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"