Update: Saw this diaried right in front of me. Please visit this diary:
...Setrak's Diary
I read emmaka's excellent diary this morning on how the attitude towards Americans has changed with the election of Obama.
Travel Abroad - Then and Now
To my surprise, I saw an AP article this afternoon that stated that Obama's election has caused the French to re-examine their feelings on race.
More below the fold
Inspired by Barack Obama, the French first lady and other leading figures say it's high time for France to stamp out racism and shake up a white political and social elite that smacks of colonial times.
Based on this, it appears as the election of Obama has served as a catalyst for the French to emphasize a movement that had already started in France.
Interestingly enough, I had a long discussion on Thursday with a gentlemen in my office who is a naturalized citizen from one of the colonized islands (I want to say French Guinea, but I'm not 100% sure). He told me that he was surprised at the reaction in Europe to Obama because in his opinion, European countries were far more prejudiced that the U.S. He went on to tell me the story of his brother whose family left Norway for the US with very little money, etc., because he was unable to advance professionally in Norway. He was promoted several times after arriving in the states.
In my co-workers opinion, Obama's victory proved that America was still the land of opportunity. He agreed with me completely when I stated that Obama's victory put the exclamation point on Democracy!
The article goes on to state:
A manifesto published Sunday - subtitled "Oui, nous pouvons!", the French translation of Obama's campaign slogan "Yes, we can!" - urges affirmative action-like policies and other steps to turn French ideals of equality into reality for millions of blacks, Arabs and other alienated minorities.
Link to the entire article
To echo several commenters on emmeka's diary, I am thrilled that Obama has raised the United States, once again, to a leadership role in the world's view.
This is an exciting, piviotal moment in our country's history - I am glad that I get to be part of it.