I read about this young potential candidate for the first time back in January 2007 on my way to the Rotterdam Film Festival. There was a newspaper lying around on the train and one page was dedicated to the race lying a year ahead and the possible runners. Besides the usual suspects with the same old policies and vantage points, there was critical praise of a young man of mixed origin, who grew up in Jakarta, Hawaii and seemed to be on the level of what was going on. So the first thing that went to my mind was the potential that finally somebody who was in touch with different age generations and cultures could end up in the White House. Not that this could be the first black president and all that, because what is really black and what is white? Why are Charlie Mingus, Colin Powell or Alicia Keys considered black, even though they had one white parent?

Racial prejudice I guess is all about context, because in another culture they might be considered white, or mixed or mulatto, or any of the terms coined in the history of intercontinental migrations. Maybe it’s because I’m from a very mixed background and country myself, but after a while the whole discussion in the media got very annoying to me. Of course ethnic background should not to be trivialised, but ability, leadership and understanding are what voters should be concentrating on. And I find it disappointing that so many still can’t look and really see behind the physical appearance of things.

Over the last year I’ve heard many people being sceptical, citing the same old “he’s inexperienced”, but the only thing I could retort: A president of the United States is not going to run the country on his own behind a web console. He’s the one to create teams, think tanks, hire the best people for the job. A captain, a leader who choose and motivate the right people for the right positions. Barack Obama has proven this in the extremely efficient way he battled in a number of campaigns already and managed to inspire people.

And so what, even if the job of president would be only a PR job, even then this man would qualify headfirst. He has convinced even hard core Republicans (e.g. Reagan’s former adviser) that he has the charisma, eloquence, aptitude and drive to do the job and internationally have a less belligerent image.

I only wished I had put £ 300 on Barack Obama with the London bookies in January 2007 when I read that paper and seriously felt a wind of hope and promise. The odds were all against him back then. For me that’s not a whim or easy hindsight opinion, as I’m extremely critical of contemporary politicians and people in leading positions who are simply not doing their job.

Let’s hope that voters do take the time to bring out their vote and make a progressive choice.

On 5 November when fireworks go off in England to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day, many will bring out a toast on Barack Obama. I definitely will.

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