Oct 10 2009
Obama gets it
Pre-Ramble: Whether you’re for him or against him, one thing that most folks can pretty much agree on (except for Rush Limbaugh, who doesn’t agree with anyone on anything) is that the recent award of the Nobel Peace Prize to American President Barack Obama is a puzzlement. Before now, who would have ever thought that the response to such news would be such a resounding, “Huh?!”
“So soon? Too early. He hasn’t had the time to do anything yet.” — Lech Walensa, former Polish president, 1983 Nobel winner
“The real question Americans are asking is, “What has President Obama actually accomplished? It is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights.” — Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee
“A bold statement of international support for his vision.” — Former president Jimmy Carter, 2002 Nobel winner
“I join my fellow Americans in expressing pride in our president on this occasion.” — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., 2008 Republican presidential nominee
“Very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for the future.” — Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland
I have a hard time imagining that the president’s own reaction to the wake-up scenario was anything short of, “Are you kidding me!?” (or words to that effect). In fact, it took him several hours to craft a response to the honor which included this qualifying statement:
“Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations … I will accept this award as a call to action.”
How frustrating must that be? To be honored with one of, if not the most, prestigious awards in the world, and have to curb your enthusiasm in such a profound and carefully calculated way. I’m pretty sure there were no moments of unbridled jubilation, jumping up and down, or celebratory fist pumps … One gets the sense that everyone in the White House, including the president and first lady, were stunned into slack-jawed, take-a-moment-of-silence, disbelief. How quickly do you think the communications staff shifted into full spin mode? You can almost hear the shit hitting the wheel wells.
The Take-Away: To his credit, Barack Obama gets it. He gets that the Nobel Peace Prize is an extraordinary honor. And he gets that it is an honor conferred upon a group of outstanding and deserving individuals, often in recognition of an exemplary achievement or lifetime of service. Barack Obama gets that in this case, the Nobel award is a really tricky tribute (read: unfounded and premature). I also think that President Obama is honestly and audaciously hopeful that he can earn this rare distinction retrocatively over the course of his life’s work. For the time being, I would like to hope that the parting shot on this episode echoes the sentiment of Israeli President, Shimon Peres,
“Under [his] leadership, peace became a real and original agenda. And from Jerusalem, I am sure all the bells of engagement and understanding will ring again. [He] gave us a license to dream and act in a noble direction.”
Interesting. I’ve listened to various reactions about this, and I also appreciate Obama’s response of being undeserving. But personally, I LIKE that it’s not about accomplishment. It’s very valid for people to compare the fact that past recipients have made great accomplishments, and in our culture, accomplishments trump just about everything. But to me, there’s a level that intention is very valuable on, because it’s a huge shift in attitude from the way conflict has been handled throughout history. It’s a move from a win-lose mentality to a win-win mentality that is rarely seen on this global level. This is the kind of peace that I’m interested in. It’s not about victory, or “squashing” the “enemy” and taking a good/bad, right/wrong stance. In these scenarios, each side sees the other as wrong, or evil, or bad, and themselves as right, or benevolent, or good. And they just fight it out until power or brute force or “superiority” wins. I think it’s time we see ourselves as more than “Americans”, and see ourselves as world citizens. And instead of punishing dissent, why not learn to be a family where we seek to understand each other? We can still disagree, but I love the INTENTION of approaching conflict with a desire to understand, rather than conquer. It’s certainly not easy, and there are no guarantees. It’s more vulnerable and more scary. And as with any risk that has potential to succeed, there’s also potential to fail. I would much rather take the chance, than continue the legacy of “what’s always been done”. It takes huge commitment and courage to have this kind of intention, and I would like to see more focus in the media on what’s right about it. Of course, it’s understandable that the focus is where it is, since change and vision are always resisted. Change happens incrementally, with a few steps forward, and a few steps back. But to have the intention to move in a new direction is so worthwhile, and so needed–I don’t have a problem with rewarding it. It would be even better if the Nobel Peace Prize could go to everyone on earth, because we all share this intention.
Fascinating. Your response is even, solid, and felt true to what is really going on. I don’t get to read that often enough. I echo Deb (who I do not know but would like to) response. Intention is one if not the most important guiding principles. Obama’s ‘we are all in this together as we are all citizens of the world’ is a significant intention.
The view of American as US citizen is too small. We are world leaders and therefore are responsible for holding a larger vision of us and of our work.
Obama has not done much as many have said, only inputs, no measurable outcomes. But the impact on the world is something that we American’s don’t get. We don’t understand the audacity of hope and how those less off than us feel that Obama’s attitude is…..well, worth gold.
If he really “got it” he would have not accepted the award. He would have deferred to someone who actually accomplished something. The road to hell is paved with good “intentions”.