"The Race": A New TV Drama Globally Broadcasted

For the last few weeks I have been glued to my computer screen reading the latest New York Times articles about the current presidential campaigns while watching speeches and debates on CNN.com. It is of no surprise that I, a young American, would be so concerned and interested in the follow-up to what seems to be the most significant election of my lifetime thus far. Living abroad with Bush as my president has certainly been no walk in the park. I am proud to be American but am ashamed by the actions of our current leader, and more ashamed that he has been democratically elected by my fellow countrymen (its easier to lay compete blame on tyrants and communist leaders). We need change, leadership that will diminish this awful “American shame” that plagues us abroad, a leader that will help America become the largest exporter of hope and optimism once again, a leader that the world can respect. This election will unquestionably be a turning point in our history and the worlds.

At first, I felt disappointed in the notion that I was going to miss all of the action and the juicy political discourse that runs rampant in America during such election years. However, I am finding that the coverage of this primary season is being reported and discussed worldwide, and many are listening in as intently as I am. It is almost as if everyone has something at stake.

This latest landslide by Obama in South Carolina has become a major headline in China. My students are interested in figuring out whether I am a Hillary supporter or Obama supporter (being Republican doesn’t make much sense to them – and I don’t blame them). During a lesson this morning I spent an hour talking about race in America and how although it plays a role in the decisions of many voters, it should be somewhat of a non-issue on the campaign trail – it just happens that the best man with the best vision to lead our country into the 21st century happens to be a black man.

I had a few beers with a group of Kenyan government employees last weekend. Of course they were dreadfully concerned about their own country and the political violence that has recently erupted there while they have been on business (they “don’t subscribe to any violent behavior” nor do they vocally support a side, but rather hope for stability). But, they also can’t help but follow the campaigns in America. They are all rooting for Obama, mainly because his father comes from Kenya, but said that they would be happy with anyone but Bush. They also said they would consider Hillary, except that she scared a few of them.

We talked about Kenya’s corrupt politics and America’s corrupt president for hours but the most captivating thing I learned that night was Kenyan’s preferences to classic rock over faster music like hip-hop – “like Bon Jovi, he's the best” one muttered.