now:

And Israel announced......this is just the beginning.

"Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Saturday that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will deepen and widen its offensive in the Gaza Strip as much as needed...The Israeli minister explained "there is a time for cease-fires and a time to fight, and now is the time to fight."

Welcome to Palestine

Hundreds of bodies lay sprawled across the burning streets. Blood lines the sidewalks, decorated by the various trinkets that were once a part of someones existence. Body parts are scattered, like litter. As men walk over the bodies, they help the ones that are closer to life. Those who survived the attacks. I never thought men could cry in such agonizing pain, I thought to myself as a man fell to his knees in blood-curdling screams yelling at the sight of the disaster. Could that be his brother he is standing over? Tears swelled in my eyes as I watched the most beautiful baby girl with a mass of blond curls whimpering as she takes her last breath of air on a makeshift hospital bed. Her little hands clung to her purple coat, limp and helpless. Where is her mother? I thought to myself. I couldn't shake the feeling that the sounds of sirens, wailing, and blasts in the background were the last sounds of life to this little girl. Probably sounds filled her life, as well.

This is genocide. Welcome to Palestine.

December 27, 2008 Israel attacks Gaza, Palestine and kills at least 225 men, women and children and injures 750 others. In one day. Bloodiest day since 1967.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the operation to "obliterate Hamas will continue as long as it takes". To "obliterate" Hamas, meaning, destroying every dying thread left in the war grounds known as Palestine. Release 30 missiles and wipe out families, homes, schools, hospitals (or at least what is LEFT of these), to find and demolish Hamas.
When will it stop? The people of Palestine have no where to turn to - literally. The wounded could barely get medical attention.
"We lack everything, we lack medical equipment, we lack anesthesia, we lack bandages, we lack fuel for ambulance vehicles, we lack medicine, everything," cries Muawiyah Hassanein head of Gaza's Ambulance and Emergency Department. U.S.-supplied high technology Israeli weaponry versus poorly-funded, underdeveloped Hamas artillery.

The 100 tons of bombs came mid-morning, when all schools and offices were up and running with children and their working families. Not the typical night attacks that Palestine is used to. Strategic move.
This is genocide.

And the global reaction? Condemnation. A word. A slap on the wrist. Their Arab neighbors watched in shock and horror and "condemned" Israel for such a horrific act. Really, to save the 6-six year old dying girl who is being carried miles down because there are no available or working ambulances, she's going to need a little more than your disapproval, fellow Arabs.

Here are a few of these reactions (obtained from The Saudi Gazette):
"President Abbas demands that the Israeli government stop this aggression immediately to spare our people its painful effects.." Aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
"Egypt condemns the Israeli military attacks.." Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak
"...Whilst we understand the Israeli government's obligation to protect its population we urge maximum restraint to avoid further civilian casualties. We also call on militants in the Gaza Strip to immediately cease all rocket attacks on Israel" British foreign office
"...The raids against innocent people are unforgivable and unacceptable" Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman
"We are very concerned at the events in Gaza. We call for an immediate ceasefire.." Spokesman for EU foreign policy chief
"The IDF will continue its operations against terror in accordance with constant status assessments by the IDF Chief of General Staff. This operation will be continued, expanded and intensified as much as required" Israeli Defense Force statement


The Arab community is so afraid of their political future and relations with the West, a simple "bad, bad, Israel" will have to suffice. The West, obviously with very strong Israel ties, did not call for an end to the attacks. They did however call for Hamas to stop their attacks. Never once did they mention the hundreds of civilians lining the streets of the slaugther house of Palestine. "Hamas' continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop...The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza," in a statement made by White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.



They have absolutely no one. Arab world, gone. Muslim world, no where to be found. The United Nations? Forget about it. The United States? Yea, right.

This is genocide.

It baffles me how a people could be ignored for so long? They are forced to leave a land that has been their home for centuries. They are protecting their religious site, the third Holy site of Islam - Al Aqsa Mosque. It is the responsibility of the Muslim world to help. Where is the action? Words cannot save.

Their lives are destroyed. With no medical care, little food, and no protection, they are forced to escape into bordering countries, primarily Egypt and Jordan. Once there, they are subject to the ill-mannered treatment of unwanted refugees, again finding it difficult to integrate into society and access public services (i.e. hospitals etc). Living in constant fear and struggle.

Sometimes I believe that this is the fate of the Palestinian people. They've been fighting for thousands of years. In 608 B.C. Palestine was attacked by an Egyptian force under the Pharaoh and in 597 B.C. the city was invested and fell victim to a severe famine. Then another wave of struggle was brought on by the rebellion of King Zedekiah.

This is genocide. And right now, God is their only hope.

The shoe felt across the world

It was as if the ENTIRE world was watching the same joke in different languages. Versions of what happened were recreated, videos posted, jokes passed around. Protesters riled the streets chanting the victory of a hero.
On the 14th of December, 2008, the President of the United States George W. Bush got not one, but two shoes hurled at him during a press conference in Iraq.

Just as fast as George Dubyah ducked, the world turned into a frenzy of emotions.

From Malaysia's foreign minister calling it the "best show of retaliation so far..that remarkable reporter who gave President bush his final farewell last week" and adding that it was "the best weapon of mass destruction to the leader who coined the phrase 'axis of evil' to denote Iran, Iraq, and North Korea"
... to media sources in North Korea saying he "deserved it" and "likened his demeanor to a cock soaked in the rain" (aligned with a Korean proverb);
.. to a more grassroots reaction of thousands of protesters in countries like Pakistan and Iraq,
...to an Egyptian man even offering his 20-year-old daughter as a wife to the 28-year-old Iraqi journalist known as Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the shoe throw was symbolic.

In the Arab world to reference a shoe as an insult to someone is probably one of the most disrespectful forms of expression. "Adeek bil gazma" literally meaning "I'll give it to you with a shoe," is just what al-Zeidi did to the U.S. Commander in Chief.

The incident ignited such a powerful global reaction, I can't help but feel a little pity towards the man who is now by far the most hated man in the world. The crazy part is, he knows it, too.

An official portrait of the U.S. president was unveiled in the Washington D.C. National Gallery today to which he jokingly remarked: ""I suspected there would be a good-sized crowd, once word got out about my hanging."

He has no idea.

Within hours of the press conference, gamers went to work and now there are several dozens different websites launched where the avid shoe thrower can go and actually try his or her luck at hitting President Bush: http://kroma.no/2008/bushgame, http://www.sockandawe.com, and flash.vg.no/grafikk/bush/kast_sko.html to name a few.

There was also a wide reaction of not-so-pleased audience members who think the shoe throwing incident was disrespectful and unnecessary. Now, I can understand where these feelings come from. You have an official visiting your country, it would be proper to act in a civilized way so as not to create a scene, start a negative chain of events, things of that sort - basic courtesy and common sense - I mean I would never do such a thing. The possibility of spending 15 years in prison? I think I'll pass.

..However...

being responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis, displacing thousands more, creating a surge of fear and constant anxiety across the globe, that beats disrespect. I'm not speaking on behalf of al-Zeidi , but I can imagine that he, along with many many other Iraqis (and other nationalities for that matter) was just fed up, angry, and washed out with the turmoil that his country has been through for the past 4 years. And then seeing you there, Mr. President, standing in front of him claiming "the war is not over, yet" "peace is still to come" - empty words to a man who has probably seen family and friends killed or disappear, it's just not a very common sense or logical moment in time. He just flipped and threw his shoes at your head calling you a dog.

Not very classy and not very tactful and he's probably going to pay the price (if he hasn't already). But I think in order to understand why the shoe left his feet and almost landed on George Bush's face, you must put yourself in al Zeidi's place.

By far on the list of my "Oh my God! 2008 moments" (Coming soon)

Under the veil of racism

Racism is a complex and ugly concept that one usually associates with the trying times of African American slavery in the early 1900s. It comes as a shock to many people, especially to my peers in the United States, when I mention that a certain level of racial discrimantion exists, pretty strongly, in the Arab world. A few have said to me: "but how come? Arabs aren't really white, so they can't really be racist." Oh, but they can. See, they're not black.

I can't put my finger on when it was exactly that I realized my being black made me stand out from amongst my Arab friends through middle and high school. I fondly remember an incident in 1991 living in the harsh winterland of Helsinki, Finland. My family was most definitly a striking difference to the regular Finnish blond haired blue eyed, fair-skinned family. We were riding on the bus heading into town. My father is on the dark end of the "color spectrum" (I say color spectrum, because its significance will be later explained in this post). A little Finnish girl gazed up at this dark man with her bright blue eyes and courageously rubbed my father's arm. She inquisitvely looked at her hand, in pure amazement that the "black" did not rub off.

It wasn't that moment, though.

There was this time, when, in high school, I was sitting with a group of my friends in the hallway. One of the boys, a regular jokester, made a very loud, very funny comment, apparently, saying to me: "Noon, what do YOU know? You're a maid, anyways!" Abda was the word he used. Technically meaning, a slave, referring to Black slaves. The laughter that vibrated across the hallway was strange. It wasn't the attacking, intending to hurt ME. It was that the joke was just sincerely FUNNY to these people. That's where the prejudice is a little different. It's just....accepted.

Speaking purely from my experience in Saudi Arabia, now. I don't care what anybody says. Racism exists. It's stench stretches across the Saudi man's disgusted gaze at "the help" - whether it be a Filipino maid, or an Indian driver; it exists on the words of the young boys driving by my car yelling "ya Asmarani!" (a fond way of saying: Hey black one!); it exists in the thousands of commercials emphasizing the beauty of fair skin; it exists in the obsolteness of a darker skinned Arab singer; and through nonchalant abda jokes.

It's funny because it's not a concept Arabs - whether dark skinned or not - really think about or discuss. Or, perhaps, the more correct thing to say is that it is not KNOWN that the issue is being talked about, given widespread integrated media censorship.


I remember two incidents in Lebanon and Egypt in which, upon passing by some locals, something to the effect of: "oh how pretty she is, too bad she's Black" - was shouted towards me. Now, the strange thing is in some cases, like the above, is that these locals were acutally sincere in their comments, and I know to them, its not a matter of racism. It's a matter of preference. Fair skin in the Arab world is historically a sign of beauty. So, as much as I wanted to shout back at the ignorance of random discriminatory messages, I hold myself back because it's a cultural thing. I told myself not to get upset when, oddly enough, Arabs would enthusiastically say "show us a rap!" or "do that new Janet Jackson move!" My response always upset them, yielding a "what kind of a Black person are you anwaysys?" All I could think to myself was - "the kind that's from Sudan."


If we venture past the Middle East into the Black Continent, or Africa, it is quite ironic that you will also come across a different kind of race issues. Speaking particularly on Sudan, now. Sudan - its root "sood" means "black" - so "land of the Black". One would think the racial pride radiating from the "land of the Black" is widespread. However, that is not quite the case. Society places a lot of emphasis on women's beauty, strongly dependent on the lightness of the skin! It is very common to find a Sudanese woman who uses special creams to bleach her skin or uses enormous amounts of makekup to ligthen their complexion creating a clown-like appearance. Even within families, it is quite common to play favorites among the daugthers of lighter complexion, who usually are awarded for their "beauty" by being a hot commodity for marriage. Now, this is not a trend that is characterized in each family in Sudan and, nowadays with the overarching channels of media and the new generation of globalized youngsters, it is not something that is as apparent as the past. But the concept of the "color spectrum" totally exists. You hear it on the old Sudanese women's random comments rambling that "it's fine she's not THAT dark" or "she's fair-skinned; absolutely beautiful!"


There's a fine line between a preference of race and then the outward disrespect. I turned on my TV during the holy month of Ramadan a couple of months ago (September-ish) and, like many ex-patriats living in the region, was surprised at what I was watching. Recently awareness campaigns have taken a step forward and produced several ads like the following:

Translation: “Put it. Don’t you understand me? Put the rice! DAMNIT! Go, get out of my face.”
“What’s wrong with her, doesn’t she understand?”
“She’s abnormal.”

Translation:


Scene 1: "Rahma! Come here! What's wrong with this ironing? Looks horrible, like your face! Just like your work, horrible!"


Scene 2:"Sir, can I get my salary? I haven't gotten my salary for 2 months."

"You're annoying me! I told you, I have no money. You want me to go steal for you or what? There are some people that haven't received their salary for 3 or 4 months!"


Scene 3: "God damn you! Hurry up! Where the hell did you come from anyway?!"


Scene 4: "Excuse me sir, I would like to get your permission to go visit my daughter and check up on her at the hospital."

"What do you mean you would like to be excused? Work is work. After the shift, you can go check on her. Am I responsible for your family as well?"



Scene 5: (text) Those who do not show mercy


"Oh God, show mercy on me, please. Help me, my Lord, I am weak."

(text) Will not be shown mercy.

These "Rahma" ads or "Mercy" ads have just recently been widely circulated across the Middle East. Incidents like the ones presented in the two advertisements, are largely common within the Arab world and are reflective of how some maids and drivers are treated in households. Whether their message has proven effective is hard to tell, however, I strongly beleive that the initiative in producing such strong public service annoucnements is a great first step. The cultural image of race is something that is quite complex. It is quite embedded within society, I don't know if we need a Martin Luther King Jr. to rile up the masses in order to confront the issue or an Erykah Badu to break the mold, but I think that the first step in uncovering the racism that exists in the Arab world would be in not pretending the veil has nothing to hide. Indeed mentalities are difficult and seemingly impossible to change, however, I am enthusiastic to see how the sands of time that blew through the decades of slavery unveiling an African American president, will blow through the deserts of our history, as well.

What does President Obama mean for Sudan?

When the annoucement was made that President Elect Barack Obama was nominated as the 44th president of the United States, no one can deny the victorious cheer that resonated across the globe. An example that I'm going to go with hits close to home. All my friends from Sudan were beyond ecstatic at Obama's sweeping triumph. Whether they were people I knew that resided within Sudan or ex-patriates living abroad - they were undoubtedly thrilled at the new U.S. president. I was, and still am, right there beside them sharing their excitement. Alas, not all is rose-colored my friends.

I want to ask you, especially, fellow Sudanese aged 18-27: why are you so ecstatic at Obama's nomination? Is it because it's just NOT McCain or does he possess some kind of ideal that you find immeausureably admirable? Lastly, and this is the point I want you to really reflect on..do you, fellow Sudanese, know what Obama's presidency means to our home country?



I didn't think so.



It is our responsibilty, our duty to know, to understand to be prepared for what's to come. Sure President Elect Obama is a wonderful man. He's charming, he represents the ideals of change, progressiveness, the silver lining in the course of bad U.S. political affairs. Plus, he's an ethnic minority. Always a plus, right? But it's more than that. So much more. This situation needs to be viewed at via Obama's team. First, his Vice President, Joe Biden.



Senator Biden is the chairman of the foreign relations committee at the US senate and presided over many hearings discussing the situation in Darfur. He has been extremely active and voiceful in regards to the Darfur issue.

In April 2007 he said "it’s time to put force on the table and use it." Biden said that senior US military NATO officials in Europe told him that 2,500 U.S. troops could “radically change the situation on the ground [in Darfur]”.

So, after letting that marinate for a little, I urge you to ask yourself again - what does this mean for Sudan?

Allow me to pose future scenarios. The U.S. is facing one of its most challenging times in its history: the economic crisis. Barack Obama is going full-fledged with this #1 issue on America's minds. He just completed setting up his economic advisory board, fully equipped with former Federal Reserve chairman Paul A. Volcker, and is preparing himself for some serious investiagtions and assessments to possible solutions on this growing problem. You can say that starting January 20, 2009, Obama's schedule will pretty much be heavily dedicated towards dealing with this financial mess. So, as far as Washington's foreign-relations are concerned, there are loud whispers among sources that Hillary Clinton will be appointed as President Obama's Secreatry of State. It's looking more and more certain that Hillary will be taking over on C Street.

In a letter to President George Bush dated February 8, 2008, Hillary Clinton urged the administration to work towards tackling the Darfur situation:

"The genocide in Darfur must be brought to an end, and the United States has a responsibility as a world leader to bring its weight to bear in order to achieve peace...It is time for this administration to develop a clear, coherent policy toward Sudan and to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to stop this tragedy.”


Through various amendments and speeches, Sen. Clinton makes it utterly clear that "the United States should apply all points of pressure" to ensure that the govenrment of Sudan takes action to stop the situation in Darfur.

Essentially, Obama's VP and his potential Secretary of State will be the ones leading all things foreign-related while he strives to tackle the economic state of the country. With that said, I ask you, fellow Sudanese, once again: what does this mean for our country?


I believe, passionately, that over 200,000 civilian deaths and 2.5 million displaced is not something to shrug your shoulders and casually look the other way about. Not at all. But while Brtain ruled over India, Lord Louis Moutbatten told Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi: "If we just leave, there will be chaos," to what Ghandi replied: "Yes, but it will be our chaos."

Darfur is a horrible situation, one that, without a doubt, needs critical attention. But it is our responsibility, our chaos. The very LAST thing Sudan needs is U.S. forces injected into our country. We do not need another Iraq. As editor of Newsweek International Fareed Zakaria stated: "if the United States acted alone or with a small coalition - invading its third Muslim country in five years - the attempt would almost certainly backfire, providing the Sudanese government with a fiery rallying cry against "U.S. imperialism."


So in effect, when 2009 rolls around, strengthetning U.S. pressure on Sudan, by however methods they deem necessary, may be a top item on the Presidential to-do list. The only aspect that may possibly withstand a move towards that direction is again, the troubled economy. Right now, the U.S. does not have the money to send a ship to Somalia to ratify the piracy happening off the coast of Somalia or send more troops to the lingering situation in Afghansitan, let alone plan, train, manage and command another military movement to Sudan. But if the economy does begin to straighten itself out, the prospect is still out there.

So, I ask you again, fellow Sudanese: what does President Obama really mean for Sudan?

The world is your playground - you can't escape the bully.

America is everywhere. From the 100 Billboard Singles being played on my TV in Saudi Arabia, to McDonald's in Kuala Lampur. The United States influence has literally reached every corner of the Earth. Now, there are some places like in Khartoum, Sudan where, given the not-so-close US-Sudan relations, one cannot see a Starbucks at every corner nor the big golden arcs beaming from every direction. For political reasons that I choose not to get into (at least not now), countries like Sudan do not host the enterprises that make America the powerhouse of the globe. But, don't go waving your Sudanese flag in nationalistic pride just yet. We may not have Kentucky Fried Chicken, but we sure do have California Fried Chicken. Pizza Hut? No, we offer Pizza Hot. And for the good ol' golden arcs, we don't conform. You can find: Lucky Meal, proudly boasting an M, not to be mistaken for the McDonald's "m".


Globalization is everywhere. It's seeping into every nook and cranny of every country. You cannot possibly escape it. Let me make myself clear: I have nothing against the concept of globalization. I think Thomas Friedman, globalization expert, makes some excellent eye-opening points about globalization. However, I have some...well..concerns.


1) Since when does globalization necessarily mean Americanization?


2) Can globalization and culture live in harmony?





When I observe the world around us and how fast things are changing, I cannot help but imagine a typical middle school playground. You have the bully and you have the frail outcast. The bully is there. Always there. He's watching you and if you got something he wants, he'll get it. If the frail outcast, with his coke-bottle glasses, doesn't conform to what the bully wants, he's done. Your time at the playground will be your worst nightmare. No swings, no see-saw. Nothing. If you give in to the bully, maybe even be his sidekick and start talking and dressing like him, your chances of surviving in that playground look pretty darn good.


Do you see where I'm going?


The United States is like one big bully. It is the newest country in the world. But boy the U.S. of A. came in with a vengeance. The 232-year old independent nation is the world's super power. Countries that do not go in line with what the U.S. puts forth, are immediately black listed, sanctioned, or something else that can ultimately harm their economy or development. It's 4th grade all over again.


I do not hate the United States. Not at all. Their ideals of freedom and opportunity are unique and the driving factor of their global advancement and success. I have the U.S. to thank for my education. So for that, I am grateful. If anything, I have to give the U.S. credit. Kudos for their ability to have the entire world strive to be like them, be loved by them, or just settle to not be hated by them. Even countries who have U.S. imposed economic sanctions, still have the smell of Western influence drizzled across the country.


Example. During the hypness of the U.S. elections, there was this global frenzy going on. I was in Sudan this past summer. There are these 3-wheeled battery powered cars called "rakshas" they're the cheaper form of transportation, found also in India - they're very noise, very unsafe, very cheap. I spotted a raksha speeding past us one hot day in Khartoum with a big bold sticker in its back window proudly reading: "OBAMA"

Still not satisfied?

Well, try visiting one of the run down cities of Khartoum. Electricity and water are luxuries. When they manage to get the electricity up and running again after 48-hours of shortages, you better believe that you will hear 50 Cent's "In the Club" blasting through the old 1970s tape player.

Globalization.



Then the culture issue comes to play. Globalization has no culture. It's an entity, a movement, a force that has no limitations. It does not take into account the implications on a country's culture or traditions. So you are then faced with young adults in developing nations whose parents, and parents' parents seem like totally different species. These 18, 19-year-olds with their hip hugging jeans, adorned with their iPods and Steve Maddens, and E!TV, speak a completely different language than their families. Their heads are utterly and totally geared toward "that day" when they will finally be in univesity in the States or in the U.K...when they can let out an exasperated sigh: "finally I'm home." Should a line be drawn? Should someone grab these young people by the shoulders and scream : "you're NOT American!" Should we shut them in their rooms prohibiting the forces of globalization to rape them of their cultural backbone?



I think the answer lies in the stigma associated with the word "bully". A balance is needed in where we can look at this bully, at his positive traits, use them. And for everything else, keep our coke-bottle glasses on despite the name-calling and accept the fact that the playground will always be run by someone else.

Sarah's Fate

From her designer glassess to her snazzy outfits, Governor Sarah Palin was in and out like the hi-top fade cut trend. She definitly created a stir within the campaign. Unfortunately her light didn't shine so bright as things progressed in the election. There's a number of factors which led to her short-lived popularity, many which are now voiced by anonymous Republican campagin sources. She came in with such a full force, though. The media had a field day with her. The opposing campaign had to have felt some kind of concern over their fate. I have to admit, it was a very strategic move by McCain - trying to save his troubled campaign by adding a young, "picture perfect" woman. No shady past, can relate very much to the typical American woman and can compensate for the issue about McCain's age. We didn't know it then, but after the campagin was over and President Elect Obama celebrated his victory, things here and there crept up about Sarah Palin - her inability to stay on cue with speech topics, the controversy surrounding her pricey wardrobe, prioritizing her own self-interest ahead of the campaigns'. So now that she's basically been admired, questioned, examined, scrutinized, and then forgotten by the American public and the media - what's Sarah's fate? Travel back to Alaska and regain control of her position as the Governor? Some have suggested starting up a talk show? Travel around the nation and deliver speeches? Stay at home and take care of her growing family?

I have a suggestion. What about becoming a "community organizer"? Apparently they're known to make something of themselves and even end up becoming Presidents.

We're not racist, we just like to pretend you don't exist

The elephant in the room. That's the first phrase that came to mind when I read a Nov. 6 article published on the NY Times entitled "Among Young Muslims, Mixed Emotions on Obama." The article describes the sentiment of various Muslim college students for Obama.

"It was easy for them to love the candidate. With the same passion, and for the same reasons that millions of other young people did, they loved Barack Obama's call to activism, the promise of change, the sheer newness of the guy. What was hard was feeling they could not show it because they were Muslims."

Now, that's kind of aggravating. I know, I know, I know post 9/11, "Muslim" "Islam" "Allah" "Jihad" "Mosque" have all been words that create a tidalwave of shock, fear, and an inevitable nervous smile coupled with a hasty exit. Bringing any kind of empathy toward those 'Muslims' is a big no-no within the political arena. But I have to ask myself, and you, dear reader, what gives? It just seems plain silly that having Muslim supporters is something to be ashamed of. Shouldn't it manifest your peaceful vision for the nation? Shouldn't it prove, even more, your ideal for "not a White, not a Black, not an Asian America but a UNITED States of America?"

The article states: "The campaign had dismissed a Muslim staff member for seemingly flimsy reasons. A campaign worker had shuttled two young Muslim women wearing head scarves out of the line of sight of TV cameras at a rally."

I'm a woman. I'm Muslim and I wear a headscarf. If I was an American citizen, I would be the FIRST person in line to vote for Mr. Obama, fully adorned with my long-sleeved Obama for Change shirt. No problem. But I can't help but think - why am I so outspoken about my support for you, when you use every possible twist and turn NOT to show your support of me? Maybe I'm too hopeful, maybe I've got my head in the clouds. Afterall, it is all politics. It would, as these young college students stated, badly hurt his campaign if he outwardly voiced his love, support, empathy and acceptance of Muslim Americans.

Then the unthinkable happend. Good ol' Colin Powell.
Answering a question about Mr. Obama's faith, Mr. Powell said: "Well, the correct answer is he is not a Muslim, he’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?”
That made me wanna pat the man on the back. A Republican, formerly a part of the Bush administration, told America that Muslims are not necessiarily the poision that they are painted to be. Okay, maybe not in those particular words. But, it felt nice.
Now, I have to admit. When I first heard Mr. Powell say that, I thought to myself, "Hmm..this seems to be a calculated response, strategically placed for Mr. Powell to say something Obama can't. And since Powell had at this point already endorsed Obama, it could be taken as Obama's viewpoint too. Instead he wouldn't get the *Gasp! A terrorist supporter* response for it. "
But there's my cyncial side once again. It could or could not be the case.

So, although we may not hear "Muslim Americans, America feels your struggles" anytime soon, I'm not going to hate President Elect Barack Obama for it. Don't wanna raise my expactions too high. I'm happy enough that his middle name wasn't made into too much of an obstacle for him. For now, let's just pretend the Elephant in the room doesn't exist; the Donkey JUST made its way in, and people are loving it.

Don't OD on the race card!

The dawn of a new era has settled upon us. As millions of viewers tuned in to witness a historical moment in our history when Barack Obama was elected as the president of the United States of America, millions more shed tears of pure exhilarated joy that finally, after years of struggle, a Black man made his way into the White House and into the most powerful position of not only the very country where the last lynching took place less than 30 years ago, but the world.

But how much is too much? It seems that every station I tune in to, every paper I read through, every headline I glance over, reads something to the effect of: "Barack Obama: First African American president in the U.S." or "The first Black man in U.S. history as president." The recurring statements just keep on coming. Whether its through the excited voices of African Americans proclaiming their pride or in running commentaries headlining Obama's race. I very much agree with something former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell said in an interview with CNN saying that "President-elect Obama is going to be a president for all of America", although he happens to be Black. I like that. "Happens to be Black". We, as a people, cannot be confused. Mr. Obama was not running as a Black president, he ran as a President. Plain and simple. The only way the U.S. can break free of the racial divide that has become so embedded in society is to quit the labeling. It's easier said than done, I know. But it gets a little much when I see the ample exposure that is just NOW being shed on the fact that the President-Elect is...BLACK! CNN International, God love them, did a whole piece on it. Went to the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in Atlanta, Georgia. Interviewed various African Americans, devoted a lot of time to honor the struggle that was endured in this long journey for Black people in America.
.....really?! Come on. I don't want to sound cynical, but where was all this pre-Obama? Did it JUST dawn on someone that slavery was outlawed, like, less than 50 years ago?! I'm going on a tangent, but if you, me, the media, African Americans, Caucasians, want to celebrate the victory of Mr. Obama, fine. But please, PLEASE don't celebrate it on account that he is Black. That does not, I repeat, DOES NOT, mean that he will be a wonderful leader. And it's going to backfire. It's going to perpetuate the color divide among us. We cannot focus on that, Mr. Rupert Murdoch, or whoever controls the media.
And to my fellow Black people (I'm saying Black, not only African Americans), do not linger in this aspect. Do not, please, over dose on the race card. It is indeed a fantastic, joyous occasion that America could look beyond color in electing their president, but do not show that that is the ONLY thing you are proud of. He will be president of the UNITED States of America. It's not "President-elect Obama, welcome to the Black House!" It's not "We got a BLACK man in charge now", no. Let's not walk 50 years back mentally; let's see this victory for what it truly is, an EDUCATED, FORWARD-THINKING, DEDICATED, HUMBLE, INSPIRING leader has been elected.....who just happens to be Black.

Definition: Obamania [o-bah-mey-nee-yuh] : noun

Obamania : (n).; used to describe the intense emotions that are associated with Barack Obama's election as president of the U.S.A.

The response was indescribable. Dancing in the streets, singing, celebrating. Festivites of all kinds. An article published on the New York Times Politics Blog The Caucus Blog listed various reactions observed from around the globe. From the renown city of Obama's late father -Kisimu, Kenya:


"Thousands of people sang, danced, blew whistles, honked horns, hugged, kissed and thumped on drums — all down the same streets where not so long ago huge flames of protest had raged.“Who needs a passport?” people yelled. “We’re going to America!”

to the U.A.E.:


“I want Obama to win with 99 percent, like Saddam Hussein,” said Hani Abu Ayyash, who was monitoring the early returns at his computer. “I swear, if he doesn’t win, I’m going to take it personally.”



to India:



"At the American Center nearby, where big screen television monitors broadcast news of the election, Sukanya Bhardwaj, 19, a college student studying politics, said Obama’s victory was testament to the candidate’s abilities but also to the maturity of American voters. “It has become the greatest democracy,” she said. “It has proved it is ready for a black president.”



and even Venezuala:



“Pull up a seat, we’re celebrating tonight,” said Mr. Cisneros, 37, opening a bottle of Blender’s Pride whiskey. He poured the spirit into plastic cups, mixed in some orange juice, and declared to his guests, “The United States is choosing a black man as its president. Maybe we can share a bit in this happiness.”



The list goes on to continue places like Indoensia, Iraq, Germany, the little town of Obama, Japan, and some of my personal observations from Sudan.



The world has been hit and hit HARD by this wave of Obamania. But, like with every extreme flush of sentiment, or, in this case, hysteria, there's the after-affect, the hangover, the morning sickness, the groggyness, the slap of reality.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not pessimistic nor am I trying to subdue the overwhelming sense of excitment and pride taking over so many communities. I just want to reflect on something.

Obama being elected is great news, its exhilirating. The first African American president in U.S. history, the change from the 8 years of disaster before him, the change all together. There's a lot of positive aspects one can look at.

However, I'm worried.

Let's look at this a little closer: The hype has intensified to levels I did not know existed. There is this united force of accomplishment across the board. People are excited. But are expectations being set a little too high? The reactions compiled by the NY Times show an array of responses, all hopeful. Mr. Obama has his work cut out for him. The level of expectations have been set to another level, one that may be a little unrealstic. Some are calling him the messiah, expecting him to deliver us from the catastrophes of this world. Others referring to him as the "answer to all" - the Palestinan/Israeli conflict, the Iraq war, the economy, reparing the damaged image of America across the world. He is in fact walking into a very challenging situation - 2 wars and a downspiraling economy, not a very attractive pair. Let's just hope the mania doesn't over cloud people's good judgement and force them to believe that the young senator from Chicago is a miracle-worker.




So, I guess in the meantime, I'm going to have to entertain myself with the 1000+ Facebook status' proclaiming their love for Obama until the Obamania begins to phase out and it's back to the regular "So-and-so is studying" and "so-and-so hates you for breakin up with me"

The reason I started to transcribe the flow

November 5th, 6:10a.m.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

My alarm was ringing incessantly in my ear. I got up in a shock wave of what seemed to be a mix of excitement, anticipation, uncertainty, all wrapped up with the distinct sense of exhaustion. Never was much of a morning person. But on this morning, my grumpiness did not have the opportunity to stand center stage. I, along with the rest of the world, was going to discover who was the elected president of the United States of America for 2009.
I sat in my living room, AC set on high blast, droning on and on in the background. The hot Saudi sun was already up, sizzling away for the country to take in. I sat alone that morning, and switched on to the extensive live coverage of the election on CNN international. The announcement came between 7:45 and 8a.m. Barack Obama is the President Elect for the United States of America. I jumped up in sheer delight. I even let out a "yes!" throughout the quietness of my home. It was a strange feeling. I'm not American, I wasn't born there, I didn't spend a lot of my life there, I don't even know the 50 states by heart. But I was quite proud of the Americans. Then the commentary started. Not the panel of experts that sit around and discuss and provide their powerful insight and engage in stimulating conversations. The running commentary that goes through my head. I had so much to say, so much to discuss, so much to reflect on. I would rely on the late hours of the night, midnight my time, so 4pm D.C. time, when my friends would sign in online and we could chat endlessly about this and that. I even found myself picking conversations at work with people who did not necessarily care about the results. Nor did they understand why I was so amped by something that did not even involve me. I needed to express myself, to share, to listen and be heard.

Then I decided to take this flow of ideas that this election hype had fueled, and begin to blog.