It’s that time again when Americans from all socio political backgrounds go to the voting stations to elect the person they believe will drive significant change in our country. But what many of us don’t necessarily realize is that the next American president has the chance to pave not only the future of the United States, but also the world.
Many American voters in this election are forgetting (or simply don’t know) that our President represents us not only at home, but in global forums. The President appoints ambassadors, who can create, build, and destroy geopolitical relationships. Having someone respectful, intelligent and poised is crucial if we expect to be taken seriously in trade deals, peace agreements, and other international negotiations.
I have experienced how Presidents can affect our reputations abroad. I first arrived in Cameroon during the Bush administration, where I was often made fun of as being a gun-toting, Iraq hating “Bush lover.” I was asked why we didn’t take to the streets when he “stole the election” during the
This worked in my favor arriving in Senegal in 2009, where I saw shops named after Barack Obama on streets and fabrics with his face from Mali, Tanzania and more. I received praise for being a citizen of the country that elected their first black president. In this
This past August, I was in Uganda, and a man asked where I am from. When I said America, he looked at me concerned. He asked, “Aren’t you afraid when you go home? You have too many guns, people are dying every day. Here in Uganda, we have peace. I hope your next President will help you.”
Africans, both on the continent and living in the US, are mainly concerned with the issue of immigration. While most people would agree there is a need for immigration reforms in the US, many forget to put Africa in the equation.
As my friends and colleagues in Africa await the election, they are also laughing at us with self-awareness and irony. The election has become out of control- petty campaigning, accusations of corruption and election rigging, and more. American media has a heyday when African countries have electoral issues, so Africans on Twitter have started their own hashtag, #Nov8AfricanEdition, to provide
Africans are following this election closely. Many nations,
While Africa has not come up in debates, we can speculate what each candidate’s victory would mean for the continent. Hilary has a more liberal approach to international cooperation, and she realizes the importance of Africa in terms of trade and natural resources.
Because of the interconnectedness of the world today, it is possible for everyone who is affected by this election to have their voices heard. My message to Africans- please keep sharing your opinions and use social media and the internet to spread your views on this election widely. It is important that we hear you. My message to Americans- this is our country. We hold the power to change the course of history, and we are lucky to have a voice in this crucial decision in world history. I urge everyone to think globally about this election, listen to our peers around the world and consider their opinions and realities in making our decision.
