Milestone in Mankind　“YES,WE CAN”

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Gaspary Migwi Kiruthu

Humankind welcomed the hottest news in our lifetime.

Celebration, anxiety, joy, cheers, happiness, tears welcome the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of USA.

Automatically, becoming the most powerful man in the universe. Why all those excitements and news bearing in mind that America elects new president every 4 years? Who is this guy? Why is the would so excited?

Barack Obama is not like any typical American president ever elected. As his name means in Swahili, he is a blessing. A son of a Kenyan father and American mother in a moment changed the concept of the world.  A black man born with a Muslim middle name Hussein brought up by grand parents educated through scholarships and finally elected president of USA.

 A brilliant, intelligent, informed and the best orator I have ever seen. He changed the perception and minds of young and old now and generations to come. This accomplishment will remain in history for years and decades to come.  Many years from now people will be asking and remembering where they are when they first heard the news.

It should be remembered that under just one and a half century ago, black people like Obama in USA and elsewhere were slaves. Slavery is the darkest moment in history of humanities. People belonged, treated and traded like property. Human beings were lower than wild animals.  Example is you could have gone to the market buy a human being, separate them from their children family and all acquaintances. Then  you have all the right over them including killing.

Just 40 years ago blacks in USA and elsewhere had no civil right. Meaning no vote, marrying beyond your color, attended good schools, hospitals, work, live where you want, legal. In short free slaves.

This is where election of Barack Obama is so special than any we have ever or we will ever witness in our lifetime. While delivering his victory speech tears of joy were flowing when you try to remember the history and significant of that special moment.

 But his victory is not only to black people living in America and elsewhere.

 It’s a victory to us all. It’s a victory to that Japanese child that have the talent or ambition of becoming prime minister one day.  It has broken the bearings that you don’t have to come from a political family or rich influential backgrounds. But, with determination, hard work and focusing on achieving their dreams, they can be.

It’s a victory to that single Japanese mother whose talented children want to become leading lawyers or doctors. She has hope that they will overcome all barriers and she will be working hard motivated that her children will be what they dream to be.

 It’s a victory to that orphans in the orphanage neglected by parents.  They have hope that they will become company presidents if that is their desires.

 It’s a victory to that hopeless man who is about to commit suicide. He will have an encouragement that it’s not what others judge you but how you focus on your goals and working to accomplish them. He is encouraged and determined to seeing a beautiful tomorrow. Positive and optimist that he can overcome all the hardships and turning disadvantages to advantages.

A victory to that stressed company employee who has lost hope and trust in himself. He will know that he can accomplish all by utilizing their talents while planning for the future.

It’s a victory to us all when facing difficulties challenge. Those of us who dream of a better future. Those of us worried about our children, friends and family. We have learned that through hard worked, ambitious trusting our abilities, believing in our talents and working towards our dreams that we can overcome all the barriers and accomplish whatever we decided. In that if president Obama can overcome all those barrier which were more difficult than what any of us can think. We as well can overcome. Why should we not?

 To me personally, it’s a special victory. Being a Kenyan and therefore sharing the same common ancestral roots, I feel I blessed to witnessing this in my lifetime. In that it has motivated many disadvantaged people in the world more than any teacher can teach or preacher can preach.

Moreover, it’s motivation to my biracial children who will know the limit of their success is their abilities. That they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their characters. I will be reminding them if Obama can overcome despite challenged backgrounds, why can’t they exploit their talents and succeed in their career.

Basically it’s a motivation to us all that despite the challenges we encounter. We can accomplish our dreams. We can change the world for better. We can help to influence policies from the government. We can help the challenged and support the unfortunate members in our society. We can support and motivate them not only financially, but morally through community uplifting efforts and other activities according to our abilities. In that changing the life of only one, we have brought a significant change in the world which we should feel proud of. It is our obligations.

Personally, I am more motivated than ever. I am willing to go an extra mile to help change Africa and Kenyain particular. There is no reason children should die of starvation, women should die of preventable diseases or men dying in resource wars they hardly understand. There is talent, and abundant resources which should be used to uplifting the livelihood of our people.  I am determined to help to bring change and hope to all. And “yes we can”

The writer is a philanthropist community activist involved in activities in Kenyaaimed to bring desired change and serve society through honest leadership.