I was in Washington, DC this morning, and caught a taxi. The driver was clearly African. That’s not surprising. The taxi drivers of DC are a remarkably international bunch. They’re part of a modern diaspora, from Africa and other poverty-haunted places: often educated, mostly men, who come to America’s cities seeking many things-- work, education, a career, refuge, survival.
We established that he was from Ghana, had been here a few years, and had friends from Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. I asked him what he thought about the election.
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"The whole world is watching this election," he said. "I tell you, people here often don’t realize how this country is seen."
I winced inwardly. "I know there’s a fair amount of anti-American feeling out there."
"No, that’s what people here don’t understand. This is a highly respected country. A good country. Most people have admiration for this country."
Really? I know for a fact there’s a lot of hostility out there. But then, the world is a complex place. There’s a lot going on. He was telling me his experience, and I was willing to listen.
He was talking about things like the tsunami. "When things like that happen, people notice, they see that the United States is a country with a loving heart. Or President Clinton. Wherever he goes, anywhere in the world, the crowds come. He’s loved. But now, it’s different. Now, everyone is worried."
You got that right, I thought. I’ve been more than a little worried, myself.
"Especially, there is the Iraq war." He waited for my response.
"It’s a terrible war," I said. "It never should have happened."
"Yes. Invading Iraq, this is not something the United States would do, to flout international law and standards that way. The United States upholds international law. But now..."
He was silent for a moment. "And then, torture. Torture. This is not what people expect from the United States. So people are worried. I get calls from all over. Why is this happening? And everyone is watching this election."
"I’m sure they are," I said. I was thinking in general terms, though. The driver was talking about more specific attention.
"Oh yes," he said. "After the Vice Presidential debate, I got a call from New Zealand. My friend was asking me, what is this winking that Sarah Palin does? What does it mean?
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him I have no idea in the world." We were at a traffic light; he turned and stared at me. "What does it mean?"
"Well... often it’s humorous. Like, there might be an unspoken joke."
"What was the joke?"
"Well... I don’t know. I didn’t actually see any joke. I guess the fact is I don’t know what it means either." I felt embarrassed, thinking of an unknown number of the cabbie’s friends, waiting for someone to decipher for them the bizarre tribal customs of Americans in election years. But hey, damned if I can explain Sarah Palin.
We talked about last night’s debate. We agreed it was McCain’s best performance, but we both still thought Obama had won.
"If the people of the world could vote," the driver said, "Obama would be president now. Right now. I tell you, if he’s elected, everyone will be so relieved. It’ll be like it was before."
I was dubious. "Attitudes aren’t going to turn around in a hurry," I said.
He smiled over his shoulder at me. "It will change on the first day. On the very first day, I tell you. Oh, not completely. People will still be watching. It’s as if a friend does something that shocks you, then you’ll be watching for a while. But it will be different from the first day. Obama is different from Bush. People all over the world are watching, and they see that. They’re praying for his victory."
"He’s different from Bush, that’s for sure. I hope you’re right," I said. "And I hope Obama wins."
"He’ll win. I’m sure of it. People on five continents are praying for one man."
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So there you have it. Whether you believe in prayer or not, the hopes and intentions, dreams and desires of five continents are riding with us these last 19 days. That has to matter.
Leave it all on the road.