The Way I See It First Commentary for HITN’s / DCBNY
October 13, 2009
By Gerson Borrero
I don’t know about you, but I was surprised to learn last Friday morning that President Barack Hussein Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Some people were even stunned.
And if we are to believe national opinion polls, a large percentage of people think this recognition is premature.
Notwithstanding the extremists for whom this young President can not do anything right, I view this as an opportunity for Señor Obama.
It’s time for the President to stand on the world stage and Begin to regain some of the loss confidence and mistrust that far too many countries all over the world share about the United States.
When the world’s leaders gathered at the United Nations in late September, President Obama’s speech was highly anticipated. Once delivered, Obama received fair reviews.
None matched the one from Hugo Chavez Frias, the President of Venezuela. At his turn at the podium Mr. Chavez said: “It doesn’t smell of sulfur here anymore. It doesn’t smell of sulfur. It’s gone. Now, it smells of hope.”
And while we may not agree with every utterance from President Chavez, the fact is that Obama does exude hope and conciliation.
That’s why Latinos voted for him in such overwhelming numbers last November.
We expect President Obama to bring the type of change that he promised during the hard-fought presidential campaign.
Those expectations are high.
Many of us will hold him accountable for immigration reform, a responsible and equitable national health insurance policy for all, education policies worthy of the needs that globalization requires for this nation's youth.
These issues and ending the war are among so many others that weigh heavily on President Obama.
We need the United States to stand tall among the giants and act as a partner to the responsible nations of the world.
No matter what the detractors continue to say, the recognition awarded to President Obama by the Norwegian Nobel Committee is an acknowledgement that his words and promises have brought hope to the international community.
The world wants the President to succeed. He has injected hope in Americans and citizens of the world at large, and now he must help deliver peace to honor the award he has received.
That’s the way I see it.
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