O que muda com Obama - visto da África do Sul

Uma jovem esperança das RI sul-africanas escreveu o seguinte, no jornal The Times local:

But what does his victory mean for America and world?A lot! It will change the course of American and world politics for generations. America and the world will never be the same. A new era of post-racial and post-tribal politics has been unleashed by Obamania. This has positive lessons for the world.It shows that it is possible for an alternative inclusive political project that transcends racial and ethnic boundaries to be crafted.It is significant that Obama conspicuously never used race as a factor in his bid for the Democratic nomination.It shows how comfortable he is in his black skin. It is also significant that the American people viewed him as candidate for the Democratic nomination rather than an Africa-American candidate.
This has huge lessons for the world, especially in South Africa where conversations and senior appointments in the private sector are still cast in a racial mould.We need to reach a high level of civilization where people are viewed and treated as people rather than as races, tribes, genders or gay and lesbian. It shows that the American people are responding positively to Obama’s rallying call to them to “stand for change”. More importantly, it shows that we are entering a new era of post-racial and post-tribal politics in which voters and campaigners alike do not use race as a platform or basis for political engagement or voting decisions. This is good. It’s long overdue in the US, Africa and elsewhere in the world.In the brave new complex world of the twenty first century, voters should prefer leaders with a bold and new approach and vision to old and new problems and challenges.
Obama’s vision for America and his ability to eloquently articulate it is what makes him appealing.Obama’s victory provides a golden opportunity for Washington to re-establish credibility and legitimacy in global affairs.
The Republicans plunged America into an historic crisis of legitimacy on the global stage with their arrogant and ill-conceived neo-conservative notions of regime change, preemption, axis of evil and hostility towards the United Nations as a platform for the execution of a multilateral approach to solving global problems.
The world has been taken by storm by Obama’s increasingly unassailable march to the White House. His broad-based support would make him a more formidable and compelling Presidential candidate against John McCain who is a front runner for the Republican nomination.Indeed some Republicans prefer him to McCain who is not trusted by certain sections of his own party. Obama’s youthfulness (at age 46) gives him an edge over McCain who is 71 years old. McCain is also tarnished by his support of the Iraqi war and his continuing illusion and assertion that the surge is working in Iraq.
Most ordinary Americans whose loved ones have lost lives and limbs in Iraq want an end to the war. Obama has promised to deliver on that. McCain is against diplomatic engagement with America’s enemies such as Iran, North Korea and Syria.Obama cites examples of effective diplomatic engagements by past presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and others to argue a compelling case to talk to America’s enemies. The American people and the world like that. It seems to me that what America and the world saw this past week is the beginning of history in the making with very positive implications for America and the world at large. The world needs a breed of leadership imbued with a commitment to unite their people and the world around progressive and inclusive norms and values that divide rather unite people.

*Kuseni Dlamini is a member of the National Council of the South Africa Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.