Re: Audacity, Dream, Nightmare

(Published Saturday, 29 November 2008)

For three weeks before last (Beijing), this column discussed the Obama Phenomenon in the United States; a phenomenon which eventually became the reality many are so shocked and mesmerised to digest. Our first discourse four weeks ago was on the Audacity of Malcolm X (Malik Shabazz) in the early to mid 1960s and that of Barack Obama in the late 2000s to challenge the American Establishment and turn history on its head. This Audacity of Hope (itself a title of a book by Obama), has now given us an African-American as President-Elect of the United States. Unbelievable. Unfathomable. Impossible. But true. Our second discourse three weeks ago traced the Dreams of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the struggle to end slavery, racism and discrimination in the American nation: President Abraham Lincoln, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King. As discussed here, it is important to always remember that all these three ‘Freedom Fighters’ were assassinated, at their various times, for the same struggle. No wonder then that many of Obama’s supporters are still apprehensive: could he, would he reach January 20, 2009 (alive, that is) to be inaugurated as President of the United States of America? And could he, would he, survive long after that? Optimists say 2008 is not the 1960s. What can one do, then, but hope and dream, much like Obama dreamt in his book, Dreams from My Father. Our third discourse two weeks ago was cautionary, lest that collective Dream turn out to be a Nightmare. Noting the first few appointments Obama made, especially that of Rahm Emmanuel, a dyed-in-the-wool Zionist as Chief of Staff (now followed by an array of leading Jews, albeit understandably, as Obama’s Economic Dream Team), this column tried to stave off the Audacity of Expectations that many global citizens (Blacks, Africans, Muslims, others) have had that perhaps, perchance, maybe, likely Obama is the awaited problem-solver one-fell-swooper past American presidents have failed to be. Justifiably, many readers felt shortchanged by the column’s changing fortunes over the three weeks of the Obama Real Reality Show: how could the column call on Americans to rise and give the world a change (as epitomised by Obama); then trace the Dreams of the great people who paid the supreme sacrifice to pave the way for Obama; and then come round to scare a still-mesmerised audience with a nightmare. This writer is still mesmerised too, it must be admitted, but not by the wonder of the American System, but by the Hand of God in all this. So while the writer is cautious and apprehensive like many others, he is hopeful still that the Wonderful Hand of God would steer this audacious ship of expectations to berth in calm waters. But let us hear what others, many still in thrall, feel about this Audacity, this Dream, and this feared Nightmare. Bala Abdullahi: The analytical perspective in your column was something I had taken for granted. It not only opened my eyes and widened my horizon, it has more importantly strengthened my faith. May Allah bless you. OL Iduh: What a striking coincidence! Your column’s opening paragraph is almost exactly the same as that of Dele Momodu of Saturday ThisDay. Same day, same topic, same first paragraph! SG Zakari: Their dream was beautiful. And it has come to be true. With inspirational writings like these, and with good leadership and disciplined followership, we shall get to our dream. Keep writing! NT Ismail: I have a dream! To be a star some day. One of the world’s greatest! Kawu Bala: Your article has captured the essence of Malcolm X’s struggle in racist America. It is because of what he and others did that the likes of Obama have become voices to be reckoned with. At times, those that will reap the benefit of popular effort would be the generations unborn. The earlier those who mean well for the Ummah realise this, the better. God knows best! Ibrahim Idris Bello: Another masterpiece this weekend. Hope they will reason with the world. Abdulmalik Sani: Thank you for another educating and enlightening piece. Ahmed Rasheed Makarfi: I became, like many others, a die-hard pro-Obama via your column. But this recent one has really opened my eyes and raised my concerns. Is there a dream anymore? Are we really sure Obama is not a stooge of the Zionists? Baba Abba Misau: Thanks for this. With Rahm Emmanuel, Dennis Ross and Madeleine Albright close to him, Obama may turn out to be the most pro-Israeli President ever. But “Wa makaru…” (“They plot, and Allah plots, and Allah is the Best of plotters.”) Abba Yusuf: Yes, we shouldn’t rush in celebrating Obama. Let us wait and see. The Hausa say “Ba a yabon dan kuturu…” Danlami Wushishi: God gives hope to those who dream. He does miracles to those who believe. He never lets down those who trust. God bless you! Buhari Gabari: Brother, I agree with you that African-Americans may at ultimately be disappointed by Obama. Hope he will always bear in mind the interest of Africans and Blacks generally. Isma’il Abdu Tudun Kaya: Thank you very much for your service to humanity. I read these articles and I am more educated. Alhamdu lillah. KS Hanga: May Allah prolong your life so you can continue to be useful to the people. Abubakar Kassim: I quite agree with you that war has been globally condemned as a means of settling scores between the powerful nations and weak ones. So if America continues to overpower and crush smaller countries like Iraq or Afganistan, they will continue to destroy their economy with monetary and moral costs for each missile thrown. The prayer of the oppressed shall not encounter obstacle on its way to Almighty Allah. Counselling and admonition remain the best ways to settle disputes. Once more thanks for your educative, stimulating and morale-boosting weekly dossier. Busari Rafiu: Thank you very much. An exceptionally brilliant article. More grease to your elbow. ZA Yazid: I have been looking forward to something like this. People have their minds focused on one side of the issue when there are other things to consider. No wonder a lot of things take us by surprise! Tonight I will sleep assured, knowing that doubt has been created in the minds of our policy makers and there is hope that they will reposition their thoughts and create strategies that will enable us to cope with the worst. Abdurrahman Abdullahi Dutsin Ma: Your piece of this week has a very interesting end. I am a teacher. If I were a resident of Abuja, I would keep going to the Federal Ministry of Education asking for the former Minister. It will surely interest me hearing he is no more there! Thanks. Aminu Muhammad: Obama, who has criticised the use of torture, is being urged by some constitutional scholars and human rights groups to investigate possible war crimes by the Bush administration. Two Obama advisers have anonymously told the Associated Press there is little chance if any that the next president’s Justice Department will go after anyone involved in authorising or carrying out interrogations that provoked worldwide outrage. A vital tip for the future. Finally, someone sent this recently: “By the early 1960s, Mwai Kibaki and John Michuki were in the Kenyan government and, over in the United States, John F. Kennedy was President. Barack Obama was then a one-year old little boy. About 45 years later, Kibaki and Michuki are still in the Kenyan government and, over in the US, Obama, that one-year old boy, has become President-Elect. In those forty five years, the US has seen Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush Senior, Clinton and Bush Junior. Over in Kenya, the same guys in their 70s and 80s are still trying to tell Kenyans (and other Africans) that they are the super-indispensables. Something is seriously wrong somewhere.”