“Our Son Obama” by Philister Adhiambo Madiega, Article Review Example

Introduction

The author discusses the dream, hopes and disappointments of people of western Kenya using various artistic aspects such as visual aspects. Other than illustrating the fondness these people have for Obama the US president, it also shows the paradoxes, ironies especially concerning politics, democracy, blood relations and ethnic identity. These four aspects are clearly illustrated by the activities the people of this region engage with as a way of identifying with their ‘Lou son’.

To illustrate the ironies and paradox of blood relations and ethnic identify the writer captures the activities talking place in the Obama’s parental home in Western Kenya. In this region the writer shows how a new Obama-mania slogan has developed due to the connection these people feel have with US president. This attachment is shown by the various stickers such as ‘let’s drive obamatic’ which according to the writer can be seen in most of the vehicles playing this region’s routes.

Another aspect that the author uses to show these paradox and ironies the Western Kenya’s peoples attachment with the elections and discussions that were held during the US last general elections. The resident of this region had all the details concerning the US elections. One is left wondering if they did this just because there was a candidate with their roots. To illustrate the irony and paradox of politics and democracy the author uses the mock elections that were held in Kisumu parallel to the November 6 US elections. During this election various issues developed which could be pointing to the democratic and politics paradox witnessed in this region.

The Mock elections were organized by Milton Obote and Lawrence Oyange. The long queues which were witnessed showed the blood ties these people felt they had with this particular presidential candidate. However, some of the developments to the mock elections point to another aspect the writer was trying to illustrate; democracy injustice. This was clearly illustrated according to the author by the several cases of vote rigging. At one point, a McCain supporter was thoroughly beaten for trying to vote twice by the mob. This case could not have arisen just because the people felt the man did not support one of their own, but could have been triggered by political loop holes witnessed in this region during 2007 Kenyan elections that were disputed.

The people according to the author showed their previous disappointments by taking on the particular man. Other than the various events the author uses to elaborate his points of the irony and paradox of various aspects such as blood relations and ethnic identity in this region the author also includes various visual aspects to emphasize on the same aspects. These visual aspects include the Obama’s painting by Joachim Onyango Ndalo which is displayed in Kogelo; Obama’s paternal home village. These image depicts the attachment these people feel have with the US president.

Some visual aspects that the author included to show the disappointments and dreams of these people is the picture of Barrack Obama school which the author clearly indicates that it has been marred by various controversies after the president dishonoring his pledge to support the school. Stories on how young Obama would visit the region and collect firewood sarcastically try to just why these people feel some much attached to the US president. These aspects were used to prove that Obama recognizes as a true Lou.

Other visual aspects that are used to sarcastically show the bond between these people and Obama are the Obama’s calendars and hats that were sold in the streets of Kisumu to show their support for the US president.

The article clearly points out some aspects that people from this region have been able to hold onto especially as a result of ethnicity and democratic injustice. The people of this region based on the political national culture expect Obama will be able to recognize them in terms of kinships and ethnicity. Their strong attachments also possess several challenges to the US people in this region who are well known for being racist.

Other than hoping that Obama will recognize the paternal home country, the author tries to show the rift between the various ethnic groups in this region. The ‘Lou’s’ expect to gain more benefits from Obama’s victory since they consider him ‘their son’.

The growing number of relatives who wanted to reignited as having Obama’s blood ties continued to increase. The people of this region were also moved by Obama’s victory and celebrated in relating it with ODM’s stolen victory; one of the political parties in the regions which felt elections was rigged. The Obama’s victory did not only have an ethnic identity in this region but also it had some political significance. It was used to heal wounds of Kenya’s disputed 2007 election with the people jokingly stating that since they don’t have a Lou Kenyan president at least they are relieved they have one in white house.

Conclusion

The events illustrated in this article generate self satire concerning the illuminations these people have concerning Obama. Journalists, politics have argued using realism to try neutralizing the disappointments of these people. The article also shows political and democratic paradox that covers this region. They had smeared to chase American’s if Obama didn’t win the November elections. The article using various aspects like visual aspects and research shows the inequality and injustice people in this region continue to experience.