What interests youth?
Glenice Raj
Recently I was asked this question" What interests youth of today?" and without a momentary hesitation I replied" Politics". Even the most non political individual cannot help but be drawn into the historic precipice America is teetering on and the notion to be part of that moment is bigger than the self.
One theme that resonates throughout history is, before change comes struggle. The past few years has not been America's shining moment, yes she shone oh so brilliantly as she rose from the ashes of September 11th a national moment of pride in the land and the people, we call home. But since the aftermath, she has faced quite a few challenges which have led to this moment and this election. According to some pundits, we have quietly slipped into recession and we have a long haul ahead of us, yet according to others, we are not there yet but definitely heading headlong into the chasm. The daily hike in gas prices makes one give serious consideration to the pleasures of walking and as the death bell tolls for our soldiers and sons of the Iraqi soil, one worries, that the worst may yet happen- apathy.
This Presidential race offers us hope, and the belief, united we can make a difference and be the change we want to see in the world to paraphrase. Watching the Pennsylvania democratic debates I could finally understand why polls show Obama was favored by the youth. Right from the onset it became quite clear, both Clinton and Obama had similar platforms, their ideas were the same, but the paths they wanted to pursue to reach that goal differed. So what was the clinching point?. This preference was consistent in all echelons regardless of gender or race. The younger generation was behind Obama. The reason for their choice?
According to Ravinder Bhalla, a lawyer in New Jersey, "Obama is more qualified and capable in unifying the country across party lines and end bipartisan bickering". When asked if Obama can win against Mc Cain, his answer was resolute " yes, He is smart, capable and well able to bridge the biases … The same things were said when Kennedy was running for President, But he overcame the odds to become a Catholic President in the White House" at this point, his quite voluble eleven month old daughter refused to be left out of the conversation and quite clearly evinced her sentiments which led to her doting father acknowledge lovingly" Yes, she is ready for political change!".
Moving to the other end of the spectrum, I asked Valarie Kaur, filmmaker, what made her choose Obama over Clinton? The simple fact, she can relate to him. Her friend and co Film maker of the documentary "Divided we fall" share this unified sentiment reflected in myriad faces. "I see myself in him, I am Barack Obama"
Obama is able to transcend the spaces that separate us from each other through, race, religion, preference, social standing and reach out and touch the core of humanity. I began this odyssey placing my full support to Clinton, for I believed her to be the consummate political animal able to tread the waters at Washington, but the further I delved into the Obama phenomenon, I realized I was no longer satisfied with "Statis Quo". Ironically "the negative publicity" of Obama's associations with people from different political and ideological beliefs made me realize, his suitability for running this country made up of multifaceted people. For we are not one-dimensional, but the very foundation this land was built on the principles of mutual respect and tolerance for each other's differences which springs forth buds of freedom.
In the words of the wise
"To everything there is a season and a time to every
purpose under heaven:
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love
And a time to Hate
A time of war
And a time for peace
He hath made everything beautiful in His time"
The time has come for change but the real question is "Is America ready for that hange"?
- By: Glenice Raj
