Indian Country Today: In Obama, an exciting opportunity
© Indian Country Today, April 11, 2008
This presidential election season has generated considerable excitement around the nation. And there is a reason for it. It may well be the most important election of our lifetime. America faces grave challenges - a war, climate change, the economy, the lack of access to health care, to name a few - that cry out for solution. And, we also have a unique opportunity to change the direction of the country in a fundamental and transformative way.
Those of us in Indian country have a stake in the outcome of this presidential election at this critical time in the nation's politics. We have been following the campaign of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the past year with special interest and have been impressed that Native Americans have always figured prominently in his campaign of inclusion.
In his major speech on race, Sen. Obama included Native Americans once again in his call for unity to address the challenges of the new century. He said, ''This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time.''
Indian country certainly has a right to be skeptical about national politicians. We know from personal experience that all too often promises made on the campaign trail fade in the act of governance.
But we have come to believe that Sen. Obama offers a different kind of leadership and presents an opportunity for Native peoples that we have not seen before. He has shown that he appreciates the unique history and challenges of our communities. And he understands that we can only realize our common dreams if we are equal partners in the national dialogue.
(Continued here.)
This presidential election season has generated considerable excitement around the nation. And there is a reason for it. It may well be the most important election of our lifetime. America faces grave challenges - a war, climate change, the economy, the lack of access to health care, to name a few - that cry out for solution. And, we also have a unique opportunity to change the direction of the country in a fundamental and transformative way.
Those of us in Indian country have a stake in the outcome of this presidential election at this critical time in the nation's politics. We have been following the campaign of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the past year with special interest and have been impressed that Native Americans have always figured prominently in his campaign of inclusion.
In his major speech on race, Sen. Obama included Native Americans once again in his call for unity to address the challenges of the new century. He said, ''This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time.''
Indian country certainly has a right to be skeptical about national politicians. We know from personal experience that all too often promises made on the campaign trail fade in the act of governance.
But we have come to believe that Sen. Obama offers a different kind of leadership and presents an opportunity for Native peoples that we have not seen before. He has shown that he appreciates the unique history and challenges of our communities. And he understands that we can only realize our common dreams if we are equal partners in the national dialogue.
(Continued here.)
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