I'm incredibly grateful to all the Martinican students who answered the question, "What does it mean to be Martinican?" I think just reading a few of your posts gave me a deeper appreciation for the life and culture of this irrefutably beautiful island.
In attempt to have some grounding in our discussion as to what it might be like to be American I'd like you to read the prologue to The Audacity of Hope: http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/excerpts/2008-01-15-The-Audacity-of-Hope_N.htm
Oceane was right when she said that the Fort Hood article was too long. The entire book by Obama is, in my opinion, interesting and worth reading. For class, however, I am only asking you to read paragraphs 18-25 of this excerpt, from "But whether I was meeting with..." to the end of the paragraph that begins, "My argument, however,..."
To guide your reading you might consider these two questions: What are the common themes that Obama finds in most Americans regardless of their age, ethnicity, political party or religion? Does his view match with what you see and read in the media? You may answer those questions in this blog or you may continue with the previous blog questions on carbon tax and Martinican identity. Remember some of you are behind in your blogging and need to do two posts.
Cindy has volunteered to present Obama's ideas outlined here. If you'd like to present another aspect of Obama's book or another aspect of American identity (it is a crucial question for all of you reading Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography!) please let me know.
I know I'm a little late in posting and I deeply apologize if I've caused any of you inconvenience. Sorry!
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Derek
ReplyDeleteIn Barack Obama’s Audacity of Hope, he sees the common Americans as good and gracious people that pretty much wants what he or she deserves, and good for the rest of the country. However, he believes that the government at times is too polarized and divided by their bipartisanship to truly help the common man. He has personally seen the failures of the state and local legislation.
I do believe that the common man does just want well for his community. Shelter, food, and clothes are something that everyone deserves, and most Americans are aware of that. However, I believe that the media tries to steer away from this, and show the few Americans that wish harm. Sure, no one is perfect, but I don’t know many who can be called “bad” people. I am sure that Obama would agree with me on this subject. The citizens can be considered simple, but the system is sometimes overly complicated.
The common man wants, as Mr. Obama says, to be safe. He wants to not have to worry about war, or losing money over health care, or unsatisfactory education. Basically he wants, like Derek said, what every man should deserve. But politics have never been about the common man, not really. Politics is about the wishes of one party or the other, whether they reflect the wishes of the common man or not. Mr. Obama realizes this through the good amount of listening he did while campaigning, whereas other candidates would spend more time talking. Personally, I prefer a candidate who does the former.
ReplyDeleteObama sees all Americans as people who vie for the same good things out of their country's government. He feels as though most people want basic things such as good education for themselves and their children and an overall better quality of life.
ReplyDeleteI basically share that view because I feel that it wrong to say that anyone does not want the best for themselves or their country. However, the problem which I find, as well as Obama, in most people is that those who find themselves in political power have the ability to spin words and make others follow their own beliefs. For the most part people blindly follow without looking into things thoroughly themselves.
Its sad but true if we as a nation don't wise up it might actually become worse than it already is.
Obama finds that most Americans regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or class can agree on many things. He finds that all of these Americans believe that anyone who is willing to work should get a job that pays enough for a decent living, that everyone deserves safety from those who wish to do us harm, and that everyone's child should be able to get a good education and that every child should be able to go to college regardless of cost. I agree with Obama that most Americans do want whats best for their country and also for themselves and their family. However, I regretfully say that even though many people have good intentions, the corruption caused by political power and money is so strong that it gets in the way of the common good. The media often does not help either because I find that people believe whatever the media, no matter how biased, says. Although I do agree with Obama that many Americans do desire common good, I also think that the corruption of political power and money often prevents that from begin accomplished.
ReplyDeleteThe common grounds on which Obama believes Americans can relate are the things that the government expects from them, and the things that they expect from the government. Former President John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” This statement is very relevant to the relationships between all Americans, regardless of race, creed, economic status, or gender, and the government. All Americans can expect that the government will do things to help their children get a good education, promote financial stability in case of health problem, maintain safety from crime and terrorism, and allow them to live in a clean environment that they can pass down to their children. It is also agreed that in return for all provisions from the government, Americans are expected to work, to pay taxes until they become old and eventually retire.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when this excerpt was written, this mutual relationship between Americans and the government was extremely one sided. As Americans toiled and struggled to chase after the American dream, the government became corrupt. Special interests barged into politics and the government was no longer “for the people.” Rather, it was for anyone who could afford to pay government officials to make policies in their favor. As a result, people lost faith in and became less willing to participate in government; our government was no longer a true democracy. In short, the best way to explain the attitude of Americans during the publication of The Audacity of Hope is with this Jean Jacques Rousseau quote: "As soon as any man says of the affairs of state, What does it matter to me?, the state may be given up as lost."
Fortunately, times have changed. Americans, being fundamentally good people, did not allow for such a government to continue existing. They advocated CHANGE. It all started with the shift in Congress power from Republicans to Democrats in 2006. Two years later, a new president was elected. The cynical view expressed back then is no longer prevalent in today’s American society. The attitude is much more optimistic. Additionally, changes in government were made. The government finally started to do things that were expected for it. For example, the monumental Health Care Bill was recently passed. I believe that this progress does not stop in health care reform; greater strides will be made and one day, the relationship between government and citizen will finally be balanced.
For the purposes of this post, let's look at the issues that Americans have and imagine them as an image with the most pressing issues - the ones that most Americans agree upon - in the middle and those with increasingly less support at the edges.
ReplyDeleteSo in the middle lie the ideas that
"...anybody willing to work should be able to find a job that paid a living wage.",
“…every child should have a genuinely good education…and that those same children should be able to go to college even if their parents weren't rich.”, and safety -
“They wanted to be safe, from criminals and from terrorists; they wanted clean air, clean water, and time with their kids. And when they got old, they wanted to be able to retire with some dignity and respect.”
With how our politics are going, we are not focusing on these issues and instead are looking at the obscure edges where small groups of idealists fight to focus the vision of our country. We must realign where we look and focus at the center - we should address the issues that we agree upon, not the ones that we endlessly debate over. With such volatile ideas it would be dangerous to have any true commitments at the edge of our interests. According to Obama, there isn't a need for an ideal America, but instead an America where we can live with those key issues addressed and focused upon.
“That was about it. It wasn't much. And although they understood that how they did in life depended mostly on their own efforts–although they didn't expect government to solve all their problems, and certainly didn't like seeing their tax dollars wasted–they figured that government should help.”
So let us have an America focused at the center and not at the obscure corners of our interests. Let us fight for a cause that we all agree upon, not a cause that we constantly argue over.
Amie
ReplyDeleteMs.Aucoin - pd.8
President Obama's perspective on Americans and America as a country is generally ideal. He views America as a place ripe with opportunity and great potential to change the very world. I honestly think that his ideas can be very naive at times and even possibly utopian. It's great that he's optimistic and can see America in bright lights but a lot of what he states are only ideas that are so far off from reality. He talks about race in his book and how America will be able to change and become a truly united nation. This to me, is very improbably right now but perhaps possible in the future. Steering away from the slight criticism, I do commend Obama for constantly facing the future with a bright outlook. With the risk of contradicting myself, I do feel that this is an extremely important quality in a nation's leader. I love his ambition for our nation to change and have a positive affect on the rest of the world. I just hope that he is able to live up to the many promises he made.
Rita D. said...
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
Barack Obama views all Americans regardless of their age, ethnicity, political party or religion as honest people on the inside and capable of being “a force for good than for ill in the world.” However, he shares similar views with the public on politics. There is a “lack of honesty, rigor, and common sense in our policy debates” and “that the nation's most significant challenges are being ignored.”
The media intensifies the “current political discourse” that “unnecessarily divides us” by focusing too much on insignificant topics such as connecting Obama’s name to Osama bin Laden, and reporting stories that increase racial and religious tension. It would be better if the media promoted more unity that could bind American’s hearts and minds.
In his book, The Audacity of Hope, President Obama discusses his general views of Americans. Obama has a very secular and open way of looking at race and ethnicity in Americans. He feels that Americans, regardless of race, believe in the American dream. Obama himself is a believer in the American dream and the abundance of opportunities one can find in America. Just like other Americans, he also has his doubts sometimes. He feels that at times the American dream is compromised by the partisan way in which America tends to do things.
ReplyDeleteObama feels that over the years, America has made great progress but has also leaned more towards partisan favored decisions. These party distinctions are probably more pronounced to him because he is in the politics. He is in the eye of the storm and can’t help but notice it. While Obama has had his share of discrimination and prejudice, he remains positive about it and believes that racism and discrimination will continue to decrease. He is more confident than ever that America has finally begun to set aside its racial ideas aside to come up with solutions to problems together. The media, however, seems to view this differently. The media sees race and ethnicity as the factor that separates Americans. Every time the media finds a story that even remotely resembles bias due to race or ethnicity, it fills every news channel and news paper available to Americans. Since Americans are so easily swayed by propaganda, they seem to think that racism rules the country. However, racism is starting to dissipate but the media uses the smallest stories to make America seem like a nation that runs on prejudice alone.
Obama portrays the average American as a person humble in their wants for the future, a generally level headed person. But i believe that the media is simply trying to scare us. all i hear about on the news is murders, robberies, and drunk driving accidents. this portrays Americans as trigger happy drunk thieves.
ReplyDeleteon the issue of the carbon tax i think it is a wonderful idea. the tax forces the big business to do one of two things either cut their bottom line or implement some sort of clean energy. it is like the quote "necessity is the mother of invention." also if we do could implement a tax then America might be in a better position to pressure other countries into lowering their carbon emissions at Copenhagen.
Within this excerpt, we can see that the basic wants for most Americans don't need experiments in order to find an answer. It's simply a life where they would be able to obtain a job that will sustain a comfortable living, contain a sufficient amount of personal time, safety for themselves as well as others, and good education.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that politics overlook this known idea or they use finesse to sound like they are supporting the people. And, as Eclaut said, people will follow those with power blindly. This game of follow the leader is unsafe and risky especially when the followers are blindfolded. We don't know where they'll lead us, but nowadays we do know that we haven't been lead to the best situation.
As for the media, it's a double-edged sword. It can help the people follow politics and such or expose politics' ugly face through news reports and make people lose their faith.
Janine
President Obama describes all people as good who want what they should get from this country. America is a land of opportunity and this is the reason why people came here from other countries. The people want a good, trouble free life and this is what government supposedly tries to give the people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with President Obama's opinion of people but I do not think that government is doing anything to fulfill the commitment they made. The government is so caught up in building America and making it richer that it often forgets the welfare of the common people.
Nushra P. pd2
Barack Obama book 's title is very relevant: The Audacity Of Hope, but hope for what? Hope for "A more perfect union" as he said in the speech that he delivered on 18 th March, 2008 in Philadelphia during the Democrat campaign for the presidential election. Indeed, according to president Obama in spite of their differences in terms of races , religions,or political visions it's irrefutable that Americans share a bunch of values that make they are all Americans.He also adds that most of people no matter their differences want the best for their country and for themselves which is to say economic safety, the possibility to raise their children in good conditions, have a pretty well-paid job, the opportunity to pay university to all their children( about university i have always wondered why it is so expensive in Usa? could someone answer my question please thanks!)
ReplyDeleteI Totally agree with Barack Obama's vision even if as one of you wrote it seems to be pretty utopist i think that president Obama could participate in the development of "this more perfect Union" because he is really involved and he really believes in a better future for every american children. We could think that he believes strongly in these ideas because he is himself "the perfect union" incarnated, the union between a white american mother and a black Kenyan father maybe he thinks that very different people can have common interests and achieve interesting plans together.
It' s sure that President Obama's vision is very very interesting but when you watch any American Medias or if you know the country a little you understand that it is separated into different communities, for example i'm used to watch an american music channel called BET , B for black which means that most part of the programms suggested by this channel are adressed to black people , i don't really understand that notion of community because in France it doesn't really exist people even if they are different belong to the same country thus if you are martinican and speak Creole or if you are from Corsica and speak the Corsica patois your special features make part of the huge French identity. I also have another question for you who live in NYC do you have the feeling of making part of a special community or do you think that i totally wrong?
Obama sees Americans as the most determined population in the world. They fight to get what they want, what they need, and what they deserve. He sees these qualities manifested himself as he presents himself as a proud American. Throughout his journey, he was determined to make a change-- focusing his campaign completely on this ideal. He listened to countless complaints and stories of determined Americans to reach their goals. He also heard stories, from his fellow determined Americans, about their loss of faith in the government, which in turn drove him even further towards his mantra. Change. But it couldn't be a mask of change. It had to be "Change we can believe in." And he was determined to make it happen. Although he does not specifically state his reasoning for his mantra, based on his accounts in this prologue, it is safe to assume that the roots of it were in his journies throughout the country in an effort to help his fellow determined Americans.
ReplyDelete--Sarah Aly; Period 8
c. yung pd 8
ReplyDeletePresident Obama believes that all Americans regardless of race, age, thnicity, or religon have the same themes of this "separation". There is always going to be a distinction whether it be a wealthy and poor distinction, a politically correct and politically incorrect party, or even a believer and nonbeliever distinction.
What Obama is trying ot say though is that Americans, overall, want to obtain the basic things in life. They want a good education for their kids, a job that will give them shelter and food, and even safety from those who may want to hurt us. President Obama sees the nation full of oppurtunities for us to grab but with the concerns going on in the world today, his dreams are far unlikely.
So first Odile...I know it sometimes is confusing trying to understand how such a diverse country could also still be separated but that's they way we are. BET, also know as Black entertainment television is first not just an american music channel but an regular television channel which sometimes plays musical videos. This channel was created a long time ago when there wasn't really a channel that played shows that actualy had black characters in them. The channel was created so that Black people could have a channel that related to them and over the year I guess it just stuck.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question about whether or not I feel as if I am making part of a special community, I can honestly say that although America is so diverse there is still an apartness that we have. For example, although there are so many cultures in this country, I probably would have never hung out with as much Asians as I do because I go to the school that I go to. Even though it is a special community of cultures, within the culture there are subcultures who form cliques I guess and stick together because they relate to each other more.
The common themes Obama find in most Americans is that good people that want what they deserve from the government. They all want the basic things for themselves. They want safety, education for themselves and their kids, and a job. Anyone who works should get a job that pays enough for a decent life along with cheaper education including college for their kids. Other things include protection from terrorist and criminals. However these good people can get corrupted if there is an excess of power and money in their hands.
ReplyDeleteHis views match with what we see in the media. He is striving for change and wants to make this a reality. The problem is with a society that fears change and don’t think he can make a difference right away. He wants change but change takes time and years. Perhaps it will change once propaganda is gone.
-KYH pd 8
In the Audacity of Hope, President Barack Obama is saying that yes America is a country full of people with different viewpoints, ideas, and cultures but when it really comes down to it we can all relate to each other because we want the same basis things in life. In his own words, "at the core of the American experience are a set of ideals that continue to stir our collective consciences;a common set of values that bind us together despite our differences;a running thread of hope that makes our improbable experiment in democracy work." We all know what we want and want the country needs to have. We only want the basis ideals of good education, job, and security in life, which really isn't a lot to ask for.
ReplyDeleteSYang- pd1
ReplyDeleteEveryone wants money, power, fame, etc. But most people would spend that money on security, and that power for their own protection. Someone could be the wealthiest person in the world, but be sick and die at such a young age. On top of security and welfare, i think the most important aspect that Barrack Obama emphasizes is happiness. Especially in a world where evil and pain triumphs, complete happiness is such a hard thing to obtain. When we find happiness in the smallest, most insignificant thing, it becomes the most important thing in our lives. But because society tells us otherwise, we think that we would be happier chasing after the societal values like ranking, or fame. If we take a step back and see that there's always someone less fortunate than us, we find that the things we have are things we take for granted.
Based on each section, there are many themes that Obama sees in the American public. For example, in the beguinning, he describes the people as having lost faith in the government. He then goes on to say that Americans are a very determined people who seek what they want. He finishes by giving his view that Americans seem divided by their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteIn the statistics given by the media, they claim that a great majority of American citizens do not vote. This is a sign that the people don't believe in the democratic processes that govern our country. As for the bipartistanism in the United States, there are many stories that talk about how one party does this and the other party does that. These stories give good examples as to how divided people's political views are.
Looking at it from a citizen's POV, I feel Obama is the ideal example of an American. He is a mix of culture and people who grew up exposed to different religions. Because his campaign was run largely on the slogan 'hope,' I think it suggests that he feels Americans are people who always look upward and forward.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in America feels advantageous. Not to say that America is without faults, but that American kids are more likely to believe that they can shape their own future. I think this reflects on the people we grow up to be, which is important since we will all be active members of society one day
En general, Obama pense que tout le monde americain veulent la meme chose. Apres avoir ecoute ce que les Americains lui dit, Obama peut voir que les demandes et necessites ne sont pas extravaggentes. Tout ce qu'ils veulent incluent l'education, l'eau potable, la securite, et les metiers pour gagner d'argent pour survivre.
ReplyDeleteBien qu'ils soient des gens certains, moi par exemple, qui veulent un peu plus comme une voiture sexy, a le fin de la journee, tout nous comprenons que toutes les choses au-dessus sont le plus importantes. Pour moi, et tout le monde je connais, je ne peux pas nommer un qui n'a pas d'acces aux ces choses. Mais, les journaux disent que ce n'est pas le cas. Beaucoup d'americains n'ont pas d'acces a soins de sante, en particulier ceux qui ont besoin des docteurs le plus. Ce seulment parce qu'ils ne sont pas billionaires qui sont capables de payer beaucoup d'argent pour leurs traitements. C'est injuste que des soins de sante ne veulent pas payer pour eux, aussi.
In Audacity of Hope, Barack Obama seems like a normal guy who worked hard to get to the position he's in now. No offense but many republicans such as Bush got to thier position only because of their family background, and because they were trained to become politician since they were young. Imagine, if they were just regular people with not much money, i don't think half of them would've ended up there. However, for Obama, because he had to work to his position, he;s more likely to be sympathetic to just regular working class like us. He does mention that politic is kind of corrupted and that he believes in "evolution, scientific inquiry" that change that we could see. He understand what is to use our voice to the governmnet.
ReplyDeleteI think he'll be a good president
Obama, before becoming the President of the USA,decided to cross the country and hear what were the American people's desires. So that, he could be really aware of what were they expected but avove all, what were their regard of the American goverment. In fact, most of American people aren't avid of incredible things, they just have simple desires. As Eclaut pointed,American people just want the best for themselves and that is perfectly understanding. Indeed, everybody longs to have a peaceful and pleasant life,where your children can go to go school even if you don't have much money because knowledge has to be within everyone's pocket,you don't have to worry in whatever street or metro you are,or access to wholesome food. And that was what Barack Obama understood from his investigations.
ReplyDeleteHowever,he learnt also the desillusion in politics that feel American people. And 2kkhna is perfectly right when she speaks about corruption of political which prevents things from being accomplished, American people do believe it too.
We have to choose the best media to really know and be aware of the expectations of American people. Indeed,if we only pay attention of what the richest people do everyday, we won't be able to know the real American desire. However, I think that most of the medias inform the readers of the hope for the future of the Americans.
As Odile said his title is quite relevant. I think that Obama really tried and is really trying to get closer and closer to the American people.
ReplyDeleteWhat is most striking in his prologue (I focused on the paragraphs Mr s Owens has indicated), is that he acts like a true political man, he feels involved and he accepts differences as he listens to everyone regardless to their political tendency, or their age or wealth or whatever. He has a real skill for listening and then he can be able, maybe more than the others, to help or at least to work in order to ameliorate life conditions in the USA.
Obama succeeds in tearing apart the differences to bring about the unity : the American society cares about its children, its health, its jobs and its retirement in dignity. The mainstream family wants the government to be able to provide sufficient supplies for health care. They no longer want social discriminations regarding studying in colleges. They want a system which would enable anyone to pursue higher studies. Actually, Americans, regardless to their specific characteristics, only aspire to a better society. And Obama stresses this in his prologue. Americans want mere changes no revolutions. The new president and his government is working or trying to, in these directions.
To finish, I would say that yes, in France, we are well aware of the hope of changes in the USA. Media lie sometimes but in this case, French people realize fairly well the current situation in the USA,, and there's no doubt the majority of us is supporting these changes.
Le simple prologue d'Obama montre bien que la société américaine, malgré ses caractéristiques divergentes, désire les mêmes changements. Obama présente des qualités non négligeables en tant qu'homme politique, et maintenant, président, puisqu'il a une facilité à écouter les gens que beaucoup n'ont pas.
ReplyDeleteLes Américains en fait, ont des désirs de changements simples voire élémentaires pour une société. Ils aspirent à une vie meilleure en passant par une demande d'aides plus présentes concernant la sécurité sociale, ou la possibilité pour les bacheliers de pouvoir prétendre à des études supérieures sans avoir à dépenser des fortunes, une retraite paisible et digne, du temps pour s'occuper de sa famille, bref, des choses légitimes en soi.
Les médias en France ne mentent pas à ce sujet : nous sommes bien conscients des désirs de changements et du ras-le-bol des Américains quant au système actuel.
Le simple prologue d'Obama montre bien que la société américaine, malgré ses caractéristiques divergentes, désire les mêmes changements. Obama présente des qualités non négligeables en tant qu'homme politique, et maintenant, président, puisqu'il a une facilité à écouter les gens que beaucoup n'ont pas.
ReplyDeleteLes Américains en fait, ont des désirs de changements simples voire élémentaires pour une société. Ils aspirent à une vie meilleure en passant par une demande d'aides plus présentes concernant la sécurité sociale, ou la possibilité pour les bacheliers de pouvoir prétendre à des études supérieures sans avoir à dépenser des fortunes, une retraite paisible et digne, du temps pour s'occuper de sa famille, bref, des choses légitimes en soi.
Les médias en France ne mentent pas à ce sujet : nous sommes bien conscients des désirs de changements et du ras-le-bol des Américains quant au système actuel.
I think that as Odile said,the title is very striking because it brings us another reality of the american society.A society which will try to focus on HOPE, even if he does not explain in the title what is the hope going to be about(and I think that it's the most powerful part of the title because it appeals you to read the book to know the point. And the fact that he talks about Audacity to my mind shows that they will be willing to put a step back on their situation and realize how it has become and now, they will be able to hope. Thus, as Melanee explained, there are common themes developped in Obama's speech about the people he met. Indeed, they care about their children's future, their job, health care, and safety. And I do think that american people are just human beings, because everybody care about those things, even if I agree that in France we don't really pay attention to health care, or a decent retire. Moreover,I think that Obama first succeded in one point that we just can't deny: He managed to HEAR about the society's fears and maybe that is the stuff which makes the difference. Because he is not only making speech about vague things, but he trying to forget about his stature and just put himself into the minds of people. Because, before beeing a president, he is first a human being, and an american. And I think that's the thing the oldest presidents forgot about.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I do think that the medias make a good job in giving us a summarize of the American society's request. Because,some of them have stopped making such an ideal of the "American way of life", and are now just trying to deliver us the reality, to put the american society in the rank of all the other societies and show that everything has not to be with "The American Dream", and that even this most powerful country has his interne fears, and is ready to think about them and try to solve most of them. But, one personn can't do the job, but I do think that they are in the way to do it. So it starts with Obama and will go on at least with the 50th president of the United States of America.
America was founded on ideals of freedom and a desire to start afresh, a desire to cultivate a new land and set an example for society. Without a doubt, most of these ideas continue to echo in the "common man." As Obama discusses, "most of them [Americans] thought that anybody willing to work should be able to find a job that paid a living wage. They figured that people shouldn't have to file for bankruptcy because they got sick."
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with Obama on this perspective. Working Americans indeed share a common set of values that are consistent through age, gender, ethnicity, and religion. In a sense, most "objective" media sources do portray this idea to a certain extent. Watching sources such as CNN and even satires like The Colbert Report, the message is evident- Americans want a better America, a safer America, without having to worry about a bombing on the other side of the world, especially in a state of financial wreck. Sure many would like to consider America "a city upon a hill," and yes, we do want to protect democracy and freedom around the world, but at the end of the day, America comes first.
I also wanted to mention another excerpt from the book: " ... they wanted clean air, clean water..." I'm quoting Obama himself on this- we do want a cleaner environment, and we do want to leave an inhabitable planet for our kids. Let's hope all goes well, or at least, decent, in Copehagen.
--Manj, Pd. 8
What I found really interesting in this prologue is the fact that Barack Obama doesn't speak as the President of the US but just as an American citizen.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, even if he had been already elected when he published his book, his opinion seems to be only the opinion of someone who tried to understand his society. His work looks like an anthropologist's work.
It's interesting to read the oponion of people who live in the US about the life in the US and to compare these opinions with what we can read and listen about the American society.
If it's so interesting, for me, it's because I think that sometimes we have some prejudice about the US, given by images and pieces of new in the media.
So, now, we have the posibily with Barack Obama's book and the American citizens' opinions to have another point of view.
Here, Barack Obama gives an image of a country were people speak to each other without prejudice or apprehension. In fact, when he met people and spoke with them it's seemed to be normal and takes part of the American's mentality. There is some closenesse between people in a so HUGE country. It seems so amazing for me who thought that, on the contrary, people wanted only their own success.
Now, I see some desire of the construction of a new America but with the union of all American people because it seems to be a people who believe in Nation. They take part of a same country, a same dream of peace, hapiness and success.
It's not the "American dream" as I learnt it in school or how it is presented in the media( the private success and fortune) but it's a common dream.
As Dereck and Forrest said, the American people is just a human and want exactly the same things as other people (shelter, food, peace, education...). But, they appear also like people who work really hard, who take the responsabilities of their lifes and are not expecting anything from anyone. They are hard-workers and just expect a governement as hard-worker as they are (what seems to be totally normal!).
To conclude, I think that the US with Barack Obama is building a new society and another part of the American history.
Joanna xxx
Just one question I want to ask to Odile : are you really sure there isn't any notion of community in France ??? I think you're totally wrong, unless we don't live in the same country.
ReplyDeleteObama is just talking about obvious things, which unfortunately are not so obvious when the time comes to deal with action. I mean about the happiness and welfare of a population that lives on a given territory. Politic should be all about that, all about making it true and possible for each citizens. Citizens should have the right to trust and rely on the State because it was given birth by they own will. And every day they are the ones who actually make the State alive, this is not a mere business of government, administrations or senators. In fact, those who are in power became more and more distant from the real needs of their followers, using politic as a way to gain power. Politic and power became an end, not just a mean. And the those who dwell upon the land which is managed by the State saw their right to happiness progressively disappear, that's particularly true in such a liberal country as the USA where the State doesn' t really interfere with the social life of its citizens. So there will always be the ones who feel forgotten because in their daily life they have to struggle hard to keep it as it is. That's what every citizens want, equal chance for everyone to do their projects, equal right to feel safe and protected by the State and not to be chased by it. And that is also what most of people said to Obama when he was travelling across America during his campaign, he tried to do what politics had not done for a longtime: just to sit and listen. He brought considerable hope with his ideas which appeared totally new. Still, there's nothing new here, this is just the way it has to be, but this image of politic was lost. Perhaps it never existed, all we know is that the medias constantly bring an image of politic which only reflects power handled by very few hands. Then Obama says the opposite of what we hear everyday and he offers a totally different vision of society than during the Bush administration.
However, let us not be fooled by the general enthousiasm Obama created worldwide. A man who aroused so much hope can only be disappointing at the end. One must not forget that he's just one more of the US presidents, and he's got responsabilities which don't neccesary match his ideas. Furthermore such a vision may appeear a bit utopic in a world where human beings are hated for the sake of money. Obama will be hated and loved, disappointing most of the time, successful sometimes. We all know how these things works: first there is the talk, and then there is the praxis, and these two lovers hate each other. The most important thing we must remember of Obama is the hope he was able to give everyone and try to find a way to turn it into a real power for the masses.
I agree with Odile and Melanee, the title is really relevant. I reckon it's very interesting to have another vision of United States of America, far from the image of the powerful capitalist country, the richest of the world. We have to remember that there are about 36 millions of "poor" people in US. And through Obama's speech, we are getting aware of what these people suffer every day. Furthermore, as Laurine said, Barack Obama is able to listen to people and this is very important as a human quality but also in the way Obama intends to govern US. Contrary to the most part of politicians, instead of hipnotizing people with such beautiful speeches which are nothing but dreams never coming true, Obama stops talking in order to listen to the population. But he is not trying to understand the rich capitalist's matters, he is trying to understand the inhabitants who are worrying over the health care, people who must pay to save their life. Thank to industrious past that reminds us of Benjamin Franklin, Obama is aware of what working hard means and therefore he is closer to the lower classes American citizens.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I especially liked the way Barack Obama unveiled the different sides of his personnality for I believe that the way one thinks is the result of a past, of a social background, of strong beliefs above all. And the former US senator made himself responsible of everything that will follow from the various idealogical notions gathered in his personality. First it is very audacious, then it is a way to incite every one to impose an opinion freely because, of course every child deserves a decent education. This should be natural and not only a seemingly righteous promise through a famous quote "no child is left behind". It is amazing to notice that these people are now compelled to hope for things supposed to be naturally granted, while being in a supposedly very rich country.
Obama's call for unity is indeed a classic argument but I do appreciate his humility all the same for he confessed that he does not know exactly how to reach this aim. I have to say that we are not quite used to seeing a humble president in France if we are to focus on Nicolas Sarkozy... And humility is such a beautiful human quality that I cannot help but hope myself to see Obama succeeding in solve all the matters expected to be solved so that this humility could be rightfully praised, not as a way to admit the foreknowledge of a possible failure.
I find the Barack Obbama's prologue very interesting because it enables to us to know what are Barack Obbama's true and concrete intentions and vision about America .
ReplyDeleteFirstly ,I think Barack Obbama is very involved in his country and his policy because he really wants to improve the American's way of life and to help them to have a better life and live in better conditions .In fact, Barack Obbama listens to his population , the one which elected him, so I think he is very sensitive ,human and above all that he keeps his promises .I think he is very different of the others presidents because he has contrary to the others a direct contact whith his population, with the Americans .In my opinion to help the others is trully his passion . In my opinion what American people ask ,as a good job, the possibility to make high studies,the reduction of the cost of health care , aren't exaggerated ; as some people said, I think theses desires are very simple and I really think that all the American deserve to know changes . I hope it for them because I know Americans suffered and are still suffering a lot because of some abberations of their system whereas other people as the French people haven't this kind of problem ( I'm speaking about the health care which are very expensive ) . I also think that Barack Obbama really has the team spirit because he is abble to work whith people he doesn't know in order to make decisions and to make advance things . I think he really wants the well being of his population and that he isn't afraid to realize these changes because Barack Obbama has a lot of values and also great hopes . I think he is very volunteer and that he really belives in evolution and in free speech .
To conclude I agree whith Melanee when she says that in France everybody hope these changes , in fact many French were happy when Barack Obbama has been elected because we wanted to believe that he would change things and we still believe it .
This is Cindy :
ReplyDeleteWhat i find very interesting in this excerpt is Obama' sincerity , and franchise . In fact, in this article , Obama tells us his life , his motivations , his aspirations ;
and what i find the most marvellous is his personnality , in the fact that , contrary to the others political men , Obama is the one of the rare political men who takes care of listenning to the Americans , and who gets around to paying attention to the Americans 'desires . I think that this behaviour towards society is very important because , to me, it is the better way to succeed in changing, and improving the American society . I believe that Obama , is a determined and passionated president because , he really wants to help his people to go out from their bad situation ; for instance, the poor 's problems who don't manage in studying , or going to school , or even in paying their medicine !
So , instead of taking an interest in doing unnecessary things , such as increasing local tax , or income tax , i think that Obama, makes good decisions like the carbon tax ( once more time) .
Moreover, Obama wants to create a more egualitarian system in which all the Amercians could identify themselves .
He doesn't want that the richest people to be more rich than they are , and the poorest people to be more poor than they are . He wants that everybody to enjoy the same rights .
Also, i am striking by the title , because it expresses the Obama's deep desire and will to change this world , and the American society . That reveals that he isn't afraid of bringing and arousing the hope that the American had lost .
Pour répondre à la question de pierre jean je maintiens l'idée selon laquelle il n'y a pas de communauté en france et oui nous vivons dans le meme pays! simplement tu n'as peut etre pas bien observé les choses , un seul exemple , prenons le cas du cran ( conseil représentatif des associations noires de France ) qui a fait polémique lors de sa création simplement parce que tout le monde s'accordait à dire qu'il n'y a pas de communauté noire en france mais bien des nationalités différentes et des origines différentes , une couleur de peau ne fait pas une communauté , un guadeloupéen n'appartient pas par exemple à la meme "communauté" qu'un sénégalais, d'ailleurs la notion de communauté n'est pas admise en France simplement parce que la France est une République , la notion de groupes n'est pas admise la République est une et indivisible .Si tu admets la notion de "communauté" en France je serai curieuse de savoir à quelle groupe tu appartiens...
ReplyDeletePresident Barack Obama’s novel, The Audacity of Hope, is titled perfectly. In the introduction of the novel, he is speaking about a utopian society and what he hopes for but he knows that some of these things are far from practical. He believes that it is not a crime to hope and wish for a perfect country, which is truly commendable. I don’t think many people took into consideration what President Obama titled his book and they assumed that he was saying that he wants to change America completely. He’s talking about what he hopes to do, not what he will do. Sure he has made some promises, but it’s not like he hasn’t been trying to fulfill his promises, he just takes extra long to get his regulations passed by Congress.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Jonathan about the fact that we focus on the issues that we will probably never come to a consensus on instead of focusing on the issues that are fixable. Obama says, “In an era of globalization and dizzying technological change, cutthroat politics and unremitting culture wars, we don’t even seem to possess a shared language with which to discuss our ideals, much less the tools to arrive at some rough consensus about how, as a nation, we might work together to bring those ideals about.” Issues such as health care and gay rights are very controversial and we will probably take a few more years to come up with a true agreement. Today on NY1, they showed a poll from the people in New York State. They asked them if they are in favor or against gay marriage and the votes showed no real decision because the numbers were so close. These things will take years to fix, but problems such as environmental issues are easier to handle and we can make quick judgments on implementing new laws in the United States to protect wildlife. We should definitely focus on the more important things at hand, but also make sure that we are not wasting time debating back and forth about one of America’s many issues.
Jennifer Ro
ReplyDeleteObama looks at the people of the US regardless of their color, class, and beliefs. As a christian and a man of God, so he says, there may be some ideas that conflict with that of his own but I feel presidents especially Obama epitomize the the conglomeration of all beliefs in America.
Does his view match with what you see and read in the media?
What we see in society tends to be filled with innuendos with race and class. His views are not being reflected in America as a whole but I do believe that the start of the Obama administration is the start of a whole new outlook for America. Having our first colored president not only breaks barriers but gives hope to the colored citizens of America.
Pour Odile: Ta question est hors de propos.Le fait que la notion de communauté en France soit une réalité ne signifie pas que cela fasse partie de ma vision de la société, ce n' est pas une opinion, c' est un fait ( ou alors démontre moi qu' en France tout vas bien dans le meilleur des monde, qu' il n' y a pas de minorités visibles, pas de préjugés quand à l' appartenance religieuse ou l' origine, pas de haine "raciale", que tout ceux qui vivent en France ont le sentiment d' être Français, et surtout que tout cela ne donne pas à beaucoup l' impression d' être rejetés, ce qui les conduit à évoluer au sein de leur communauté d' origine et à fonctionner selon une logique de groupe ). De plus je ne vois pas le liens entre la République "une et indivisible" et ce qui nous intéresse ici, la République n' est ni la société, ni la nation ( c' est bien pour cela qu' elle est indivisible). Il ne faut pas confondre. Tu pourras me rétorquer " liberté, égalité, fraternité" et moi je répondrai que les mots sur du papier ne restent que des mots, et que les logiques selon lesquelles fonctionne la société française ne correspondent pas à ces principes. Soyons bêtes et méchants, je vis dans un Etat qui possède un ministère de l' immigration et de l' identité nationale, alors si je suis si "Français" Mr Abdelkader qui vient de d' Algérie, mais vit et travaille en France depuis plusieurs années n' est sûrement pas mon "fère". On parle d' un Etat qui chasse des citoyens "Français" de faits ( ils ne leur manquent qu'un coup de tampon pour le certifier ). Ceci pour dire que nos dirigeants eux mêmes ignorent les principes de la République, et ils ignorent surtout qu' est ce qu' être Français. Car c' est bien la question de l' identité qu' il y a au fond de cette notion de "communauté", et la France ne serait ce que par son histoire est plurielle, diverse, riche des différentes cultures qui y cohabitent tant bien que mal. ( bon mal la plus part du temps lol ). Peut être ne t' es tu pas dit que si la communauté noire existe au USA, ce la traduit certains malaises dans la société américaine, je sais pas moi, le fait par exemple qu' ils aient toujours été les grand oubliés du rêve américain ?
ReplyDeleteTout cela pour dire que les choses et relations humaines ne peuvent se résumer à de simples question de principes qui ne sont que les reflets d' une conception binaire, réductrice de la société, c' est infiniment plus compliqué. Et c' est comme cela que ça fonctionne.
Je pense que les Américains ne lui demande que le stricte nécéssaire pour avoir une vie décente.
ReplyDeleteC'est à dire un état qui leur garantit une bonne santé que meme le plus malheureux puisse bénéficier de soin et que cela ne se fasse pas à la tete du client ou juste selon le nombre de 0 qu'il y a sur son compte en banque , deuxièmement que tout le monde bénéficie de la meme éducation pour que tout le monde puisse un jour s'accomplir intellectuellement et enfin après avoir travailler durement toute sa vie une retraite paisible et surtout une sécurité.
Je pense que ces demandes n'ont rien d'extraordinaires car c'est la mission du gouvernement de mettre a la disposition de son peuple des moyens pour participer a son épanouissement.
Enfin , je pense qu'au niveau des média le travail n'est pas toujours bien fait.
Il y a certaines choses qui sont tabou pour ne pas soit disant choquer , qu'est ce qui risque de choquer? la réalité .
Au contraire je pense que c'est la vie au quotidien qui permettrait de prendre conscience et de voir quels secteurs meriteraient d'etre améliorer.
Le débat Odile VS Pierre-Jean est mouvementé ! Je me range plus du coté de Pierre-Jean.Je suis d'accord que la notion de communauté ne doit pas etre fondée autour de la couleur. Pour avoir vécu en France, apart l'incident du CRAN, je peux te garantir, Odile, qu'il existe bien des communautés relatives aux origines (communauté martiniquaise, algérienne, marocaine, sénégalaise, commoriennne etc ...). Pourquoi ? Parce que comme le dit Pierre-Jean, ces personnes, malheureusement, ont besoin de se retrouver entre elles pour recréer un faux-semblant de leur pays, parce qu'elles sentent que leur identité, leur racine, leur tradition (cullinaires, religieuses, vestimentaires...) sont au-delà du territoire français.
ReplyDeleteLa France est loin d'etre une et indivisible ; c'est la République qui l'est, en tant que c'est une institution, c'est quelque chose d'immuable, contrairement aux hommes qui ont des sentiments, des points de vue, des ressentis, des humeurs !
De plus, si la République était une et indivisible, comment pourrais-tu expliquer les fortes tendances régionalistes qu'il existe notament dans le pays basque et en Corse ?Bien qu'elles appartiennent au territoire francais, ces régions ont des traditions et des mentalités qui leur sont propres, beaucoup plus développées que n'importe qu'une autre région.
LE fait de vivre sur le sol français n'empêche à personne d'exprimer et revendiquer ses différences. Ce n'est pas parce qu'on vit sur le territoire français qu'on est OBLIGE d'en partager les valeurs, tant qu'on est pas en accord avec.