Why Obama is Still My Man By Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo

In 2004, Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Congress woman, recently visited the White House with a congressional delegation. Making her way out, she passed President Bush and the president literally jumped back on seeing “Obama” button pinned to her chest. Guessing what the president was thinking, she told him, “Mr. President, it is Obama with a “b”. Still, the president did not get it. The congresswoman briefly explained to Bush who Obama was. “Well, I don’t know him”, the president responded. Jan Schakowsky paused for a moment and then said to the president, “You will.”

I first wrote about Barack Obama in 2004 in an article I called, Obama: The Audacity of Hope. In it I predicted that he would be elected President of the United States in 2016. Little did I know that he would be ending his second term in 2016. As America sets to reelect Obama for a second term, it is important to remember why Obama was the man then and is still the man today despite the political battering he has taken over the last four years. At the risk of sounding dumb, dated and drunk, I republish unedited my February 2008 article, “Why Obama Is My Man.”
 
Enjoy!
I am watching America.
 
As an African, I have known charred hope. I have seen stolen opportunities. I have witnessed the lavish celebration of abysmal failure. As an antidote to it all, I have padded my sanity with the juice of cynicism.
 
For that reason, I was very reluctant to emotionally invest in Barrack Obama. I was not sure what another heartbreak would do to my soul. A heartbreak in Africa could be pieced together with strings of tears but a heartbreak in America, “the land of the free, the home of the brave, and the last best hope for mankind,” portends total disillusionment.
 
Since Obama won the Democratic Party caucus in Iowa, I have been watching America. I have been holding my breath. And so should you.
 
I am watching America to see what it does with Obama. I am watching on behalf of my four-year old daughter, Ijeamaka, and my nine-month old son, Ogonna. I watch because I know my children’s fate in America will not differ from Obama’s. One generation after, my children will receive in their prime the same treatment America is giving today to Obama, the son of a white Kansas blonde.
 
For so long, the prevailing mantra has been that “it is what it is.” In Obama, America seems to be saying that “it does not always have to be what it is.” In the past, America has proved that it can uphold its creed, polish its union, and advance its citizenship. It seems this is one of those times. And that is why I am watching America.
 
If America finds home for Obama, America will in that singular act find home for so many people of color who have one foot in America and another hanging outside.
 
If America gives Obama a strong place to stand, America will be giving millions of people eager to embrace the American ideals but unsure of their place in it, a stool on which to lift America up.
 
I am watching America. I am holding my breath. And so should you.
 
From Nairobi to Niamey, Cairo to Cape Town, Africa fumbles. For me, each fumble raises the question of where home is? The more the place I came from ceases to look like home, the more I desire to have as home where I reside. But until I feel at home in America, I remain a divided soul.
 
I have come to terms with that paradox. What I have not come to terms with is where that leaves my children. And that is why I am watching America.
 
If America finds home for Obama, America will be going a step further to make me feel at home in America.
 
If America finds home for Obama, America will be reducing in leaps and bounds my wariness about the place of my children in America.
 
If America takes care of Obama, I can then relax knowing that America will take care of Ijeamaka and Ogonna.
 
America’s flag flies high because it is always looking for a place where everyone can see it and salute it’s pursuit of a higher purpose.
 
If America embraces Obama, America will be shedding off the yoke of its ugly past.
 
If America listens to Obama, America will be paying tribute to screams long suppressed.
 
If America welcomes Obama, America will be giving reasons for many to believe again.
 
If America kisses Obama, America will be opening the door for dreams to fly in once more.
 
Obama is like an exquisite painting that critics all agree makes a statement. What America does with that painting will be televised for posterity. If America hides it under the shelf, that statement will reverberate all over the globe. If America hangs it on its living room wall, America will be rewarded with a blessed future.
 
There is no accident in the birth of destiny. There are only consequences for its deferment.
 
Those who hitch on the wind of transformation go far. Those who put up windbreaks on its path invite the wrath of fortune.
 
I should not be saying this to America, for America should have known this already. So, I sit back and watch.
 
I am watching America to see what it does with Obama.

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More of the same is coming Obama 2016

I'm concerned about our job market, that claims that unemployment is in single digits and is bogus because the way it's counted. The jobs numbers do not consider the number of people who have become disenfranchised and stopped looking, the real numbers approx 20%. More of the same is coming Obama 2016: http://www.obama-2016.com

@Chiwamkpam Ayamkpam...continue to be a MUGU!!!

you are such a fucking illiterate. you have lost your mind, if you ever had one. now that obama won decisively, you think the american public share your view? asshole, do the right thing...just shoot yourself and be rested.make it painless and aim squarely between the eyes.

i hope you enjoyed "your vomit"...

i hope you all enjoyed "your vomit"...because the empty suit won. brainless chicken shit morons.

Why diminish the feat Obama has achieved?

Dear Rudolf,

I am normally your fan. However, I beg to totally disagree with you on this article. Fours years ago, I was very upbeat about Obama presidency. Yet, it was not just about his race. He had a message that resonates with the people. To crown this, he put together a campaign machine that was legendary. When my colleagues were dismissing him even before the democratic conventions, I was betting that he would win. He did. It was not because of his race but in spite of it.

This your article diminishes the ruthless efficiency with which his campaign was executed. It ignores the statistics from the election which shows that more whites may have voted for him than blacks. At the end of the day, he won in part because Romney did not present a better path for Americans plus more importantly, he had a far better campaign than his challenger. Let's not look at it with racial prism.

You Got it Wrong

This piece was written before Obama became president and if I may ask you, what reason did white people have to have voted for him twice?

So Why did Whites Vote for Him?

If Rudolph and the Black Americans (35% of the population) voted for Obama because of his race why did the 55% White women, 59% of young people, 60% of Hispanics vote for him? He was a better choice than Romney and let me remind you why - He Stopped the bleeding of 10 million dollars a month from Iraq war; Killed Bin laden, something Bush could not do in 8 years; Reduced AL-Qaeda to nothing; We were loosing 800,000 jobs a month in 2008 now we are gaining average of 170,000 per month. America is respected in the world again and if we need to take out Iran, at least 10 other countries will join, because he has given ample time and consultation, not dictated to the rest of the world. About 35% of Americans have no Health Insurance right now. With the passage of "Obama Care" by 2014 almost all Americans ( upwards of 95%)will have health insurance and be able to go to a doctor without out-of-pocket payment. All these with unheard of opposition from Republicans.

You are the fool (continued)

Not only that, in a patient-doctor commercial, black man is now the doctor, not the sick one! Can you imagine how many jobs for black actors? Go to any corporate board room and you will find fortune 500 companies hiring black CEOs. Why? It is trending. You are not complete, do not belong or have the face of America if there is no Black person in your group. For the first time in history, Disney made a cartoon movie for children with a black princess! White little girls are now carrying black Barbie dolls in malls and it is now nothing for black and white people to be married. And for those of us whose children are like Obama,the son of an African immigrant, we know the sky is the limit, my son can become the president of the United States. That is what makes this nation better than any in the world. Think about it, can the catholic church elect a black pope?
So please shut your trap, switch off Rush Limbaugh and ask someone on grounds.

You are the fool

Let me remind you what President Obama has done: Stopped the bleeding of 10 million dollars a month from Iraq war. Another 10 million to follow by end of 2012 from ending Afghan war (can you imagine what this will do to US economy?). He has Killed Bin laden, something Bush could not do in 8 years. Reduced AL-Qaeda to nothing with increased offensive in Pakistan mountains. We were loosing 800,000 jobs a month in 2008 now we are gaining average of 170,000 per month. America is respected in the world again and if we need to take out Iran, at least 10 other countries will join, because he has given ample time and consultation, not dictated to the rest of the world. About 35% of Americans have no Health Insurance right now. With the passage of "Obama Care" by 2014 almost all Americans ( upwards of 95%)will have health insurance and be able to go to a doctor without out-of-pocket payment.

Obama is an empty suit

The world will end unexpectedly due to incompetence of that "talking drum" who has no indept experience on anything! Switch off that teleprompter and he goes bare! What has Obama achieved and how has his policies improved the lot of blackman in America? I wouldn't be surprised if the likes of Rudolf returns him to the the WH, because he is black. Shame on all of you for still supporting that idiot after all he did in Libya!

@Amkpan Amkpan

Wow! Why so much hatred against an annointed one. When God says YES, No One dare say "No". U think this guy Obama just got there by default? Just go & read all u can about him. Anyway, with your baseless predicted which u are passionate enough, I hope u will not be among some of d casualties of "over my dead body" syndrome. I replay ur words so u can swallow it back up. Enjoy your vomit!!..... all the corruption, mediocrity, and empty speeches ALL ENDS TODAY. FAILURE WILL BE DEFEATED. EMPTY SPEECHES WILL BE REJECTED. INCOMPETENCE WILL BE CHASED OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY! And it all happens tonight regardless of your support for the "empty suit" called Obama.

Wow Ogoo, 2004? You’ve sure

Wow Ogoo, 2004? You’ve sure been churning pointles s, ill-conceived, poorly constructed pieces for a while. One would think that with the title “...my man” the article will be based on Obama’s admirable qualities, not the citizenship status of your family. Your piece on “What is killing Off African Men in America” (2012-11-08) for me, takes the cake in pointlessness, your review on Achebe’s latest, an exercise in inanity....sacrament? Please! More power to your elbow my brother; you may be up for the journalist’s version of the Razzie awards any time soon.

Until Obama came Kenya was at peace with itself-now its ashaba

Obama will never be my man. Not any more. Yes he was 4 yrs ago. But since he organized the cold blooded murder of Gaddafi in Libya, I stopped looking at his face for comfort. The comfort in which some seek solace or bury the region our leaders hail from-in africa-for some Africans in the USA, who went out of their way to force blacks out to vote, he was as good as gone. Of what use is Obama to Africa and the black Americans community beyond the White House where he behaves like a real Uncle Tom! I am very sure the bombs will start flying around Syria very soon-with one of the devils in Britain Cameron giving his support to members of Boko Haram in that country. With the re-election of Obama, Assad is as good as gone. Except Russia acts positively to thwart the evil acts of blood thirsty Hussein Obama! Israel supported his re-election because they know he would be planning to attack Iran after his swearing in-ceremony.

Impressive. Prophetic.

Impressive. Prophetic. Welcome the 44th president of the USA. Wish our chequered country will learn a thing or two from this election, victory and defeat. Another opportunity to learn to play by the rules. But shall we learn? In 2015? Time will tell.

Yes is a Roaring Tide of Fortune

Yes, Obama will remain a roaring tide of fortune for America, the black race, and the world at large. I know he will be re-elected. Romney do not have what it takes to clean up the east coast after this deadly storm, he lacks the face of goodwill that will embrace peace in a turbulent world were every American is a ransom to behold.

Yes, i wrote on a blog after listening him Obama campaign for Democrate Candidate of Maryland in Bowie State University that i pray it happens in "My Time" that Obama becomes the president of America, now its history, the next history that will happening a couple of minutes of from now is the congratulatory call to Obama from Romney. This one call we lack in my motherland : Nigeria.

Pls all rise up and give a standing ovation to our man who makes history today and stand at par Abraham Lincoln.
God bless America and Nigeria too.

just like Jonathan was your man - incompetence in action - 1

Rudolf, your ilk is why someone like Jonathan is Nigeria's president. Someone is clearly unable to handle the job, but people like you will vote for them because of skin color or they come from your village or state or region. Clearly, Obama is incapable of solving the nation's economic problems, but people like you will vote for him because he is black, eventhough your type and black Americans also say, on the other hand, that you should be judged on your competence and not by skin color. Isn't that hypocrisy at its peak? Clearly, Obama has destroyed, even further, the country by adding $5 trillion to the nation's debt in just 4 yrs - George Bush only added $1 trillion in 8 years). Is that a record worth supporting? Not surprising why African countries and black people are where we are. Ever wondered why countries run and controlled by black people are the way there are?

just like Jonathan was your man - incompetence in action - 2

Ever questioned why black neighborhoods are run-down slums both in Nigeria and America? Does that in anyway suggest something may be wrong with us black people? Could that mean that black people are incompetent and self-destructive in most respect? Okay, people say Black Americans are suffering from post-slavery syndrome, but what excuse do African countries like Nigeria have? Rudolf, can you please answer that? Can you tells us why black people can't run businesses successfully without the whole thing crumbling at some point? Or is all that the white man's fault? Rudolf, you are a disappointment. Indeed, you are, but thank God, unlike the Federal Banana Republic of Nigeria, all the corruption, mediocrity, and empty speeches ALL ENDS TODAY. FAILURE WILL BE DEFEATED. EMPTY SPEECHES WILL BE REJECTED. INCOMPETENCE WILL BE CHASED OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY! And it all happens tonight regardless of your support for the "empty suit" called Obama.

an inch towards a more perfect union...

holding my breath!!!...they say the first time is the deepest...the second time will the the sweetest after all the HATE and deliberate in-your-face OBSTACLE for him to fail. when they wake up tomorrow morning, the GOP will structurally change their party when they realize they do not have enough white people to vote obama out. what northern nigeria are dealing with, america will realize in a few hours. there will be a lot of old white men with heart burn and chest pains. some will leave the country, most will never smile again for the next four years. they never knewn anyone like him, planned like him, smart like him or worked as hard as he does. money can not buy the ground game. it's the ground game -- stupid!!!...it's community organizing brought to you by the community organizer....bet on that...never bet against OBAMA

He's Black

@ Rudolf: all these long story just to avoid saying: You support Obama because he's black!

WHY OBAMA IS YOUR MAN!

Is Obama still your man because of the money you have recieved from homosexual lobbyists?
Or Obama still your man because Planned Parenthood(no 1 abortion agency) has settled you?
Or Obama still your man because he has improved the economy?
Or has your economic prospects improved?
Or is it because of his brown skin?
Or because you are ashamed to admit that you were wrong in 2008?

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Nice piece Rudolph....i really would love for you to read Femi Fani-Kayode's article on Obama...i'm sure it would crack you up just a bit...lol

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