This is something i was thinking about last month after reading an article by Corey Robin in The Nation’ September issue. I was struck by the fact that the anti colonial movement, a part of Kenyan history inspired liberalism and the civil rights movement in America (60′s and 70′s). From an idealistic point of view, it brings up pride that our forbearers did effect change thousands of miles away.
However, i cannot help but feel like that special thing (for lack of a better word) that inspired Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and the feminists is gone. IMO there seems to be a fear in some parts of American society, such that there is an erosion of that progressive American quality of striving for democratic ideals. (Be it the fear of terrorists or immigration – check out the piece on why you should avoid montana if you look like/are a foreigner) I feel dissapointed. As part of the ever-evolving kenyan multi cultural set, growing up and learning of a broad spectrum of history and world affairs (you know yourselves -those geography classes?! fjords?!) America/ the west had this certain lustre. Scientific, progressive, rich, an aura of freedom, perhaps even illicit. (You know of people who would read James Hadley Chase hidden in the folds of the english textbook and other similar shenanigans).
Dont get me wrong, the work ethic of Americans is like no other. There is much that works, but lately it doesn’t appear that their is much to look at. Freedom is continually being redefined (or eroded depending on your point of view)slowly but surely with the application of the Patriot Act. Equality and ‘the new deal’? One word – Katrina. Womens rights – Politics at the FDA blocking the availability of the morning after pill even after studies deemed it safe and effective. To paraphrase, it was blocked because of an excuse, not a reason. The recent indictments of Scooter Libby also bring up lots of questions (an argument can be made that the indictments were an indication that all has ‘not gone to heck’). Guantanamo bay, the recent indications that America has overseas gulags…
This can’t all be a downer now can it? With the realization that the lustre that was, no longer is, the glint on the american silver dollar is abit dimmer now, my question is where is the next global movement? Will the legacy of that movement be that of real change? I would like to think that there is something that we can point to, but global warming is not leaving much time to ponder these questions now is it?
Awww…how can the USA even think of democratic ideals while at the same time their government is kickin (international) law of nations?
Change comes from within, and I think the “next big thing” the US will be up to is to cope with their environmental issues – just like the rest of the world, thus making this a global issue.
Love the new look you! Very snazzy!
I so hear you on the ‘faded greatest democracy’ that is America. I was wondering to myself, what Americans themselves are doing about it. Alot of the upheaval in parts of the world especially relating to terrorism and anti-terrorism seem to be reactions to their leader’s bull in a china shop syndrome of handling it, ‘you’re either with us or not’. I don’t always hear in the news, read in the US papers much on any opposition to this kind of behavior. It’s left to the rest of us, facing the effects in Iraq, Afghanistan etc. to deal with the idiot man. But I was recently glad to read a great piece in the Vanity Fair (Nov. issue??) about this silence, the idiot man’s gaffe’s etc. and at least felt better that there is opposition and some Americans are not keeping quiet about it! Sorry – seem to have done a whole blog here…see it’s soo comfy in this your new spot:)
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The deal the Bush administration offered, give up some rights and you get security has been shown by events as flawed. As an outsider looking in it is refreshing to see the wool slowly fall from the eyes of the American public as they start questioning their government again.
Couple of things. The worm is already turning. I was very frustrated when W got re-elected and seriously thought of moving to Canada. But it would be a huge disruption to go through and, you know, it’s darn cold up there in the winter “global warming” not withstanding. If you take the long view of history, I think the administration of George W. Bush is just another in a continuing struggle for true democracy in America. I personally believe that John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy were assassinate by the same forces. This forces propelled Richard Nixon in to the White House. If you think things are bad in America now, then your memory is short. They shot war protesters back then (see Kent State). Miraculously, Watergate happened and the Nixon people were swept from power. But they regrouped and came back at us with Regan / Bush the Elder–more wars, more death. Again, another miracle, some bumpkin from Arkansas beats their butts for 2 election in a row and America (and the world) prospered like never before from 1992-2000.
One of the 7 most populous states in the US is Illinois. It was a safe Republican state. However, the former Republican governor, Ryan has been indicted for corruption along with 65 of his cronies. That scandal has turned Illinois completely Blue. Guess who led the federal investigation that nailed Rep. Gov. Ryan? Patrick Fitzgerald. This is a guy who professes to have no political affiliation but fate has put him into a position to mow down corrupt Republicans. I don’t think his current investigation will stop with Libby. There is a huge criminal investigation of corrupt Republicans going on right now in Ohio, another large key state. One republican has already been indicted in Ohio and more should follow. If Ohio swings blue like Illinois, the tide definitely turns the other direction.
It’s just a long. long battle against dark forces. Call them neocons, rightist usurpers, whatever–men of greed and power. If there is a God, they will be defeated.
Another thought about going to Canada or Europe. If the neocons hold on to America and its military, is there really anywhere in the world that will not feel the effects? No, we’re all in it together. Better to stay and fight I think.
jke – Yeah. The fact that the bush administration decided not to sign the kyoto treaty was such a blow to efforts against global warming, considering much of the rest of the world had ratified it. It was just a first step that the bush admin couldnt even take with the rest of the world. Will things turn with regime changein the us? That’s about the only remaining option at this time i think, calling for conservation in a carefully scripted speech is one thing…actually doing something about environmental damage is quite another. I just heard him on the radio today and EVERYTHING he says rings so hollow. He said something like working within the law to prosecute terrorists. As he said this, images of Abu Ghraib just flashed into my mind…The man needs to just stop.
Afrofem, Thank you! When you come back to this thread, check out jjrays’ comments! There are americans who will not let this state of affairs stand. He sounds like he was featured on the vanity fair magazine!
Mental, indeed, Americans being inventive and resourceful a balance between upholding rights and WOT could have been struck, but then again they are dealing with the likes of ‘You are doing a heckuva job’ Brownie, the current admin did not seem to have even given that a priority. What the bush admin cuts into the defn of America. I just came acrosss a blog post by David seruyange that kind of touched on ‘Americaness’. check it out
jjr – Please dont go! that will make it entirely harder to visit Irene and you! Being a kenyan who has never gotten used to ice cold weather i am glad you are staying. What can i say, the passion of people like you…, i cant imagine how maddening it is for you as an American citizen. Awaiting the next press conference from the batman? Spiderman? of Amer. politics Pat Fitzgerald.