Barack Obama's win sends a hugely powerful and timely message to young people in London.
Gun and knife crime is nothing new in this city, but over a 50 teenagers have been stabbed or shot in London over the last year.
Never before have we seen so many young lives lost in these circumstances over such a short period of time.
Thankfully thousands of Londoners work every day help give young people opportunities and steer them away from gangs, drugs and crime.
Over the past year I have met and interviewed many inspirational figures who have in one way or another taken it upon themselves to help halt the spiral of violence.
The organisations, which they have set up with limited funds and support from the government, make a tangible difference in communities where gangs are rife.
Whether they provide an outlet for young people through sports (Shoot a Ball Not A Gun ), music (Frosted Ice ) or empowerment and mentoring ( From Boyhood to Manhood ), they all deliver the same core message; that kids in socially and financially deprived areas need positive role models.
They need to look at the world and see people they can relate to in positions of power and aspire to achieve recognition and success in public life.
The election of a black man, whose father was a goatherd and who was raised by a single mother, to the most powerful political post in the world provides these groups with the ultimate role model and they will be celebrating Obama's win this week as passionately as any American.
The images on telly in the last couple of days are going to be vivid and etched on people's mind for a long time.
Whatever the future holds in its belly and how Obama will tackle the himalayan challanges and delivers that time only will tell. But, the bright shining sparkle in the eyes of a lot of young black men and women on that fateful night makes one want to believe that if Obama happens to be the beacon of hope to an entire generation, then the word 'HOPE' has found a new meaning.
So far as it helps a disillusioned generation come back on track, let the role model Obama roll out his magic and charisma.
If the frustration and anger over the history and discrimination felt by black brothers turns in to renewed hope and determination to do better than their counterparts across the racial divide and not venting their anger by way of violence, then its a very welcome 'CHANGE' this election will bring.
Posted by: Milan Kamdar | 06/11/2008 at 07:08 PM
Exactly Amar. Young Londoners especially from my community, the African-Caribbean community need to use this victory to their advantage.
Put down your knives and guns, pick up a book, pull up your trousers and strive to be the best that you can be and you can one day achieve your dreams too.
Obama is the perfect role model. He was raised in a single family home, he was not wealthy, he worked his way up through education, hard work and determination. He stayed focused on his dream and he ran a flawless campaign. He is an intelligent, Charismatic and inspirational man who is the perfect role model for young men of ethnic origin.
I hope his message of hope and change trickles down to the youth of Britain.
Posted by: Hiedi | 06/11/2008 at 11:22 PM
Obama win should send out a clear message "NO MORE EXCUSES".
No more excuses for gun and knife crime
Poverty is not an excuse for knife crime.
No more excuses for failing at school.
Posted by: terry | 07/11/2008 at 06:11 PM
Unfortunately these young people do not live in the USA and therefore cannot participate in the American dream as exemplified by President Obama. They live in the UK where hope of the kind you describe does not exist. Upward mobility in the UK is worse now than 30 years ago. Afro-Americans represent 4.5% of the US population yet Obama received 52% of the vote. Do you think a Muslim/South Asian UK citizen (4.5% of the UK poplulation) will be elected as PM soon? And by 52% of the UK population? And will he/she be as well educated and qualified as Mr. Obama? I think you can clearly answer NO to these questions - therein starkly describing the difference between the US and the UK. This is also the reason why so many young people around the world have been so involved in this US election and now want to be a part of our world's future as it is being defined in the US (most would now live in the US in an instant). This new hope does not translate to the UK, unfortunately. Going forward the UK will look very archaic when compared to the US.
Posted by: KR | 07/11/2008 at 11:38 PM