On 5 November 2008 I was one of countless teenagers who sat glued to the TV set as Barack Obama was elected as the first Black president of the United States of America. People around the world were united for one reason, and that was to commemorate what was indeed a momentous victory and to witness history being made.
Frankly speaking, the name ‘Obama’ didn’t ring a bell to me even a year prior to that election, but during the course of events I developed a profound appreciation of the Illinois senator, not just as a potential world leader but as a man who was bound to make history.
From the initial stages of his political journey, President Obama had always shared the limelight with his family – his wife Michelle and two charming daughters Malia and Sasha. It has to be said that there is a sheer sense of warmth and delight in watching this family express themselves the way ordinary families would, and openly too!
I must admit I often chuckle at details revealed by the President’s youngest daughter, Sasha, about silly things her father would do. It puts a smile on my face. Perhaps this is a unique quality that separates him from the rest, and maybe one that warms him to today’s youth.
Modern-day president
To get a clearer idea of the views of Irish teens concerning Obama’s politics and what they think about the man himself, I conducted interviews in my school. To my surprise none of the selected students were hesitant in voicing their opinions.
When I asked if they could make any request to the president, the most common response was quite simply “world peace”. One student, a fellow classmate, explained that she was sick and tired of turning on the news and being greeted with dead bodies, bloodshed and gunshots. “It’s not very pleasant,” she reported.
Another student expressed that all she would ask for is a friendlier society. In her own words: “I would just like a community free of bullying and discrimination.”
My interviews weren’t all political and social talk. I was also very interested in finding out what people my age thought about Obama on personal grounds.
The immediate reaction to this was one of fascination. Before me were lit-up faces of bright youths who seemed to know all about Obama’s love of basketball and his ability to tweet!
They pointed out that we have in the president a man who lives in the modern world and is well embraced with the latest technology. He is truly the embodiment of a modern-day president.
High expectations
Overall, it seems teens in Ireland have quite a high level of expectation for President Obama. We acknowledge that it takes a distinct and uniquely poised character to take on a job that comes with a truckload of demands and immense pressure. The notion that the world can change abruptly is unrealistic, but if we take one step at a time, we will see significant change.
So far we see in Obama a devoted family man, one who is ready to serve his people, an attentive listener, and most of all a man with a credible disposition – and we ask for nothing more than that he retains these qualities.
I don’t deny that some of the president’s decisions to date have been controversial or in some cases have even generated dispute between citizens, but that is the game of politics. You can never please everyone!
Chiadika Uzor is a student of St Dominic’s College in Cabra.
