An American in Aguilas

I’m surprised. I’m surprised to be the first one to write about experiencing the U.S. presidential elections from abroad. I’m surprised that every news channel broadcasts coverage of our election as if it were the Spanish election. As we speak I’m watching “Estos no son las noticias,” a comedy show similar to Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show. In today’s episode the (white) host has painted her face black and put on an afro in the spirit of “black democracy”. I’m surprised at the lack of a taboo in Spain. I’m surprised at the lack of a taboo in Spain on certain personal questions, such as who I voted for (other favorites include how old I am and do I have a boyfriend). Hell, I’m honestly surprised that Obama won! I thought for sure they’d find a way to take the vote like they did in 2000.
Being in Spain during this historic election makes me feel a little left out. I see clips on the news here of street parties in DC and I wish I could share the joy with other UMD students (a shot for every electoral vote that goes to Obama? Maybe not…). When I told my French roommate that I cried a little this morning when I found out who won, he couldn’t help but laugh at me. I may be a little melodramatic, but I think any American can sympathize with the emotional moment we are experiencing as a nation. If Obama lives up to his promises this could mean the end of Sarah Palin’s favorite phrase, the Bush Doctrine; the end of the War in Iraq, a new interest in social welfare programs and the environment, and a stable economy and international relations. I can tell you first hand that the world accepts us again. Not to mention the obvious, that our first African-American president has generated more support and enthusiasm than any presidential candidate I’ve seen in my (short) life.
As I pass students in the hallways at school, they give me high fives, ask me how I’m feeling about the outcome of the election, and shout “Go Obama!” and “Claro que podemos!” They ask difficult questions too: “Will the KKK kill Obama?”, “Is there really racism in the USA? But aren’t they supposed to be the most advanced?”, “Why does anyone support McCain?” (given the overwhelming international support for Obama, they find it hard to understand that nearly half the USA actually doesn’t support him). How would you answer these questions? As a mini-ambassador to a few hundred Spanish high school students I do my best, but there are some things that you have to experience for yourself in order to fully understand (and even with a lifetime of living in the States many American phenomena escape me).
Despite my increasing fluency in Spanish, I still can’t completely translate American social and racial politics, so I keep it basic: I think Obama challenges racism in the U.S., but only time will tell how much influence he has. Since America is a diverse nation, it’s only natural that there are people who differently, and we try to respect their opinions, even if they believe that the rich should have higher tax cuts than the working class. Most of all I think that many Americans are optimistic that change will come, and that the United States will live up to it’s reputation as “advanced,” socially as well as technologically. Claro que podemos.