UPDATE: I changed the title to reflect the fact that it was a translation from Le Monde, while some folks thought it was my own interpretation or that it was misleading. I wish that I had access to another translation of Sarah Obama's remarks, but it's quite clear that in the French translation, anyway, the word "sacrifice" is used in posing the question, while she answers with the word "slaughter." I apologize for any confusion: I certainly didn't mean for this to be so controversial! I thought it was a sweet story about the happiness of Obama's African family....
So in my quest to further wallow in the renewed love of the U.S. in foreign countries, I cruised on over to Le Monde for a bit. They had a tiny -- but fascinating -- interview with Obama's paternal grandmother in Kenya, who said that she had already started sacrificing cattle.
Here's my translation. Corrections welcome:
Grandma: "Last night we didn't sleep. We had a sleepless night [nuit blanche]."
Le Monde: "Have you spoken with your grandson?"
GM: "No, I haven't talked to him yet. He spoke very well this morning. His speech was very good. I'm going to go to Washington, but I don't know when. I'm waiting for the program."
LM: "Are you going to sacrifice some cows?" [or perhaps "animals" ("bêtes")?]
GM: "Yes, we already started slaughtering them yesterday."
I just thought this was incredibly interesting. I did not even know Barack's paternal grandmother was still alive. It was really moving to hear this voice from so far away, and the joy and excitement that his election was sparking.
I do feel bad for the cows.
BARACK'S OTHER GRANDMA