Over the past week, I read “Dreams from My Father” by Barack Obama our presidential candidate with much interest. It has been a while since I read that kind of a book. The one that makes you feel. One that makes you feel like there is sense in the chaos that is the political landscape. One that makes you feel someone cares. About the people. About the country.
Beyond being a book written by a person that could well go on to be the next President, I enjoyed the book for what it was. A young man’s search for himself in a world that is neither black nor white. A world of which I have little idea about. Some of the passages in the book brought tears to my eyes. I saw myself in the woman at the bus shelter clutching her purse a little tightly when a black person passed by. I felt so ashamed of my stereotypical views.
I saw myself in the anguished young Obama feeling the sense of being alone in an alien world. Being a colored myself, I saw things with the eyes of one that understood the pain. Yet, the world portrayed in his memoir is one I cannot connect myself with.
The next time an Obama ad came on TV I felt like I know this person. I know where he comes from. I know his heritage. If I were an American, I would be proud to vote for him.
August 12, 2008 at 7:47 pm
@Bavani: Absolutely! I’ve begun to really believe he can bring about change.
@Mitr: Please do! It is definitely a book worth reading. Specially for those who have been following Obama’s campaign.
August 11, 2008 at 11:45 am
Laksh-
Thanks for posting about this book, I have been wanting to read more about Obama’s background etc. given how I too like may others have been taken in by his personality and effective speeches. This will be my next library pick-up, if its available.
August 11, 2008 at 10:48 am
I know what you mean Laksh – I read this book back in Jan/Feb this year. That was the time I was mentally beginning to support Obama’s efforts – and I wanted to know a little more about his background to know about “the man” before beginning to help in my small way with his campaign. And yes, even without political thoughts in mind, one can enjoy the book.