The Achilles' heel
The issue of race has always been the Achilles' heel of the United States. Beginning with the British during the Revolutionary War, the existence of slavery and its legacy in the form of racial segregation have been cited by critics abroad as evidence of the shallowness of the democratic ideal in America. Months before the election, Fidel Castro predicted that it would be impossible for a black man to be elected president of the United States.
Although racial problems remain, the victory of Barack Obama is symbolically very important. Together with his commitment to more diplomacy and a less confrontational approach, Obama's election has already begun to change the image of America abroad, bringing it closer to the Jeffersonian ideal of a place of liberality and magnanimity. This is already apparent from the tremendous international enthusiasm for his election and by the massive crowds that greeted him during his election campaign in Europe.
ANDREW O'SHAUGHNESSY is Saunders Director of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello.
Comments
"Obama was elected in a country fixated on American Idol..." No contemporary, popular tv talent show has introduced the American public to personality-based politics. Andrew Jackson's charismatic "man of the people" image unabashedly moved America into an era of popular politics and electioneering that even Jefferson, with all of his admittedly facile "political gamesmanship" never expected and never liked.
Likening either modern party's popular electioneering to "American Idol"s sheer entertainment and commercial goals echos the Federalists' critiques of the Democratic-Republicans' emphasis on the authority of the common people, which the Federalists dubbed the "mob" or the "rabble". Among the implications of "all men are created equal" is the fact that a national candidate must reach out to large groups of people in order to develop effective support. Such reaching out necessarily involves an element of theater.
One significant danger inherent in democratic politics is that it can degenerate into pandering or empty posturing. Yet another, perhaps more insidious danger inherent in democratic "all men are created equal" politics is that it permits a dissenting party to write-off all statements and actions of the administrating party as being examples of disingenuous theatricality. Either scenario erodes reasonable, intelligent discussion of the issues at hand.
"The issue of race has always been the Achilles’ heel of the United States"
You are correct in this statement only. Obama was elected in a country fixated on American Idol, so no, I do not think Jefferson would celebrate the victory of a candidate who shows open disdain towards the U.S. Constitution. You honestly think Jefferson would be proud of a country that elects a candidate based on race alone? If Jefferson were alive today, he would emmigrate.
"the existence of slavery and its legacy in the form of racial segregation have been cited by critics abroad as evidence of the shallowness of the democratic ideal in America. Months before the election, Fidel Castro predicted that it would be impossible for a black man to be elected president of the United States."
To which countries do we stand below in terms of civil rights? China? Countries in the Middle-East? Europe? Russia? Cuba? Are you serious? List these critics other than Fidel Castro who certainly has no room to speak!
Hmm. . . "Jeffersonian ideal of a place of liberality and magnanimity" indeed. I'm not sure how often Jefferson himself achieved that ideal given his mastery of political gamesmanship. However, I think this website and the opening comments are very exciting.
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Of course race is the Achilles' heel of much of the world, amplifying the symbolism of Obama's election. People around the world aren't just happy to see the United States come closer to fulfilling its ideals, but also to think their own dreams might be more attainable--look at the reaction in Kenya. And what an important time for new reflections on race and human potential in general, when a new racisim is growing so quickly in parts of Europe experiencing a large influx of immgrants. Racism has always been a global Achilles', so the international enthusiam for Obama is especially encouraging.