The Meaning Of The American Dream To The Young Leaders

OBAMA’S AMERICAN DREAM – What does it mean to the leaders of tomorrow?

“I have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream that one day this nation will rise up to live out the true meaning of its creed – that all men are created special. I have a dream that one day sons of former slaves and sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by content of character. I have a dream today that little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream”.

4^th November, 2008 goes in to history books with the famous American dream of Martin Luther King being fulfilled. Unfortunately many patriots who would have loved to witness this day had left the world including Barack Obama’s Grandmother. It was echoed loud and clear on this historical day to the whole world that, Senator Barack Obama, had been elected as the 44^th President of USA bringing an end to the 242 year leadership in America without a Black President. “If there is anyone out there that still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,”

Over and over, Barack Obama told voters if they stuck with him "we will change this country and change the world." They did, and now their expectations for him to deliver are firmly planted on his shoulders. Many supporters greeted his victory with euphoria. Impatient for a new American era and overcome by a black man's historic ascension to the White House, they took his achievement for their own — weeping, dancing in the streets, blaring happy horns.

His election as President brought an end to the most expensive and drama packed US Election of all time. But campaign rhetoric soon collides with the gritty duties of governing, and hard realities that stand in Obama's way. . He acknowledged, “The road ahead is going to be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.”

On top of Obama’s challenge list is the global and domestic turmoil that he inherits. None of it is his own making, but it will shape his presidency before he lifts one finger. The worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Two wars in unstable, hostile lands. The war in Iraq has come with a lot of criticism from the whole world and the world is looking forward to his promise to end the Iraq war and address harsh terrorist interrogation practices. The war in Afghanistan still lingers on and the question to ask ourselves is; will Obama go for an aggressive foreign policy like his predecessor George Bush? Other foreign hot spots such as Pakistan and Congo, nuclear standoffs with North Korea and Iran.

With the increasing green house emission all over the world, we are looking forward to the strategies he will put up to reduce global warming with the US being one of the highest polluters of the world. The one million dollar question is; what lessons are there for us to learn from these elections?

The just concluded US Elections have had a lot of lessons for us the upcoming leaders. First of all, Obama’s confidence in his strength to become president has acted as an inspiration to many of us to always go forward to fight for our dreams. It has been a boost that whatever we have to do, we should do it not doubting our potential but destined to get success at the end of the road. His massive win should act as a motivating factor that despite the challenges we might have to face if we keep aiming at our goal, we can come out as victors.

For the emerging women leaders, Sarah Palin showed a lot of confidence in coming out to portray the burgeoning which is rarely seen in ladies. It is not surprising the today we believe at a certain time USA will be led by a Woman President. It has already happened in countries like India and German which has a lady Vice-Chancellor. These ladies should act as a motivation to our female friend to rise up and make their voices heard because they can make a huge difference to this world with their motherly touch.

Obama won with a massive majority of the “white” population electing him into office. For the first time in 242 years, US will be led by an African American. This is a sign that the world is strongly against the traits of racism. We have seen poor images of people with a dusky skin being looked at in a funny way in different countries, even in India. This election has shown the world that all men are equal and have a lot of potential to change the outlook of the world.

It is the second time that a senator is taking up the post of President after John F. Kennedy in USA; this is because Obama thought beyond the limits. To many it looked like a joke when he declared its candidacy. It’s a great challenge to us because it has shown that if we think big, we have the potential of achieving the dreams or targets we have set for ourselves. Obama dreamt, though beyond limits and achieved, what are you waiting for?

The massive response of the Americans to the urgently needed change was witnessed. Change is a fact of life; usually we are scared of change and keep looking at the closed doors of happiness. However this election has made us realize that we need to be responsive to the up-coming changes. The world is transforming each and every second and it is those who are willing to accept these changes that will be able to achieve the highest.

Obama showed a lot of enigma, he showed himself to have a detached, cerebral decision-making style that can sometimes seems out of sync with his natural charisma. He also showed himself to be a highly disciplined, CEO-style manager. The leak-proof, tightly managed and orderly Obama operation mimics the Bush White House, and flows from "No Drama Obama" himself — a man so focused that he didn't give himself a day off from working out, even the morning after winning the presidency. That is called leadership.