Barack Obama: An Afrocentric Reality

By Moise Anilus

The reality of seeing a black person taking the oath of office as the first black U.S President is profoundly moving and infinitely inspiring. Most of us never thought we would see this moment in our lifetime. Not only are we joyful at the fact that the president is of African origin, but also we can’t help but marvel by his unique intellectual demeanor, exceptional professionalism and his sense of global spectacle.

It must be said that the kind of exquisite intellectualism exhibited by President Obama is a unique component of afrocentrism. It is true enough that, throughout history, most of the people that have moved the world with oratory skills have been those of African origin. King Solomon, Martin Luther King Jr. Malcom X, Nelson Mandela possessed similar charisma and sophisticated intellect.

I for one am very impressed by Obama. I am impressed because I didn’t expect to see that level of intellectualism in politics, especially in American politics.  Usually American politics is devoid of intellectual substance, and many politicians are often reluctant to show their level of intellect. Before Obama, black people were impressed by Bill Clinton’s ability to speak eloquently and with style. Many of us felt like Bill was a true intellectual. But now that we see Obama at work, all suddenly we view Bill in a different light.  It appears as if Obama’s charisma overshadows any appreciation we developed for bill.

Of course, there is enough room to appreciate both Bill and Obama for their talent, but I truly believe that members of the black race seem to explore the mind at a deeper level when it comes to expressing the emotion of the mind and the soul. One of the many reasons this is true is because of our experience as black people. For centuries we have been dragged through the dirt. However, what many people overlook is that our inhuman experience has taught us the depth and height of life itself. Thus, when we express ourselves, we seem to encapsulate life at its worst and best.

Despite our deep appreciation and respect for Obama, we have to admit that there are many “Obamas” in every corner of our communities. Those of us who visit black churches or black events are very familiar with great speakers with unusual intellect. Obama’s former pastor, for instance, is an intellectual giant. What makes Obama unique are twofold: one is that he has demonstrated the kind of intellect that has not been seen in American politics for centuries, and second he possesses a rare ability to speak the language of various peoples simultaneously. It is as if he speaks in tongues.  That’s rare.

What I would like to convey through this article is that the likes of Obama are everywhere in the black community, and it has always been that way. Black people are decedents of minds who built pyramids with symmetrical accuracy while most the world was asleep.  Our ancestors built government ruled by pharaohs for centuries. It is even likely that the entire Jewish nation evolved from black Africans who many anthropologists and archeologists believe to have been the original Hebrews. In fact, many Jewish scholars believe that the Ark of the Covenant is somewhere in Ethiopia. This is to say that Obama’s ability to capture the world’s attention with his charisma is an afrocentric reality.

One of the reasons it appears as if Obama is a rare black man it is because many black men have lost their sense of afrocentricity, and have downplayed it for so many years. They have robbed themselves of their intrinsic ability to be great. Of course, the poignant years of slavery and social disenfranchisement have a lot to do with who they have become. They’ve been beaten down for so long that their afrocentrity appears to be an illusion rather than an ethnic reality. Consequently, many of our people have forgotten who they are, where they come from and what they can offer to the world.

We celebrate Obama with our soul because his presidency shows the world a side of black people that has been downplayed for so many years. He demonstrates to the world that, under the shadow of intense social and ethnic suppression, black people are remarkably intelligent.

Last update: 24-01-2009 22:38