Recently in class, we have made comparisons between the two different modes of thought of modernism and postmodernism. We have seen physical examples of postmodernism (i.e. the Nike commercial) and have discussed it in-depth. However, postmodernism is much more than a dry concept of the past used to accompany the learning of Heart of Darkness. It is present in the living examples of daily life. I believe President Obama is a postmodern man.
In a postmodern era, nothing is sure because you can’t express or grasp the “whole.” There’s no sure career path, no sure relationship, and no sure bet. This era is about shades of gray on a daily basis. President Obama knows how to cross this grey zone with utmost skill and more importantly, persuades us all into following along while simultaneously easing our worries about it.
Biologically, Barack Obama is a postmodern man. From his family tree to his psychological makeup, Obama is an integration of multiple worlds and points of view. From his Kenyan father to his Kansas born mother, from his stay in Indonesia as a child to growing up in Hawaii, from his Muslim name to his Christian faith, and from his Ivy League education to his community service with the poor defines his current interaction with politics. President Obama unifies distant characteristics to form his character.
Along with that, Obama’s emphasis on the community rather than the individual illustrates his postmodern mind. His slogan is “Yes WE can!” as opposed to “Yes I can!” Obama states, “WE are the ones WE’ve been waiting for. WE are the change that WE seek.” For example, Obama’s belief on health care is that the government has the responsibility to provide it to ALL citizens. This is rooted in his sense of community. The community, not each individual, is charged with the care of each other, instead of the individual first.
Furthermore, the creative style Obama utilizes is far postmodern than the normal modernist actions used by past politicians. His use of technology allows him a fresh way of doing things in Washington. He utilizes Facebook, email, television commercials, community blogs, and much more to be an “innovative, creative solution seeker.” No one else is playing the “fresh and new ideas” like Obama is, or can.
In addition, Obama also has the mental and physical toughness to stand in chaos and come out of it a stronger man. When you look at Obama’s face when his truth is being questioned-instead of an evil eye or a smirk like you get from some other politicians- you get the sense that his whole being is absorbing the question.
Unlike modernism’s awareness of savagery and distrust, within Obama’s postmodern world are the two central themes of hope and faith. His hope radiates a sense of promise for the future and optimism even though events may seem to be going in the opposite direction. His faith allows him to believe in something for which there isn’t definitive proof. Hope and faith make change and political option possible in the face of uncertainty. Obama knows the secret blend of hope, faith, and politics. President Obama personifies the contradictions of a postmodern man. There’s substance behind the image, ideas behind the rhetoric, and a man behind the politician.
This relationship matters to me because it illustrates the true application of postmodernism and its benefits. This breaking away from the customary “modern” world of affairs is most likely what allowed Obama to win the election. Previously, I’ve mostly been in contact with a lot of negatives of postmodernism and especially Obama’s use of it. However, this connection helps me understand that postmodernism can be adapted to the current, developing society and used to encompass all these characteristics. We talked about how the film about President George Bush should have been based off postmodern principles rather than modernism. In this regard, it is crucial that we equate President Obama to postmodernism to truly understand his character and actions.
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Darrell, this is a cool post. I've never really thought of Obama as a postmodernist, but your realizations are pretty convincing. Also, the idea of physical postmodernism is interesting-- the background of a person may have a profound influence on who they are.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea to analyze our world leaders like this because we need to know where they're coming from. If we don't know anything about their background or philosophy, then we're just following them blindly. If I had to guess, I would say that many of the world's leaders are influenced by postmodernism.