Discussion: Obama not to be seen like this?

  1. Posted on Tuesday 26 February 2008 - 15:01
    Redactie AfrikaNieuws
    Image of Redactie AfrikaNieuws
    Peter Vlam - AfricaNews
    A picture of presidential candidate Barack Obama in an African Muslim dress has sparked fierce debate in the United States, as it might be seen as a sign that Obama is too African or even Muslim. AfricaNews invites to give your opinion about this controversy.
    obama_garb.jpg
    The photograph shows the Illinois senator outfitted as a Somali elder during his 2006 visit to north-eastern Kenya, part of a five-country tour of Africa. It appeared at the top of Monday’s Drudge Report, and was said to have been provided by Clinton staffers over the weekend.

    Now both campaigns are suggesting that the other should feel some sort of shame over the flap. According to Obama aides, the Clinton campaign is sinking to “shameful fear-mongering.” Clinton’s campaign chief retorted that she can’t figure out why Obama would be “ashamed” of having the photo out in the public.

    Obama’s campaign suggested the purpose of the photo release was to invoke reminders of persistent rumours that Obama is secretly Muslim, and by extension, anti-American.

    This controversy brings back to the surface one major issue worth discussing:

    Should Obama be proud of his African background? If yes why then should his campaign team worry about the publication of the pictures? What if he had visited India and worn local clothes? Some would see it as a positive argument for Obama as he does not need to evidence that he cares for the poor to the extent of wearing their clothes.

    Please send in your reaction by reacting to this article.


    See previous discussions

Reactions

  1. Posted on Tuesday 26 February 2008 15:53
    John M
    Image of John M
    There is no doubt that Hilary Clinton and her team are now shooting their last bullets in the campaign for presidency. They lost by using conventional ways and they have opted for non-conventional ones, including exhuming ‘private’ pictures that could influence the views of Americans on Barack Obama.

    In my view, Obama could turn the pictures in his advantage and his communications advisors should work on that. He has never denied having Kenya blood. He is even proud of it. Wearing a Muslim turban only 5 years after 11 September is not perhaps the best inspiration an American statesman with presidential ambition should have. But so what?

    Obama’s team would use this picture to reassure American citizens that he is someone with a great understanding of religious problems in the world. The picture should be added to his argument that he voted against the war in Iraq, a war that contributed to the aggravation of the religious malaise.

    What if Obama should come out with pictures about Bill Clinton’s infidelity? Is Hilary’s couple a good example for American couples? What is the debate starts discussing about issues like: how can we trust a woman who can’t satisfy her husband to the extend of pushing him to extra-marital relations?

    This is to say that shifting from politics to private life would rather harm Hilary than her challenger.
    Et in terra pax hominubus...
  2. Posted on Thursday 28 February 2008 02:26
    Harold
    Image of Harold
    Obama was not dressed like the Ayatolla. There is also overemphasis on the fact that it was Somali dress. Obama was not actually in Somalia, where America and the local folks eat with the longest spoons possible. It would seem as those who posted the picture would like to appeal to the good old boy, flag-waving George-supporters who don't particulary like Arabs, those associated with Islam and non-caucasians, in general. There are a lot of them in America and Obama should have known that this would be fodder for their fires. It's a good thing that Obama makes nothing of this fashion faux pas but perhaps Obama should have gone in for the Masai robes instead...
    Harold A. Williams
  3. Posted on Monday 03 March 2008 14:19
    AfricaNews editor
    Image of AfricaNews editor
    By Yinka Olugbade - Obama should not be deterred by all these design been evinced by the Clinton camp to dent his image and rubbish his very good purpose to bring about a change in America. All these designs are obvious to the rest of the world. The viewer from African, and the entire observers of America's 2008 election all the world over are not blind to all the feminine tantrums been cooked up by Hillary to spark a rash of hatred for the man Obama. Let me say it and definitively, it will not work.


    When does it become a crime for a man to be crucified for wearing traditional attire? Haven't this act been a part of the State's way of honoring visiting diplomats or personality? Even an ordinary tourist would delight and indulge themselves in wearing any traditional costume while visiting a place.


    This vindictive 'if I can get it, I'll waste it' politics been place by Hillary would boomerang and she is going to be the victim. I am not supporting Obama because he is black. No, been black don't make you a good statesman or does it? And I doubt if those delegates on the side on Obama are supporting him because he is 'good speaker' as Hillary thinks that the only things Obama is got.


    The promise of a change far outweigh the whole of political promise been offered by Hillary. America is in need of a change and that's why Obama is the rallying point because he would deliver. Or has Mrs. Clinton forgotten that it is this need for a change that brought the Whitehouse for Mr. Clinton. So, the need for a change is an idea whose time is come and cannot be stopped.


    If we discredit Obama for wearing Muslim attire – which does not in any way symbolizes a religious affinity but that of cultural belongingness, then America would only be sending signal to the world how racial it is. The development is this election 2008 would be the acid test to America's claim of an equal opportunity polity. A society which lay claim to upholding the right of it citizen can not now turn back to backstab the same to appease a racial demand.


    In countries that previous American president has visited, haven't they been honored to wear one of this attire? Even, Mr. Clinton was given a Nigerian name, which he doesn't use now with the same enthusiasm that he received it. Obama's background is not in doubt neither is the truth about his belief. And is it not by the very process put in place by the America society that Obama has risen to the very high estate as to compete for a Senatorial office and now for the highest office in the land - the office of the President of United States of America.


    If the mere wearing of his highly esteem African root attire is now been talk about by Mrs. Clinton's camp, it show how racist she is and how blind her intention to have a unified Democratic party at the end of the primaries. Mrs. Hillary and her camp should be careful to spark a rash of hatred that would tarnish her very good personality as displayed during Mr. Clinton's ordeal in the Whitehouse.


    Obama's rootedness is an asset to his candidacy. It shows he is not one of those politicians who'll say and will not do. America needs a proactive statesman at this point in world history. For American society, the years ahead must not be colored with any racial intention if it must remain an equal opportunity polity it claims. A candidate that publicly criticizes another candidate for wearing simple traditional attire does not mean well for the rest of the world. For all I care, Obama could have worn the Zulu attire, or one of those Bushmen strip-on from the Kenyans.
  4. Posted on Monday 03 March 2008 14:29
    AfricaNews editor
    Image of AfricaNews editor
    By Cruz Nandi - Obama like any other citizen of the united states of America has a right to associate with various cultures,those from the opposite camp cricising these photos should understand among many Americans some are muslim, and Obama will be there president as well.

    Obama 's campaign team did react because indeed they were expected to. first to quench the curiosity of majority of americans who will find it hard to understand and secondly to show the Clinton team who allegged pulled the stunt that there smearing wasn't the kind of politics Americans want and indeed the world.

    Obama shouldn't be Afraid of his past because that 's what made him who he his.The only reminder should be, he will not tilt justice to favour either side of the board. Terrorism should be fought relentlessly as well as human rights respected by both Americans and the Arab world.