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Obama
ignites political chime among immigrants in the US
Chicago, IL – When Illinois State Senator Barack Obama announced
his bid to run for US senate early last year, there very few immigrants
who knew him or this heritage.
Over this past year, however, Obama’s name has risen to become
the most known name in Illinois and among immigrants across the United
States. Obama was born into a multiracial family of a Kenyan father
and an American mother.
The paternal heritage of Obama is what has caught the eye of thousands
of Africans across the United States. On Monday, January 18, the East
African Standard, one of Kenya’s two major daily headlined Obama’s
political bid and this has stirred national pride for Obama among
Kenyans of all walks.
As part of its expanded coverage, Kenyan Television Network (KTN),
a sister company of East African Standard made a surprise visit to
Obama’s ancestral village in Kenya’s western province
of Nyanza. Obama’s grandmother was shocked to learn about his
grandson’s ensuing adventures which in her words, “reflect
the brilliance of my late son.”
The Kenyan community in Chicago, under the auspices of its locally
registered organizations, has rolled out rigorous fundraising efforts
geared toward the support of Obama’s bid. Consequently, immigrants
especially from other African countries such Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana,
Senegal, Liberia, have all joined the Obama bandwagon.
On February 28, a committee that has named itself – Africans
Committed to Elect Obama (Ace Obama) is planning to host a huge rally
downtown Chicago with an aim of raising a minimum of $5,000 for the
campaign.
Elsewhere, Kenyans in New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Atlanta, Texas
and Canada are being encouraged to remit contributions online through
Obama’s website (obamaforillinois.com). Over the week,
the Obama campaign office has reported a stream of e-mails from newly
found enthusiasts of Obama in Kenya and across the globe.
Obama, who is polled to be among the top two, is among six candidates
running to win nominate in March 16 primaries to represent the Democratic
party against whomever is nominated from the Republic party in the
November 4 elections which also elect the next US president.
Obama announced his candidature came about moments after Republican
Senator Peter Fitzgerald announced that he was not going to run for
re-election. Fitzgerald, who spent a personal fortune of $15
million to win the election against Carol Mosley Braun, has lost the
will of fellow Republicans based on his style of politics and the
defense of several unpopular stalled bills such as the O’Hare
expansion project.
So what would Obama’s election translate to Kenya and immigrants
in this North America nation? According to Mukila Maitha, president
of United Kenyans of Chicago, based on his Kenyan descent, “Obama
has already expressed willingness to assist the Kenyan community and
organizations in dealing with issues ranging from racial profiling
of African Americans including immigrants of African descent, access
of educational opportunities in American institutions of higher learning,
access to jobs and opportunity, health insurance among others.”
The election of Obama has the potential of getting someone into the
powerful US Senate who is conversant with the issues facing Africans
in the US and at home. Obama has worked on issues which touch many
Africans living in the United States in one way or another i.e. access
to jobs and opportunity, health insurance, the fight against racial
profiling etc.
Obama’s support of initiatives combating local HIV/AIDS will
be of interest to African governments as they battle against this
scourge. Obama’s success will translate into important provisions
for African governments, including Kenya, the benefit of having another
Senator who is sympathetic to their cause and is willing to work on
their issues.
In the United States, Obama paves an excellent avenue through which
African communities can best articulate their views and needs before
the political establishments and the federal government of the United
States. This brings to mind the unpopular US Patriot Act which President
George, the past State of the Union, wishes the US Congress to react
after it expires this coming year.
Obama is a graduate of Columbia University, New York and holds a law
degree from Harvard Law School, Massachusetts. Presently, Obama is
still powerful and important to Illinois. For the last seven years,
Obama has been representing the 13th District as a State Senator in
the Illinois assembly. Consequently, Obama teaches constitutional
law at University of Chicago.
With the goodwill Obama brings, let us not spare an iota of energy
to support this African son. With or without, Obama’s gallant
move to run for this seat has elevated our morale that nothing is
impossible. With or without a multiracial connection, Obama presents
integrity for hard working Americans and Africans alike.
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About the Writer - Symon Ogeto works at the Office of International
Student Affairs, Columbia College Chicago. |
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Related
Infor and Links
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| Poor
turnout for Chicago Kenyans |
| Letters
to Obama |
| Africans
Committed to Elect Obama Weekly Meeting |
| Saturday,
Feb 28 Africans Rally for Obama |
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