“OBAMA’S CANDIDACY REVERSES ANTI-AMERICANISM AMONG IMMIGRANTS IN HOLLAND” FROM THEWORLDWANTSOBAMA.ORG

from theworldwantsobama.org
Is Obama already improving America’s image abroad?
After steady falls throughout George Bush’s term in office, global perspectives about America are growing (slightly) more positive. The annual attitudes poll commissioned by the BBC of over 17,000 people in 35 countries shows an improvement in US ratings in 11 countries and a fall in only 3. Overall 35% of people said the US had a positive influence in the world, compared with 31% a year ago; the percentage that discerned a negative influence fell from 52% from 47%. (full results)

“Analysts involved in the survey said a number of factors were at play. The US presidential primaries have showcased a less ideological, more approachable America and at the very least raised hopes of a more conciliatory approach to foreign policy once President Bush steps down.”The image of the US is already being influenced by the prospect of one of the candidates becoming president,” says Dr. Kull of PIPA. “All three talk more about multilateralism and cooperation; all express concern about the US image in the world; all express substantial concern about climate change and signal readiness to take action on that front.” (CSM)

While it is certainly true that all three candidates are viewed in a better light than Bush, the evidence gathered by The World Wants Obama Coalition (polls for example) show that Obama is by far the most popular candidate, and therefore can be given most of the credit for the improvement in the US’ image abroad. It will be interesting to see the results of the BBC attitudes poll next year if it happens a few months after President Obama’s inauguration. Our prediction is that such a poll would show a very large improvement in attitudes to the US.

Obama’s candidacy reverses anti-Americanism among immigrants in Holland
A powerful example of the way Senator Obama is changing international attitudes towards America comes from Reverend Axel, a German who ministers to a church in Amsterdam, Holland. He’s only visited the US as a child and has two American cousins, but his experiences of interfaith dialogue with Muslim immigrants in Amsterdam has given him a dramatic impression of Obama’s candidacy. When uncommitted Superdelegate Debra Kozikowski asked people to convince her which candidate to support with her vote, Axel explained:

“I live in a very multicultural neighborhood. Within 500m around the church I work in, there is a synagogue, a small Buddhist shrine, a Hindu temple and three mosques… more than 80 nationalities are represented in my district. The majority of the young people in my neighborhood are children of immigrants from Muslim countries: Morocco, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Egypt and a few others… Since 9/11, my neighborhood has seen quite a big share of Anti-Americanism: demonstrations, lots of graffiti, the burning of the American flag… my cousin Scott from Pennsylvania… got beaten up by a gang, because of his American accent. Other American friends of mine, who lived a couple of streets away, felt forced to move to another area of town which was safer for them. Shops selling US products closed down after their windows were thrown in several times. Even in my work, Anti-Americanism flared up: In an effort to reach out to the neighborhood and to bridge religious divides, my parish, in corporation with one of the more open mosques in the area started a group called ‘Dialogue’ in 2003 which every week attracts about 50 people from all backgrounds with at least 50% being Muslim. Regularly after big political events in the US (with Bush’s reelection having the worst effect) or in the Middle East, discussions in this group quickly turn fiercely political and often viciously Anti-American. I must confess, although some people were merely regurgitating talking points of radical propagandists, over the years, I could also feel genuine pain of feeling discriminated against. And although often, people wrongly expanded their anger towards the ignorance and intolerance of the Bush administration to all things American, I often could understand or even share their dislike of American politics.”

“In a nutshell, I support Barrack Obama because of what his candidacy has changed in the mindset of many of these ordinary Muslims in this inter-religious group which I moderate together with the local Imam. Shortly after Iowa, Obama was first mentioned by Mustafa, an elderly man, who emigrated here from Morocco and never before had said anything nearly positive about America. In fact, he quite shocked me, as he interrupted Bahaar, a young Muslim of Pakistani descent, who had just started a monologue about the devilish American culture and how he wanted to kill Bush, the crusader. Mustafa stood up and told him: “Well you better hurry up, then: Bush is gone by the end of this year, and you know, I think, the next President will be much, much better: He was against invading Iraq and has lived in Indonesia when he was young!” This totally changed the tone of the discussion that night and in fact, in all meetings of our group ‘Dialogue’ since then, we hardly have discussed anything else except Obama’s rise, his stance on foreign policy, his life story, what it says about American culture and what impact it may have on how the world sees America. I have to say, that personally, after moderating this group for five years now, I’m simply overwhelmed about the impact of Obama on ordinary Muslims! The last meetings were by far the most constructive and healing we have had so far. Lots of the participants are reviewing their prejudices against America or are now at least able to differentiate between American politics and Americans. The day before yesterday, at our last meeting, hot-headed Bahaar summed it up very well: “Well, I guess if Americans vote for someone like him… they can’t be all that bad!” For him, this is a radical turn of 180 degrees!!!”

“So you see, it’s amazing, what only Obama’s run has created over here: Lots of people in my neighborhood, who until now, simply believed what the propagandists told them about American politics, got active and looked up in-depth information about the US primaries and about Obama. Often also, he got covered on Al-Jazeera and other Arab TV networks and every time, I witness the effect in my neighborhood. Yesterday, I went out shopping and suddenly spotted a poster of the Obama–campaign in the window of my grocery-dealer, who immigrated to Holland from Iran. He told me that he saw him on television and got so excited that he downloaded the poster from the internet and put it up. He would love him to become president, because with him, “finally, someone will talk to the idiot running my country!” And get this: A couple of days ago, my 73 year-old neighbor Mohammed who came here from Egypt asked me to look up “on the computer”, how he can donate €5 to Obama’s campaign, because he would love an American president who understands ordinary people in Muslim countries. He was very disappointed when I told him that only US citizens can donate. He vowed, however, to pray for Obama later at the mosque!”

“As far as I’m concerned: I cannot underestimate, how much the election of Barrack Obama for next President of the USA would improve the perception of America by ordinary people around the world and especially by people living in developing and/or Muslim countries. And quite frankly, after two disastrous Bush-administrations, I can hardly wait!!! I sincerely hope, that this little story of mine can help you decide who to support on the convention of the Democratic Party!”

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6 comments:
Jacq said…
This is wonderful. I’m sending it to my friend for his birthday. Nothing could make him happier.

09 April 2008 04:59
lisaseviltwin said…
That was a beautiful post. It brought tears to my eyes.

I came over here from barackobama.com & the poster had this quote listed:
“Lots of people… who until now, simply believed what the propagandists told them about American politics, got active and looked up in-depth information about the US primaries and about Obama.. .”

That quote applies equally to many people here in the USA!

Even before he becomes president, Barack Obama is bringing people together. Thank God.

We’ll gladly accept the prayers of all of you out there. I think that’s a beautiful way to support this movement.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Love,
susan – USA

09 April 2008 07:01
myelinate said…
completely beautiful article. I truly believe all the prayers of people from all faiths are having a very positive effect on our political life here in the USA. Plz keep praying for Sen. Obama & all of us. BTW, what a great site you have here! I look forward to exploring it in the days to come! I followed a link from barackobama.com, I read stuff there everyday! Peace & love to the world!
I just thought of something! I would love to become penpals with one of the people from the group described, I’m sure a lot of Americans would. People all over the world have a lot more in common than different. We Americans are a better people than our current govt would suggest, which I’m sure is the case for just about every people on the planet!
Blessings and peace again, keep praying for each other!

09 April 2008 09:36
mskate said…
I just watched the “Yes, We Can” video on the French version of YouTube. It’s amazing how the world has caught the Obama fever!

09 April 2008 12:16
John Hay said…
Yes there is no doubt Barack’s appeal is worldwide. I invite readers to see my Barack profile
titled: “The Power of One” including the Akin video.
http://www.tellingthoughts.com/us-politics/the-power-of-one

It is delighting Obama supporters all over the world. Now a growing number of Obama people are using it to motivate and encourage volunteers in the campaign.

John Hay
Australia
Go Obama yes we can!

09 April 2008 12:45
ecg3817 said…
WOW!!!
I have always said that Barack Obama can change the world…but to hear that he is touching people all over the world right now is wonderful….People all over the world must come together…Barack Obama can make this happen….He can bring peace and understanding…so that we can start to fix some of our problems…

Please….people all over the world… pray for Barack Obama everyday…

We Love You….Yes We Can…

Barack Obama ’08

09 April 2008 15:41

Dates for Global Action
April 12: One Voice for Change rallies
Apr/May: Bridges for Obama photos

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