Politics is ephemeral, which is why I would never put this in the book, and why I’m posting it here.
I’ve lived my entire adult life under the Bush administration. I was 17 years old when he took office. I couldn’t even vote.
I have no idea what it’s like to be a proud American. I have no idea what it’s like to have a leader with a decent national vision, who wants to lead America forward instead of back into the Dark Ages.
People say he’s just an image. A myth.
Well, images and myth have the power to change things.
It’s hard not to be inspired.
One of my favorite cartoonists, Steve Brodner, says it better than me:
As members of the fraternity of satiric artists and people who contribute to mainstream and independent media we must focus intensely on Obama; what he says, how his positions may veer off the right course. He needs criticism from us more than a Republican, because he can do more damage in his way. And he can be moved (he reads!)
But for tonight I think pausing and feeling this moment is a good thing. It is hard to be cynical and pissed off tonight, for me. Because there is nothing in our lives to compare this with. It, to me, is the good part of America, after all the sludge it has been covered with, and all its own flaws that have contributed for so long to its isolation, finally reasserting itself. Struggling back into the daylight. And here is the messenger, flawed, gawky, seemingly out of nowhere. But he’s right enough to pin hopes on. And if you are a praying person, to do that too. Things have gotten pretty bad very fast. Here is a thing that reminds us that we are made of better stuff. Sure we’ll take this guy apart as we go. That’s the drill. But here’s hoping he has the talent to transcend, not only tonight, but the horrible trends we and human kind have set in motion. Go Barack.
I couldn’t agree more, Austin. But that “I have no idea what it’s like to be a proud American” comment might get you tarred as unpatriotic, although in doing so you’d find yourself next to Michelle Obama – which would at least put you in very good company.
just to comment on the propaganda itself being that he’s a “ripple in the universe,” in a sense it reminded me of a whole “debate” I had with a Star Wars fanatic about politics which resulted to Obama being the New Hope (Luke Skywalker) and everything after. This all happened in a pop culture composition class a year ago. I’m such a nerd but it makes too much sense that he succeeds otherwise we’ll just experience a slightly different Bush campaign all over again. With that implied let’s become the new order.
Love the style of your blackout poetry!
The perfect marriage of Found Art and the Sharpie!
You make it look so simple, so natural. You make me want to try it.
Thanks for the wake up and shake up.