Book review: Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama
:: Jul 2, 07:55 AM

Confession: until I read Dreams from my Father, I was mourning the loss of the potential of a woman becoming the next president of America.

I had read Living History by Clinton four years ago and felt connected to her – but knew that since her post as First Lady, her positions had dramatically shifted. Still, as a woman, I was proud of the fact that America had accepted her to go as far as she did. Women and girls can now plan, not just dream.

Present reality: the mourning has been replaced by an incredible surge of pride and hope.

Barack Obama’s book Dreams from my Father is a treasure that I hope some people read. Of course, I would love for the whole country to read and accept it. But, I have a feeling that if everyone who was planning on voting for him now were to read this book, they might run in the other direction. Cussing, cigarettes, drinking, inhaling, are nothing new in politics, but writing about it in Holden Caulfield honesty is new. Obama reveals it all.

But forget such trivialities as the above, what really moved me (and what might set people running in the other direction) was just how much Obama questions his identity as an American. With a rich international, multi-racial, multi-lingual background, Obama grapples with what it is to be American, what it is to be African, what it is to be a human. I have only seen a handful of speeches by him, and I hear from everyone how phenomenal his speaking is. I am sure this gift for speaking has been borne by his exceptional ability to observe and listen. This is perhaps what I find most hopeful about Obama. This book that he wrote 13 years ago so closely correlates to our lives today – and tomorrow. It’s not about the trendy political topic of the moment, it’s about reflection and finding what’s best for ourselves and our families. It’s about the search of why things happen, not about a race to the store to see who can buy a band-aid first.

There’s been all this bullshit talk about “likability” during this campaign. Candidates adjusting themselves to be humorous or “the kind of guy/gal you’d want to have a drink with.” So premeditated, so staged. Indeed, I am afraid that Obama may become staged, out of necessity to take on the role that will come to him.

But he has not staged his past. That’s a wonderful start.

1. i have to admit that i don’t know so much about Barack so i won’t make any judgement calls on him- although he totally blew Hillary out of the water in the final Democratic Debate- it’s all on youtube if you want to watch.

   but i will say that i LOVE MICHELLE!!! she is a true inspiration for women in the US i think (although i’m sure she’s equally scary as hell). she is brilliant, passionate, funny, persuasive but not manipulative (yet…), snarky, and is not afraid to speak her mind.

   i like that when she’s on fire (calling people out, making inappropriate comments), he mellows out, and vice versa- it’s a clever ploy to constantly keep America on its toes.

   — kayoko    Jul 2, 21:36   

2. I had read the article you sent me about Michelle Obama which appeared in the NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/us/politics/18michelle.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

   It corresponded to the stories Barack Obama tells of her in his books. I am just waiting for her to write a book as well. Give us more Michelle!

   — yoko    Jul 2, 21:49   

3. just read this on the train- very topical:
   http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/opinion/02dowd.html?ref=opinion

   love me some Maureen in the mornings. she’s another one that keeps me on my toes!

   — kayoko    Jul 2, 23:24   

4. also just reading this, which troubles me.
   http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/2/obama_pledges_to_expand_bush_program

   not sure how i feel about Obama’s religious fervor. seperate church and state, people!!! although perhaps he’s so aggressive on the Christian front because he needs people to see him as something other than “muslim”.

   er, very complicated.

   — kayoko    Jul 3, 00:28   

5. Barack was my third choice after Kucinich and Edwards, but what a third choice he has turned out to be. He has the ability to make me think of the bigger picture, get me out of my far left pigeon hole. I hope he can do the same to those one the right – he seems to be reaching those just right of center. He is definitely an awesome speaker. Most of all, he has been much more honest than the average pol when it comes to difficult issues. Haven’t read “Dreams from my Father”, but I did read his second book – it has a much more mellow tone, almost sort of a road trip across the Midwest.

   Kayoko, I think these days you have to wear Christianity way out on your sleeve to stand any chance of winning in this country – more’s the pity.

   Go Barack!!

   Confession – I was very anti Hill, not because she was a woman, but because of how she moved so far to the right on her policies and votes since the early days as First Lady (really liked her when she fought for Universal Health Care). Plus, she not only voted for the war, but she didn’t even read the intelligence finding report before voting for it.

   She has paved the way for the next woman – I hope it is someone I can support. Too bad Angela Davis is way past her prime. Maybe Michelle – love her ‘tude!

   — lakshman    Jul 3, 06:05   

6. Yes, I definitely agree with you, Lakshman, about Barack’s ability to see the big picture. Really, he is just telling it like it is – how he observes it, and how to apply some sense. The simple “concept” of returning to common sense is just what we need. What took us so long?

   In response to Obama supporting federal funding to religious groups, I am some what concerned. But knowing Obama’s past work as an organizer (where although at the time he was not religious, he would work with lots of inner city churches, because that’s where he was able to connect and mobilize with people most effectively) this is not a surprise to me. This makes sense regarding his past and I understand his logic given what he shares with us in his book.

   — yoko    Jul 3, 11:59