In the just concluded G-20 summit held in London within the first week of April, the US President, Barack Obama was undoubtedly the king of the show. He was the new kid on the block! Before and after the summit, it was a week long tour of Europe for the American President with stopovers in Turkey and Iraq. It was great sight seeing how the young Charismatic and amiable president effortlessly put back the shine again on American image. Large crowds of admirers lined the streets of Europe, from London to Prague, to Istanbul to welcome the new face of America- Obama. This is quite unlike what used to be the case a few months ago when protesters would block the streets burning American flags when republican George Bush was in-charge.
How successful the summit was is a different issue for discussion in another forum. Since the end of the summit and the return of President Obama from the foreign trip, a lot of issues have been generated as the outcome of the trip. However, of all these, the most provocative one have been the GOP attack on President Obama on what the press called “Obama Bow Row”. Video and TV clips have been circulating in the internet and other electronic media showing Obama purported bowing while greeting the Queen of England and while shaking hands with the Saudi’s King.
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The conservative Americans have been kicking much fuss about this act as if he committed a capital crime. They have accused him of groveling before Monarchs. In this instance, the question to ask is; did he really bow before these persons while greeting them? Even if he did; what is wrong about it? Is it written in American constitution that American president can never bow? Does being American President makes him the president of the whole world or puts him above every other human being on earth?
To put this issue in proper perspective, bowing is not a gesture of submission nor is it of weakness; neither does it imply greater strength on the part of the person bowed to. It is simply a sign of respect to some one older than you are. Those critics should realize that the Queen and the King are Royal Monarchs ruling over kingdoms with all regalia of Royalty imbibed in their personalities. Royalty just command respect! The bible which the Americans profess to have so much faith in, enjoins its believers to honor those in authority and respect elders. The same bible says that no king is made without the approval of God, and in this case we can well assume that these two Monarchs, the Queen of England and the Saudi King have the express approval of the Supreme Being. Any way, one can pardon their ignorance since American never had Royals and would never recognize one when they see it and would never know what it takes to respect any.
Secondly, people should also note that, much as Barack Hussein Obama is an American, he is equally an African. Half the blood running his veins and half the genes of his body chromosomes is of African origin. In Africa, respect for elders and one’s seniors is paramount. It is non-negotiable. No matter how high you have attained and how much success you have achieved you must never erred in the area of respect for your elders and seniors. In African parlance, irrespective of culture a younger person cannot shake the hands of an elder without bowing or bending at the knee. Even in some more traditional culture, it may be necessary to genuflect or at extreme prostrate as mark of respect.
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To avoid being misunderstood, I am not in any way suggesting that the American President should go prostrating before every Monarch in this modern age. That is suicidal and would be like giving away everything America stood for. But, just to ask those critics, how did they expect Obama to greet the Queen? Stare her on the face, give her causal hands shake and a pat on the back? For Heaven sake, the Queen is old enough to be Obama’s grand mother and the Saudi King old enough to be his father.
Seeing Barack Obama gives respect and honor to those whom it is due, is most welcome. It is good to be different and deviate from the pride and arrogance that characterized the eight years of Mr. George Bush’s misrule. As an African, to see Obama in that bowing gesture made me very proud and I think it did too for many Africans who still know what respect is all about.
Come on, these conservative critics should give the world a break and stop criticizing everything Obama just because they are no longer in power. There are more important issues that need the attention of an effective and robust opposition than dwelling in the trivialities.
Finally, Obama should stop denying that he did. He should just accept and acknowledge that he did it true to his African culture of respect for elders. Simple and short! Then we can conveniently say he is truly “THE SON OF THE SOIL”. Period!
Ben Nkemachor
13-04-2009
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