A Caribbean Island's Reaction to New US President Obama
November 5, 2008 | The Valley, Anguilla | Vetting explained
Usually, a trip from Philadelphia to tiny Anguilla, BWI would take about 8 hours max. Due to overlays, mechanical problems and cancelled flights, my 5 year old
twins and I have been busy traveling for the past 40 hours, not remotely concerned with the US Presidential elections.
However, no less than 10 minutes after walking into our front door, a group of honking cars drive by our house, which could only mean ONE thing.....
Living on a tiny Caribbean island as a Swiss native, with a 16 year history of living in the US prior to moving here, has been a unique experience, providing for a unique perspective of this years US Presidential elections.
As a racial minority on this island, I can say without the shadow of a
doubt that race is NOT what this election has been about because
frankly, it's just not an issue here in Anguilla.
Yes, Anguilla is 90% black and yes, the US economy affects Anguilla in terms of imported goods as well as tourism, but to me, that does not explain why a HUGE number of Anguillians have been wearing Obama shirts, bumper stickers and bringing up the subject in conversations as there jus isn't any vested interest.
So somehow, this Illinois Senator named Barack Obama has captured the attention of people all over the World and shared words and messages that resonate with humans regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual preference.
When that group of honking cars was driving by my house in gorgeous Anguilla just a few hours ago, I knew that Barack Obama was going to be the new President of the United States of America without ever turning on the television.
"Yes, we can!"
- Tags:
- election08,
- prep,
- anguilla,
- caribbean,
- obama
- Posted in Assignment:
- Obama makes history
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