"The way Obama has scooped victories
in state after state is amazing,” remarked Momodou Joof, Director
General for the National Center for Arts and Culture in Banjul, The
Gambia’s capitol city. However, not all Gambians identify with
Obama’s victories. “I want to see a woman who will mother the
American nation,” proclaimed University of the Gambia Professor Fodeh
Baldeh.
However, the West Africans we spoke with are mainly looking for an
Obama victory, but all do not identify with Obama just because of
his African ancestry. “I do not see him as a Black man. I see him
as a liberator of the people,” commented Barbacour Cessay, a journalist
for the Gambia-based pan-African Foroyaa newspaper. (Foroyaa
means freedom in Mandinka, the dominate ethnic group in The Gambia.)
“If Obama wins maybe Blacks will have more freedom and opportunities,”
added Nyato Nursery school headmistress Elizabeth Sanko. Up the
Gambia River in Juffreh, Kunte Kinte’s hometown, Bakery Ngie was more
confident. The Kinte relative added, “If Barack Obama wins,
Blacks will gain more freedom.”
Even European and American visitors in The Gambia thought Obama’s
victory will signal that America is ready to play a more positive role
in world affairs. “You beat people just because you have a big
stick,” commented Mageng Hassel-Flugh of Denmark at Port of Harlem’s Meet and Greet at
Timbooktu Bookstore in the somewhat swanky suburb of Bakau-New
Town. Obama, he continued, “is a young man and has nice ideas.”
Peace Corp volunteer Dan Socha added that an Obama victory would mean
that the U.S. would have more interest in African affairs. The
East Providence, RI native admitted that he did not vote in the primary
but thinks “Obama would be good for
Africa.” Continued Joof, who is busy planning Banjul’s annual
International Roots Festival, “It can change America’s relationship
with the rest of the world.”
Next
Stops:
Sa. March 8 - The State of Wyoming - A caucus state (an election method
where he has done well) 1% Black
Tu. March 11- The State of Mississippi - A traditional primary
state - 37% Black - the state with the highest percentage of Blacks
