Barack, this is my sevusevu
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The soft grey light of a late Autumn dawn was creeping in. But I was still wide awake – transfixed by the story unfolding in-front of me on television.
He spoke with a natural rhythm I’ve never heard, found combinations of words I’d never imagine, communicated like no other. And the wide-eyed joy in the faces of those who soaked up every syllable pushed me over the edge. I couldn’t help but cry.
The only time I can remember this feeling was when the Berlin Wall came down. I understood the context of the moment less, but the feeling was identical – I felt connected to a distant place and story and people.
Obama’s victory in America this morning gives me great optimism at a time of widespread pessimism.
And I feel the moment resonates with our story – of believing in something that looks impossible. Of adventure, fairness and good development. We may not be building a nation, but we are building a community – a community whose cross-cultural needs and aspirations reflect the best of what is possible.
He reminds me at times of Tevita – in his ability to show humility and inspire huge respect through his passion to see change in his country from the grass roots of Vorovoro upwards.
Many of tribe members are, and today I wish I was, American.
So Barack this is my sevusevu – vina’a va’alevu for giving us great hope. Soso Ratu.
Comments
Cheers Ben – I can only hope that we can continue this direction and live up to the world’s expectations. I was 150 feet from the stage :) I’ll post some photos soon
Finally proud again
I got up at 5am thinking I’d catch the final crunch …. to hear Barack giving his victory speech!! AMAZING.
It must have been just fantastic Walt to be so close to the stage. I wonder if there are any other tribies who were there too.
i sat in a room of friends of every color and persuasion, and we were loud and raucus and so so so relieved that we could feel proud again, that we made phone calls to strangers, traveled to other parts of the country to talk to people, and shared hope that we can change things if we really try. a bit optimistic, but that’s what we need…and i was so pleased to have a tribe friend with me, of shine fame, mister paul taylor, to witness the hubbub…
It was a Great experience, as Walt said we were very close to the stage and to hear him speak (once again) was amazing! It’s funny Ben, you can ask Walt, they showed Barack’s family watching over seas and I turned to Walt and said “I bet Ben is watching” and he goes “From his phone” LOL It’s amazing the way things relate and how whats really important always comes out in the end! Vinaka Ben!!!
wooooooohooooooo! America has its head on straight again. Walt and Niki I can’t believe u were there! Amazing!
just stunning that if this was only 50 years ago he might not have been allowed on the same bus as some of his fellow countrymen on account of his colour. Nothing is impossible.
Great to see the States getting some positive press for a change, lets hope he can continue this amazing momentum that he’s built up.
‘naka, Ben. I always liked your sevusevu.
Really positive news to hear about from a little island in Fiji…great blog Ben and Sustainability Ben is especially bendy and happy :)
‘We must be the change we want to see in the world’ Mahatma Gandhi. We are what we do.
Onwards and upwards!
Ben, how cool of you to write this. It’s a very exciting and hopeful time. He’s a great leader and I hope the American people (and the world) will get behind him because we are really the cure, not the government. And your comparison with Tevita is brilliant! My best, Elizabeth
It was a great night and congrats to all americans.
As one of the American tribies, Vinaka Ben! and your comparison with Tevita is right on! Meeting and spending time with Tevita was one of my absolute favorite parts of my visit to Vorovoro. Team Fiji in general has given me so much inspiration. And likewise, I am filled with hope and optimism from Obama’s win. Having leaders who want to live right – that’s what the world needs more of – and that would mean we’d need a lot more of Tevita!
woke up at 3.00 am unable to sleep for fear of missing the outcome, had duvet and beer and watched fixated until 6.00 am. With intermittant texts to Caz I felt a little closer to what was the most incredible feeling of hope and optimism. It reminded me of being a child getting up to watch Apollo taking off – despite the distance across the pond I hope at last being so closely aligned to the States with such an inspirational man at the helm will be good for all. Let’s hope his support continues long enough to enable him to make the changes the world so needs and deserves.
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