by Simon
Barack Obama and Hubert Ingraham share more than a birthday. Both were raised by their maternal grandmothers, rising to prominence despite a lack of social and economic privilege. While Mr. Ingraham experienced greater economic poverty, both leaders had hard mountains to climb personally and politically.
Their personal stories and political journeys have made them respectively extraordinary examples of the Bahamian and the American dream. Both chose the law as their profession and politics as their vocation. Both first came to office propelled by that perennial theme in politics, the mantra of change.
Through dint of will and with keen intelligence they have crafted audacious life stories. The title of Mr. Obama’s autobiographical “The Audacity of Hope” is a variation on the theme of Mr. Ingraham’s biography which might be entitled, “The Audacity of Determination”.
The themes of hope and determination speak to similar threads running through their personal cum political careers, especially their triumph over disadvantage to empower themselves and others to more fully realize the dreams and privileges of American and Bahamian citizenship. The threads include how their personal narratives influenced their visions and policies.
STRUGGLE
President Obama spoke of how his mother’s death from cancer and the struggle to pay her medical bills influenced his pursuit of universal health coverage. In his crime address in October Prime Minister Ingraham wove together his personal journey and public life in a compelling Bahamian story.
“I grew up in what was then a remote part of Abaco called Cooper’s Town. I came up at a time when there were few opportunities for a poor boy like me born to a single parent. The first time I met my father was when I was 11 years old.
“Even though I didn’t possess material wealth, I had wealth more everlasting: Mama, who instilled in me a sense of my own worth as belonging to her and as a child of God.
“She schooled me in the knowledge that the land of my birth, The Bahamas we all love, is a land of opportunity for anyone willing to work hard.
“As a boy, never in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine becoming an attorney, Member of Parliament or minister of government let alone prime minister. But having been given this great privilege I have dedicated my public life to providing every Bahamian boy and girl with opportunities I never had.”
He then linked his biography to the values which propel his vision of a modern Bahamas:
“This is why I have never stopped working to make sure that every Bahamian child on every island in every settlement in The Bahamas has decent schools and access to higher education. This is why my Government ensures that everyone meeting a certain criteria and academic standards can attend the College of The Bahamas at public expense.”
Media critic Marshall McLuhan’s signature observation, ‘the medium is the message” has a corollary in terms of political biographies.
The values and visions expressed by President Obama and Prime Minister Ingraham emanate from compelling biographies in which they themselves are the mediums for the messages of hope and determination, and the triumph over the circumstances of birth to realize one’s abilities and ambitions as examples of respectively American and Bahamian success stories.
Perry Christie and likely US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney have impressive resumes. Still, their biographies are no match for that of Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Obama. Both Messrs. Christie and Romney grew up with considerably more privilege than the US President and the Bahamian prime minister who have come much further considering their life origins.
Absent early material advantage, hope and determination are usually even that much more essential in building character and fortifying one’s resilience in the face of adversity.
A less advantaged child growing up in a rural town in the southern United States
or a remote settlement in the southern Bahamas or the urban poverty of an American city or New Providence can more easily identify with the journeys of Barack Obama and Hubert Ingraham.
EMPATHIZED
The silver-spooned Franklin Delano Roosevelt who led America through the Great Depression and World War II deeply empathized with his countrymen’s needs during these crises despite his privileged background.
He is said to have lifted up America after lifting himself up after battling through the physically and potentially psychologically crippling disease of polio which left him wheelchair-bound throughout his presidency. FDR did not have to feign empathy for those ravaged by war or economic catastrophe. The manner in which polio ravaged his body produced in him an extraordinary empathy.
Likewise Hubert Ingraham did not have to feign empathy or compassion for poor Bahamians throughout his public career or today for those affected by the worst economic crises to hit The Bahamas since the Great Depression.
In the times in which they are leading Barack Obama and Hubert Ingraham have no less a vision than did FDR in his time. What Roosevelt possessed was the ability to constantly remind America of a broader narrative of what was at stake and where he wanted to take America.
President Obama has noted that in the midst of economic crises and other challenges of governance, that he often forgot to remind the American people of a broader narrative and his vision for America amidst relentless attacks and sometimes demonization by political opponents, especially those discredited by their past record and paucity of sensible ideas to meet current challenges.
Prime Minister Ingraham probably empathizes with Mr. Obama as both face re-election in 2012. Still, despite potentially tough electoral contests amidst tough economic times they have compelling biographies and impressive records for what will be Mr. Obama’s last campaign for the presidency and, in all likelihood, Mr. Ingraham’s final campaign to lead The Bahamas.
STRUGGLE
President Obama spoke of how his mother’s death from cancer and the struggle to pay her medical bills influenced his pursuit of universal health coverage. In his crime address in October Prime Minister Ingraham wove together his personal journey and public life in a compelling Bahamian story.
“I grew up in what was then a remote part of Abaco called Cooper’s Town. I came up at a time when there were few opportunities for a poor boy like me born to a single parent. The first time I met my father was when I was 11 years old.
“Even though I didn’t possess material wealth, I had wealth more everlasting: Mama, who instilled in me a sense of my own worth as belonging to her and as a child of God.
“She schooled me in the knowledge that the land of my birth, The Bahamas we all love, is a land of opportunity for anyone willing to work hard.
“As a boy, never in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine becoming an attorney, Member of Parliament or minister of government let alone prime minister. But having been given this great privilege I have dedicated my public life to providing every Bahamian boy and girl with opportunities I never had.”
He then linked his biography to the values which propel his vision of a modern Bahamas:
“This is why I have never stopped working to make sure that every Bahamian child on every island in every settlement in The Bahamas has decent schools and access to higher education. This is why my Government ensures that everyone meeting a certain criteria and academic standards can attend the College of The Bahamas at public expense.”
Media critic Marshall McLuhan’s signature observation, ‘the medium is the message” has a corollary in terms of political biographies.
The values and visions expressed by President Obama and Prime Minister Ingraham emanate from compelling biographies in which they themselves are the mediums for the messages of hope and determination, and the triumph over the circumstances of birth to realize one’s abilities and ambitions as examples of respectively American and Bahamian success stories.
Perry Christie and likely US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney have impressive resumes. Still, their biographies are no match for that of Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Obama. Both Messrs. Christie and Romney grew up with considerably more privilege than the US President and the Bahamian prime minister who have come much further considering their life origins.
Absent early material advantage, hope and determination are usually even that much more essential in building character and fortifying one’s resilience in the face of adversity.
A less advantaged child growing up in a rural town in the southern United States
or a remote settlement in the southern Bahamas or the urban poverty of an American city or New Providence can more easily identify with the journeys of Barack Obama and Hubert Ingraham.
EMPATHIZED
The silver-spooned Franklin Delano Roosevelt who led America through the Great Depression and World War II deeply empathized with his countrymen’s needs during these crises despite his privileged background.
He is said to have lifted up America after lifting himself up after battling through the physically and potentially psychologically crippling disease of polio which left him wheelchair-bound throughout his presidency. FDR did not have to feign empathy for those ravaged by war or economic catastrophe. The manner in which polio ravaged his body produced in him an extraordinary empathy.
Likewise Hubert Ingraham did not have to feign empathy or compassion for poor Bahamians throughout his public career or today for those affected by the worst economic crises to hit The Bahamas since the Great Depression.
In the times in which they are leading Barack Obama and Hubert Ingraham have no less a vision than did FDR in his time. What Roosevelt possessed was the ability to constantly remind America of a broader narrative of what was at stake and where he wanted to take America.
President Obama has noted that in the midst of economic crises and other challenges of governance, that he often forgot to remind the American people of a broader narrative and his vision for America amidst relentless attacks and sometimes demonization by political opponents, especially those discredited by their past record and paucity of sensible ideas to meet current challenges.
Prime Minister Ingraham probably empathizes with Mr. Obama as both face re-election in 2012. Still, despite potentially tough electoral contests amidst tough economic times they have compelling biographies and impressive records for what will be Mr. Obama’s last campaign for the presidency and, in all likelihood, Mr. Ingraham’s final campaign to lead The Bahamas.
Great article! I'm out of the country and I wasn't sure Prime Minister Ingraham was going to run for office in 2012. This great news.
Posted by: Ay' Bahamian | November 14, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Simon I share your sentiments above and lets us hope and pray that both Prime Minister Ingraham and President Obama will be re-elected. While both men are not perfect, they both have tremendous strength and character. They are able to lead with conviction as a result of their intestinal fortitude and they welcome ideas which are constructive from the Opposition. Both men realize that they are their own worse enemy and thus know that God has placed a special blessing on them and thus has also surrounded them with advisors who also have tremendous strength and character. May God continue to bless and guide these men with the task He has given them with respect to leading two Great Countries and their Exceptional Citizens. From my lips to God's Ears.
Posted by: Dr. Julius Theophilus | November 14, 2011 at 04:12 PM
The only question that really counts my friend are Americans and Bahamians better off today than they were when their respective leaders were elected to office?? By every meaningful statistical indicator the answer is an emphatic NO.. Debt, deficits and dollar decline leading to higher price inflation is choking both country's economies.. Every month both America and the Bahamas must borrow more and more money just to stay afloat.. Financial prudence is totally lacking as both countries are heading down the path to economic bankruptcy.. The international credit ratings of both countries had fallen as the current President and the Prime Minister drive their respective economies into decline.. Where it will end is anyone's guess, but you can be sure that in five years both country's citizens will not be as well off as they are today..
Posted by: Tradewinds | November 15, 2011 at 06:46 AM
To mention the Prime Minister and the American President in the same breath is a disservice to Mr. Ingraham. Mr.Obama is a fraud with no qualifications whatsoever for the office he currently holds.
Posted by: Larry Caulder | November 15, 2011 at 07:50 AM
Tradewinds, you are too harsh in some respects and not harsh enough in others. On the one hand the issues that face this country are not unique to The Bahamas and the downgrades are part of the current economic environment. On the other hand the last five years have exposed
Mr. Ingraham as a conventional politician with no real vision of Bahamian development other than new roads, higher electricity rates and the sell-off of vital public utilities; these are not the elements of a forward looking economic program. The coming years will separate the visionary from the pedantic and reveal our PM, and his closest rival, as little more than monkey see monkey do know nothings.
God help us then!
Posted by: Roderick Small | November 15, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Roderick, my comments were directed at Simon who tries to draw similarities and differences between the two political leaders of the United States and the Bahamas.. First, please understand that credit downgrades are a function of irresponsible deficit spending policies pursued by both of the elected governments of the United States and the Bahamas.. Both countries deliberately chose to pursue and implement such policies based on political objectives while ignoring prudent economic judgement.. Secondly, just because other countries pursue such faulty economic programs, it does not excuse the Bahamas from playing the greater fools game of follow the leader.. Today the United States is an economic basket case that has to beg China and other countries to finance its out-of-control financial deficits.. In the Bahamas, the government borrows monthly to pay its current account deficit.. When the Bahamian credit card runs dry, who will be our lender of last result to bail us out?? Certainly not the United States..
The real issue my friend is that today our country lacks as you say any visionary thinking when it comes to macro-economic thinking.. Unfortunately our three political party players are void of such prudence thinking and leadership when it comes to macro-economic decision-making.. Betting on a strong US economic recovery to revive Bahamian tourism is a bad bet as President Obama's recovery policies have been a total failure and will have little benefit in aiding our feeble recovery.. If my words seem empty then try reading the International Monetary Fund and World Bank country reports on the Bahamas.. The warnings are there but the government's responsive is lacking at best.. May God help the Bahamian people in this time of great uncertainty..
Posted by: Tradewinds | November 15, 2011 at 09:14 PM
Tradewinds your thread is indeed an interesting one which should be taken seriously however in my humble opinion, our leaders are facilitators of opportunities for the country and her citizens and in fairness to them, there is only so much control that they have despite their rhetoric. My Parents, God Bless and keep them always instilled a strong sense of responsibility in me and emphasized the fact that the Government can only facilitate so much. We as Citizens also play a role with respect to creating progress and opportunity within the confines of the structure of our country. Kudos to your point Tradewinds. Roderick your thread was constructive in my opinion minus the primate comparison. Our past and current leaders are to be commended for their attempts to make our wonderful country and her people better in all facets of life and while some of our leaders have performed better than others, what we need now are men and women who can bring constructive and creative thoughts to the table with respect to making our country a better and more progressive and not to mention safe place to live. Thank you for your threads Roderick and Tradewinds.
Posted by: Dr. Julius Theophilus | November 16, 2011 at 12:49 AM
Thank you Julius for your constructive commentary.. Nevertheless I wonder if our leaders, as you say, are "facilitators of opportunities" or just plain old political opportunists.. There actions always speak louder than their rhetoric.. Secondly you say that "the Government can only facilitate so much".. How true, but governments always seek to expand and facilitate more and greater control over the lives of their citizens.. Who gave government the right or authority to exercise such control in the first place?? Sadly in the Bahamas, a proud people have become more and more dependent on the government's public support programs.. This is leading to the potential financial destruction of our country..
Posted by: Tradewinds | November 20, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Tradewinds you make an exceptional point. I sincerely hope that all members of the political arena in the Bahamas and the United States reflect on the point you have so eloquently stated. Thank you.
Posted by: Dr. Julius Theophilus | November 21, 2011 at 08:00 PM