On Wednesday Nov. 5th, the US presidential election results were heard in Berlin. Many Berliners stayed up all night to see the results of the election. There were parties all around the city, for Americans, other expats, and even as specific as for Democrats. . It wasn’t until 6am that the results were in. The buzz was similar to what I expect it was like in the states.
My friend Terra asked me the other week, in an email, about my thoughts on the election. With the internet I haven’t missed much of the hype. I enjoyed the SNL skits, the terrible interviews of the GOP party, but overall, I didn’t care much for the last-minute hoopla.
Today was the only day where I felt like I was slightly missing out. None of my German colleagues had much to say. Obama was brought up a few times in passing, but nothing substantial. On the U-Bahn there are monitors attached to the ceiling of the train cars. They display a rotation of advertisements and fun Berlin facts. Today, included in the mix was a brief announcement about Obama’s victory. It was a short news text and a weird sand castle picture of Obama’s head.
Not until tonight, while attending a small Obama celebration party, did I feel the worldly effects of this presidential election outcome. I met Kleo, an artist participating in a residency here in Berlin, and originally from Namibia, Africa. He was an inspiring person to meet on this night especially. He expressed an understanding of this event that gave me optimism.
Before I went to the party, I was a bit weary of the ideological jibber jabber that gets thrown around. A lot of superficial talk that doesn’t go anywhere and usually comes from someone dominating the conversation because he likes to hear himself talk. This was not the case tonight! (Maybe a little at times, but heck.)
Kleo understands Obama’s victory as an important sign of action. He believes the negative sentiment towards America might begin to change. There’s motivation at the individual level and this is what makes change happen. People around the world are celebrating, and perhaps realizing that by connecting with one another things can get done.
I don’t like to express hope in such general terms. What I am trying to say is that I find inspiration from Kleo and his understanding that it’s not Obama who will change the world, it’s the ideas that Obama puts forward. It’s the working class that has to make these changes and enforce those ideals. Kleo stated that it is not about Obama being black, “…because that is racist. It’s about what he stands for and how he can empower individuals to act.”
I was demoralized after the last election, but to hear someone from Namibia, who I met in Berlin, speak so articulately about the responsibility of action and importance of supporting a community, I have hope that “Obama” will inspire a great deal of people.
An example of this notion that responsibility lies at the individual’s level is evident in Kleo’s work he told me about. Next year, his visa expires and he is going back home to Namibia. He plans on creating a camp for foreign visitors to come and do a kind of residency in his hometown. The basic ideas are centered around exchange and exploring ways of how to support one another with a global understanding.
Kleo is optimistic about America’s relationship with Africa. He says, “Don’t construct your understanding of African countries by what is portrayed in the media. It’s not all about war, disease, and drugs.” He hopes to educate people about the larger picture, by inviting as many interested people as he can to experience his hometown. Perhaps creating real connections to each other, more people can start to take responsibility for other people, instead of just themselves or worse, just sitting on laptops watching You Tube.
