Thoughts On Obama’s Victory
November 5, 2008 – 1:47 pm | by Daryl TayTalking to a lot of people here in Canada, not many can understand the complete indifference we tend to have in Singapore towards politics. I’m one of those indifferent people, but ironically, not when it came to this year’s US presidential election.
Tonight, walking home from a movie, I heard loud cheering from houses along the streets. I peered in and saw the elections on TV, Obama posters on the windows, and knew he won. I made a quick detour to the business school here in Queen’s, and the student lounge was packed with people watching President Obama giving his victory speech. I heard from a friend that earlier in class, laptops all around her were monitoring the presidential ticker counter.
And all this happening in Canada, for a president not even theirs, in a demographic not usually associated with politics.
Seth Godin would say we’ve joined President Obama’s “tribe”, for whatever reason it may be. I will be the first to admit I don’t know a thing about his policies, but I identify with him because he’s involved in politics during a world of change, and is embracing that change. Just look at his efforts in social media.
I don’t think I know any people my age who aren’t part of his tribe during this election. He spoke to us where we were, online. Whether it’s race, support for his policies, embracing the American dream or any other reason, we’ve embraced this change and I truly believe the world is much better off for it.
Yes, we can.
Tags: canada, president barack obama, queen's university, US presidential election
6 Responses to “Thoughts On Obama’s Victory”
By tinana on Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
Obama’s name kept coming up in my friend’s facebook status updates, when most of us don’t remember the names of the MPs in Singapore.
By Oldskoolmak on Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
hahaha, agreed! The whole world is cheering for a change where we don’t know what’s gonna happen.
Just did a post on my thoughts of the elections too! Reputation can be such a powerful thing….
By Daryl Tay on Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
I have to say I am in the exact same position! I don’t think I could name 5 ministers at all.
By Jo on Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
You sum up social media perfectly. People are disinterested in politics if they are unable to affect politics.
It will be interesting to see home many people use http://www.change.gov now Obama is in implementation mode. I had a quick look and what it lacks is a discussion page, I think.
By Daryl Tay on Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
@Jo: That totally describes me. Thanks for sharing that link! Just took a quick look and like what I see too!