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Obama. He is not the savior of the United States or the world. However, I proudly cast my vote for him and stand by that. I am not placing all of my hopes of a better society, a more equal and inclusive world into the President of the United States. People place unrealistic expectations on the person that fills that role. Then they sit back and blame him (maybe her in the future) when things don't change as expected. However, several positives. My professor, Paul Arthur, always says, "Never underestimate the power of symbolism." Symbolically, the United States has taken a step in a new direction. A step. Nothing more but certainly nothing less. Additionally, the perceptions of people are in many ways more important than reality. People believe and perceive that a change has taken place and if people (not simply Barak Obama) act on that perception, change really will take place within the local, state and national communities. Last Obama-driven thought, one that is personally near and dear. The potential for improving US foreign relationships and diplomacy with the rest of the world has improved 5 billion times over. (*Numerical figure is used to illustrate a point and in no way reflects a true or accurate statistic. Reiterating the importance of perception.) If you would like to challenge the essence of that statement, I would happily ask you 2 questions. First, are you currently living in a country outside of the United States? Secondly, have you, at any time in the past 8 years traveled outside of the United States and spoken with the local population? I was briefly featured on the BBC Radio Foyle this morning, so I'm told. US opinion was in high demand yesterday. My 5 seconds of fame in N. Ireland:)

Black Panthers. I saw 2 former members (Billy X and Emory Douglas) speak last night. My previous knowledge of the American Civil Right's Movement of the 60's & 70's, or I should say ignorance on the topic, is nothing short of embarrassing. In nearly every one of my classes and reading materials, the American Civil Right's Movement is featured and discussed with relevance to other civil rights movements all over the world. In class, we concentrate on a Martin Luther King Jr. and SNCC approach, but the Panther Party perspective is a voice and it is a part of history-- regardless of any discrepancies you or I or anyone might have with some of the methods, practices, and ideologies of the party. The fact of the matter is that the Black Panther Party did play a very real and positive role (notice how I delineate A role, not THE role) by promoting equality, justice, and dignity to the community. Interestingly enough, they were also a hope and inspiration, along with other civil rights activists, for many people in Northern Ireland as well. As an aside, I found myself uncomfortable at points last night and had to ask myself, why?... Was it because I already had an extremely limited and negative viewpoint about the Black Panther Party based on ignorance? Actually listening and processing their personal stories and accounts meant that I had to challenge myself and my previously unrecognized notion about who they were and what they stood for. I had to actively participate by listening and thinking, agreeing or disagreeing or remaining unsure. If you want to learn more information about the Black Panthers from their own perspective, visit www.itsabouttimebpp.com.

Halloween. October 31 is the biggest city-wide celebration in Derry for the entire year. Literally thousands of people flock to the city center for a carnival (parade is a more loaded word in this part of the world, perhaps to be discussed at a later time), fireworks, food, drink, and of course, plenty of costumes! I dressed up as Sponge Bob Square Pants and experienced the best people-watching night of my life, in addition to enjoying the festivities until late Friday night. A few pictures from the night...




Rotary. This past Monday I went to Newry to attend a Rotary dinner. I was truly humbled by how well I was welcomed and treated by the club members. Brian and Noreen Delahunt hosted me in their home and in the morning Brian gave me a local tour of Newry, explaining how he grew up and how different parts of town had developed and changed. I had about 45 minutes before I had to catch my 3 hour bus back to Derry. Bri, if you are reading this, I had the feeling that you would particularly like this city. Lots of local flower shops, bakery's, and Bri-ness:) A few pictures of Newry.





Big Brother? Can anyone say with certainty what this poster means? Hopefully not what it could imply. Found in a bus station in Belfast. I also find myself sticking to the phrase, "Where is the bathroom?" or "I need to use a restroom?" when a local would say "Where is the toilet?" or "I have to go to toilet" (the is often an unnecessary article). I had to ask myself, why do I insist on using the word restroom when I know I will probably be given a quizzical look? I think the answer is that restroom and bathroom couch the user in a comfortable state of anonymity and just seem more polite. I may be using the bathroom to simply fix my hair or wash my hands but to go to the toilet is just so obvious. United States euphemistic/PC blahty blah.