tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post8260855660831093915..comments2023-11-02T05:24:27.126-04:00Comments on Chroniques des Appalaches: Le 44e PrésidentCécyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14607512033552956126noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-42840595636101466122009-01-27T05:48:00.000-05:002009-01-27T05:48:00.000-05:00Hello Cécy !!J'aime beaucoup ton billet sur le suj...Hello Cécy !!<BR/>J'aime beaucoup ton billet sur le sujet ! je crois que cette élection a été la plus médiatisée. En tout cas en Suisse...<BR/>Alors, est-ce que tu as ta petite robe jaune à l'effigie de votre nouveau président (celle que Katy Perry avait sauf erreur!) ;-) ???<BR/>gros bec!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-57829238106893798672009-01-25T13:04:00.000-05:002009-01-25T13:04:00.000-05:00Merci Beaucoup to you Cécy, And I agree with your ...Merci Beaucoup to you Cécy, <BR/><BR/>And I agree with your comment to Camille " I love having expat's and expat's husbands participate in this, it makes it so much more interesting when an article creates a discussion." It does make the discussion of the various events of today's world more interesting when brought up on a blogging format such as yours and my own wife's.<BR/><BR/>So to the question that you inquired about via through your husband, ""Did the African American community voted for Obama just because he is Black?" He said that "A lot of people who never voted did vote this time and choose Obama just because of what he represented". My answer to his question is simply yes, I am sure that some did "just because", but I am sure that many did because of what he represented at large too. I think that those whom did vote for him "just because he was black" is quite no different because of how people do vote for someone "just because". A recent look into America's history shows this, a big/grand example would be John F. Kennedy, for it was very much well known that he got large pockets of votes "just because" he was 1).Catholic and an Irish-American descendant, I know of familes whom are Irish-American whom were registered Republicans, whom voted for him because he was an Irish decendant (with the subject of "race" looming about during this campaign, JFK's own ethnic and religious background was the big thing during his run for the White House.....actually I would say that his religion, Catholic, was the "race" question équivaillent). <BR/><BR/>If memory serves me well (thank goodness my wife reminds me to take my fish oil capsules for memory :-) ), when Mario Cuomo was thinking of running, some people made unflattering assuptions about him, via through his ethnicity, him being Italian-American (there were those whom somehow crazily thought that the Italian-Mafia would have input and again him being Catholic would be bad. But I did know people whom were Italian-American, would easily vote for him "just because", even if they did not agree with his views or were on the opposing political party.<BR/><BR/>I can clearly recall from what my parents told me, that the fact that JFK was Catholic, and being Irish-American was made a very big deal of, especially when it came down to the rest of the country here in the U.S. (meaning outside of the north-eastern of the U.S.). Even our well known former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, before he became a Senator made a big deal about this too (years ago he was a television commentator before running for the office).<BR/><BR/>I also know quite a few people whom did not vote for him as well, basically because of the fact that, like so many here in the U.S., they had lost faith in our system, not knowing really consciously knowing that our system, here in the U.S., is still very young, compared to the rest of the world that has some form of democracy, and that change can come, but it is a matter about those whom have the stomach who make hard decisions to be honest and not speak in circles. So I can understand that segment's thinking too.<BR/><BR/>As for I? Well, I knew what Obama was all about, just from his speech at the Democratic Convention of 2004, and he expressed many of the views that I even had and boldly expressed to friends, colleagues and foes alike, both domestically and globally as well. I will boldly say that roughly about 95% of Black/African-Americans of my generation and likened background had the same view point too he expressed at that convention. All is and will not be perfect of course, but, at least he is a start. Plus it's about time to have a President whom is technology savy too. No more DOS presidents, time for a Web 2.0 president to start (I just happen to be into technology).<BR/><BR/>Let me say thank again, for continuing this discussion here. I know that most tend to avoid such a discussion on a blog format that normally isn't designed for such, but like I said before. I appreciate your view and that of others.<BR/><BR/>Parham (husband of Cinnamonroll/http://cinnamonroll.weebly.com/)<BR/><BR/>P.S. - If there are those whom wish to ask more along the lines of what has been discussed here, please visit my wife's blog, there is a link here to her's, and you can contact me freely there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-78857167976600260952009-01-24T12:42:00.000-05:002009-01-24T12:42:00.000-05:00@Parham: Thank you so much for your comment and ve...@Parham: Thank you so much for your comment and very valuable addition to this discussion. Your background and the knowledge your parents passed on to you is precious and allows me and others to understand better.<BR/>I started reading+listening to the first speech you mentioned and I find it very interesting.<BR/> <BR/>The election were definitely not boring, I just felt detached because I could not vote or really participate in it. <BR/>On the contrary I thought it was very interesting to see how different channels presented the candidates (the very conservative Fox News for example was so different from ABC). <BR/><BR/>I love that you say that "race shouldn't matter and matters" it's exactly how I feel, but it's an odd feeling. I guess it's being between the reality of things and the utopia of how it should be. And I know we're not in Utopia and because of that it is a Grand and very symbolic election.<BR/><BR/>I have a question for you, I hope you won't feel offended by it. I was discussing the matter with my husband last night and he wondered: "Did the African American community voted for Obama just because he is Black?" He said that "A lot of people who never voted did vote this time and choose Obama just because of what he represented". <BR/>What I think in this case is: 1)You shouldn't vote for someone just because of what he represents but thankfully President Obama is also an interesting person with good ideas and values (I guess we're lucky). 2) Heck, if it made people who usually don't vote participate in such an important civic right and duty then we already won something.<BR/>I also think we can't generalize because I know some did not even vote for him. <BR/>But I'd love to hear what you think about this assumption.<BR/><BR/>@Camille: I love having expat's and expat's husbands participate in this, it makes it so much more interesting when an article creates a discussion.Cécyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14607512033552956126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-48479464887478571662009-01-24T11:57:00.000-05:002009-01-24T11:57:00.000-05:00@Londoncam, Merci Beaucoup :-) . I appreciate you...@Londoncam, <BR/><BR/>Merci Beaucoup :-) . I appreciate your commentary and participation as well. It occured to me later how there is, ironically, a strong French connection to all what has occured in this country this past year, through the great French Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, for much of this country's U.S. Constitution was heavily influenced by his thoughts/writings. Somehting that I forgot to include in my earlier commentary.<BR/><BR/>Parham (husband of blogger Cinnamonroll)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-8618806338699615992009-01-24T09:46:00.000-05:002009-01-24T09:46:00.000-05:00@Parham: May I, as a reader of this blog, say than...@Parham: May I, as a reader of this blog, say thank you for your explanation of your vision of Obama's election as an American citizen and a Afriacn/Black-American person ? <BR/>For someone like me living in Europe, Obama's election IS grand, both because, as you said, race should not matter and matters. You explained it much better than I would. I will read Obama's speech with attention.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-13242464479239489932009-01-23T13:10:00.000-05:002009-01-23T13:10:00.000-05:00Please excuse my lack of command of your native la...Please excuse my lack of command of your native language, in terms of communicating through writing (for I am still in a learning phase through of that of my wife whom happens to be French).<BR/><BR/>I just wanted respond to your comments concerning the recent historical events that have just occured in this country. Let me say before I go on that I am an American, who is from the American South, born and raised and living in North Carolina, 46years old, raised Catholic, and I also just happen to be Black/African-American. I am that of the same generation and education background like that of President Obama. Living and growing up here in the South, and later as an adult I have seen allot, though my mother and father tried to protect me from allot, but I was glad that they explained to all that they could do me. So that I, later as an adult, could explain and articulate as best as I possibly can too my children & others.<BR/><BR/>You happen to touch on many things, of which I do recognize; and as you do, that you both can relate to and not relate to. I am glad that you are one (like many in this country) who doesn't judge one by that of their skin colour, but that of their character. I do happen to think that there are more of people like you, my wife and I whom happen to live here in America of which we think of such a way. This was proven this past November when all of the votes/ballots were counted, and we now have President Obama. <BR/><BR/>I do think that his election is very significant by virtue by the fact that he happens to be Black/African-American, for though you may have thought that this past election was boring (and I can totally understand why you would view it as such) and that "race" shouldn't matter, in the grand scheme of things, "race" both mattered and did not matter. For me, to finally see the elections here take on another shape and form was very exciting (and I would also say, something that our "Founding Fathers" were hoping we would want to keep doing many years afterwards), something that both my mother and father believed in till the very end of their lives, and something they both did think I would see in my own life time (both of my parents were themselves trail blazers and politically active during the Civil Rights Era and afterwards). <BR/><BR/>Though the matter of the subject of "race", did come up, you must understand that for many Americans, those whom are of European decent, seeing such a man who is good, articulate, well traveled, charismatique and who made sense of things, it was hard for most because seeing his skin colour did challenge both their external and internal senses, morals and ethics (this was the case for even other minority groups outside of the Black community at large too). But I do say this to you and others whom do feel that this was boring, please read or view and comprehend the follow speech he gave on the matter of race> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-race-speech-read-th_n_92077.html?view=print / http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU&feature=related , I have many friends abroad (primarily in Europe), and even the complete context of this speech many felt had meaning and depth that even their own countries could learn by this speech.....it is a speech that told many to understand, admit to, to grow up and that it is time to move forward (though I we all know that some will, some will not).<BR/><BR/>I also think that the subject of "race" extended even outside of this country , especially to those whom are part of the African Diaspora (and even outside of that diaspora) whom live and work in Western Europe (it seemed to be a big subject talked about on European New Outlets....I watch and keep up allot with news overseas). So, I, personally do think that there is an internal effect, that we as Americans (as well as those whom are not), do feel the affects that we here in America, and beyond do completely recognize that what has happened is just beyond that of being just big, but "GRAND". <BR/><BR/>But also know that it was this speech that really got many people excited (even outside of America), way before he even thought of truly running> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fMNIofUw2I /text of speech> http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-07-27-obama-speech-text_x.htm<BR/><BR/>So, I hope that my participation here give a bit of a perspective that maybe few would be offered to have a chance of such a dialogue.<BR/><BR/>Parham (husband of Cinnamonroll)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-73125889901012753782009-01-23T09:06:00.000-05:002009-01-23T09:06:00.000-05:00@Cécy: exactement, je suis 100% d'accord :-)...@Cécy: exactement, je suis 100% d'accord :-)...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-3628867077010576772009-01-22T10:15:00.000-05:002009-01-22T10:15:00.000-05:00@Sheily: Oui.@PCR: C'est tout a fait ça, c'est un ...@Sheily: Oui.<BR/><BR/>@PCR: C'est tout a fait ça, c'est un avancement social pour l'Amérique, mais après il faut voir ce qu'il fait et si il arrive a agir sur la situation actuelle.<BR/><BR/>@Mère-Grand: J'ai pris le temps d'y réfléchir et j'ai eu quelques discussions autour de moi avant d'écrire ce billet. C'est un sujet délicat...<BR/>Les commentaires de vos amies sont aussi très intéressants et amènent d'autres aspects de réflexion.<BR/><BR/>@Camille: Merci. Je suis d'accord aussi que ça serait un évènement important. J'ai dis a Hubby d'ailleurs:"Je pense que ça m'aurais touche plus si c'était une femme". C"est une question d'attachement émotionnel je pense en plus d'une avancée sociale.<BR/>Je suis aussi tout a fait d'accord que l'esclavagisme était moins visible en France, que notre pays et d'autres pays d'Europe ont envahi entre autre l'Afrique et ont soumis des populations qui étaient déjà la de façon légitime. Mais voila, comme ce n'était pas dans l'hexagone même je pense qu'en grandissant dans l'hexagone, tout en ayant conscience de ce qui se passait ailleurs, je n'ai pas été aussi touchée par cette histoire la, car je connais peu de gens qui en ont souffert.Cécyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14607512033552956126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-88679192132939805652009-01-22T06:20:00.000-05:002009-01-22T06:20:00.000-05:00J'aime beaucoup ton billet zinecou, il sonne juste...J'aime beaucoup ton billet zinecou, il sonne juste. <BR/>Je suis d'accord avec toi, le fait qu'un président élu soit noir, blanc, homme, femme, cela ne devrait pas faire de différence, et idéalement j'aimerais que ça n'en fasse pas.<BR/><BR/>Cependant je pense que si un jour un homme ou une femme black ou beur devait devenir président en France, cela resterait pour moi un évènement important qui m'émeuvrait beaucoup. Car cela voudrait dire pour moi qu'on fait un petit pas vers l'acceptation de tous types de personnes dans notre société. Et si dans certaines régions de France, il y a peu de gens de couleur, n'oublions pas que notre équipe de foot ne serait pas ce qu'elle a été sans tous ces enfants d'immigrés qui ont si bien su porter nos couleurs !<BR/>Et si nous n'avons pas la même histoire d'esclavagisme, c'est aussi parce qu'elle était moins visible en France, mais la présence française en Afrique a été très très contestable... Bref, un sujet riche, varié, dans lequel au final je me retrouve dans ce que tu dis !<BR/><BR/>De gros bisousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-69683315883048927712009-01-22T05:35:00.000-05:002009-01-22T05:35:00.000-05:00Ch7re Cécy,Vous avez écrit un billet parfait, vous...Ch7re Cécy,<BR/><BR/>Vous avez écrit un billet parfait, vous avez tout développé avec sagesse, et impartialité Voua avez déjà la sagesse et le lucidité " des vieilles troupes", vous n'êtes pas futile comme bien trop de françaises. Votre article, je ne l'aurais pas écrit aussi bien, mais je pense tout comme vous.<BR/>J'ai deux amies américaines : l'une me dit qu'il finira son mandat...prématurément ! Bien qu'elle l'apprécie beaucoup !<BR/>Et l'autre dit : plutôt lui que d'être "gouvernés" par la Bible !<BR/>( Mc Cain)<BR/>Toutes deux sont inquiètes. Il faut voir l'homme à l'oeuvre et je crois que beaucoup de choses vont changer en Amérique.<BR/>et l'autreAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-18938914756720317832009-01-22T03:11:00.000-05:002009-01-22T03:11:00.000-05:00Je suis d'accord avec ta réflexion : pourquoi mett...Je suis d'accord avec ta réflexion : pourquoi mettre en avant la couleur de sa peau plutôt que sa "couleur" politique et de le juger là dessus plutôt que sur ses capacités personnelles et intellectuelles ? Ce n'est "qu'un" homme et en l'occurence, il est noir. Et alors ? ai-je envie de dire comme tu le fais. Il est effectivement vrai que son élection semble être une révolution aux yeux des américains et de leur histoire raciale assez récente.<BR/>Maintenant il a du travail sur la planche car apparemment, la situation est plus que critique de l'autre côté de l'Atlantique -quoiqu'ici ce ne soit guère mieux à voir les indicateurs et notamment celui du chômage...<BR/>pcrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35921334.post-70803273297193798052009-01-21T12:40:00.000-05:002009-01-21T12:40:00.000-05:00C'était vraiment des moments politiques d'une rare...C'était vraiment des moments politiques d'une rare intensité...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com