President Barack Obama

[TheMercenary]

"Splitters......."

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by sweetwater

Exactly. I wish that nominees for at least a few of those positions were revealed prior to the election, but having said that, I tend toward trusting Obama to fill those spots wisely. It was an important factor in my decision.

People generally don't do that because it's embarrassing to be selected by someone who goes on to lose. This is especially true for nominees who could easily work for either candidate.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by DanaC

I'd just like to also throw out a congrats to Lewis Hamilton; the youngest ever Formula 1 champion, and the first black champion as well.

I can only imagine what the last few days must mean to young black lads growing up in my own country.

Do you really think it will make a difference?
I mean to me, I'm just delighted that an Englishman is Champion. I have no interest in Formula One, but I celebrate anyone from this country who wins.

Lewis Hamilton was exceptionally skilled but also he had a strong family unit. He went into the expensive sport of carting at an early age. His Dad paid £1000 for a cart and the fmaily spent a lot of time and money to ensure his potential was fulfilled.

Had he wanted to be a doctor from an early age - with the same aptitude for that as for racing - I am sure he would still be in education and his family would be equally proud.

I'm aware it is probably my naivite speaking. But I am excited Obama won because he's the most European style President you've had so far. He's a Democrat so that makes me happy too. Third on the list... very very distant third... is that he is mixed race. I mean, it's wonderful that as McCain said, it was once shocking to invite a black man for dinner in the White House and now there is a black president. But it would have been shocking for a woman to be a political leader then, and it's happened many times around the world.

I'm not trying to belittle his achievement. I just genuinely can't get the whole "Oh wow, he's black, it's amazing" vibe.

[DanaC]

Yes I do, sundae. There is a massive problem in the uk of a lack of positive role models for young black men, exacerbated by the familial break down attendant upon the particular circumstances of black communities in the UK. There is a problem in school around a lack of ambition for these boys; a cultural expectation that they will perform badly and go nowhere. There is very little in the world to balance out that picture for them. Most images of black culture are negative, or idealised to the point of fantasy. Even now, black footballers face monkey calls and racist taunts.

yes, I think it's massive, and has a huge impact. Every first has an impact. I heard a story recently; a young black woman growing up in 1980s Britain, even if she hadnt intended to clothes shop, if she went past a shop and there was a black mannequin in the window, she;d go in and buy whatever that mannequin was wearing. It didnt happen often.

Football and athletic sports have had a black presence for a long time; it is deemed 'appropriate' almost that theybe there. Grand Prix has historically been a sport of the wealthy and the white. This is different to running onto the pitch in an England strip, important though that is.