2008 Woodie Awards
"I Will Follow Him": Obama As My Personal Jesus
Maggie Mertens
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Opinions
Obama is my homeboy. And I'm not saying that because he's black - I'm saying that in reference to those Urban Outfitters t-shirts from a couple years ago that said, "Jesus is my homeboy." Yes, I just said it. Obama is my Jesus.
While you may be overtly religious and find this to be idol-worshipping, or may be overtly politically correct and just know that everything in that sentence could be found offensive, I'm afraid it's true anyway.
As with many spiritual enlightenments, mine came in the middle of a bleak, hopeless period of my life. The innocent, idealistic world of politics that had shaped my childhood, the one that taught me how the president is a good guy, one who makes you feel safe, gives a speech on TV every once in a while and one you'd feel honored to shake hands with, had been slowly whittled into a deep rooted cynicism to anything politically related.
The crush of the Bush victory over Gore was only the first mar on my previously consummate ideal of the American administration. And the tragedies just kept continuing: Bush's response to the Sept.11 attacks, the invasion of Iraq, the tax cuts for the rich, the downward spiral continued squashing my scant hope that the political world and state of our country could be saved.
Then I found my miracle. Stumbling through my hopeless world, afraid to turn to anyone with my political questions of morality, my concerns about the afterlife of the country I called home, a voice spoke to me.
Barack Obama bore to me his testimony in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention, a testimony that included believing in concepts as simple and wholesome as the Constitution; a belief the current administration had done away with entirely. I was 17 and my antipathy for politicians was already in place before I had even reached the age to legally vote for one. He, though, seemed different. I was intrigued. I would follow him. I believed however, that my discipleship would lead me on a much longer path to political change than was true. He was much too young, not white enough, not rich enough, not jaded - the country certainly wasn't ready for this, maybe in 12 or 16 years he would be able to run in the Democratic primary, I thought.
While you may be overtly religious and find this to be idol-worshipping, or may be overtly politically correct and just know that everything in that sentence could be found offensive, I'm afraid it's true anyway.
As with many spiritual enlightenments, mine came in the middle of a bleak, hopeless period of my life. The innocent, idealistic world of politics that had shaped my childhood, the one that taught me how the president is a good guy, one who makes you feel safe, gives a speech on TV every once in a while and one you'd feel honored to shake hands with, had been slowly whittled into a deep rooted cynicism to anything politically related.
The crush of the Bush victory over Gore was only the first mar on my previously consummate ideal of the American administration. And the tragedies just kept continuing: Bush's response to the Sept.11 attacks, the invasion of Iraq, the tax cuts for the rich, the downward spiral continued squashing my scant hope that the political world and state of our country could be saved.
Then I found my miracle. Stumbling through my hopeless world, afraid to turn to anyone with my political questions of morality, my concerns about the afterlife of the country I called home, a voice spoke to me.
Barack Obama bore to me his testimony in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention, a testimony that included believing in concepts as simple and wholesome as the Constitution; a belief the current administration had done away with entirely. I was 17 and my antipathy for politicians was already in place before I had even reached the age to legally vote for one. He, though, seemed different. I was intrigued. I would follow him. I believed however, that my discipleship would lead me on a much longer path to political change than was true. He was much too young, not white enough, not rich enough, not jaded - the country certainly wasn't ready for this, maybe in 12 or 16 years he would be able to run in the Democratic primary, I thought.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 297
Peggy March
posted 9/22/08 @ 1:44 PM EST
As the very fortunate performer who had a monster hit with I WILL FOLLOW HIM I can only hope FOR ALL OF US that BARACK OBAMA HAS THE SAME SUCCESS.
P. Ingemi
posted 10/01/08 @ 9:58 AM EST
I am very much hoping that this piece is satire.
The sad thing is if it isn't I wouldn't be surprised.
CS
posted 10/01/08 @ 10:10 AM EST
Wait, this is satire, right?
TRO
posted 10/01/08 @ 10:17 AM EST
It's very telling that people have to ask if this is satire, don't you think?
John
posted 10/01/08 @ 10:30 AM EST
This is satire, right? Sadly I can't tell
Janet
posted 10/01/08 @ 10:46 AM EST
Um...whoa. I hope this is a parody. If it is, brilliant. If it isn't, I just don't know what to say except that your conception of the appropriate place of government and politicians in our lives appears to have reverted 2000+ years. (Continued…)
David
posted 10/01/08 @ 10:55 AM EST
Didnt people say the same thing about Charles Manson?
Scott
posted 10/01/08 @ 11:32 AM EST
I'm really hoping this is satire, but with people seriously declaring that Obama will heal our souls, magazines showing Obama with a saintly halo around him, and little children singing paeans to him straight out of a Hitler Youth rally, I just can't be sure. (Continued…)
mntx
posted 10/01/08 @ 11:46 AM EST
Everyone chant after me-
Obama mani padme hummmmm....
This cult of personality thing is getting pretty sick.
Kevin
posted 10/01/08 @ 11:58 AM EST
We are all born the same. Some grow up to be mature, thinking human beings and others seem to be stuck on stupid.
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