topics include Diversity, Leadership
Barack Obama’s election as the first African American President in the US is significant both from historical and forward-looking perspectives. For many it symbolises the righting of a wrong that goes back to the days of slavery while re-confirming the USA as ‘The Land of Opportunity, and ‘The American Dream’. Although somewhat over-shadowed, Lewis Hamilton’s achievement in becoming the first ever black Formula One champion, as well as the youngest, is also of great significance. That both these events should take place within days of each other is a remarkable coincidence, but there are other similarities which strike a chord. Both men proved that hard work, talent, dedication and self-belief could take an individual from the poorest of beginnings to what Lewis’s father described as the ‘top of the world’. In both instances, too, the support of a loving family was constantly highlighted and clearly in evidence. Also of significance was the support of their colleagues – the Democratic Party from its Executive to the volunteers and the McLaren team from its Chairman, Ron Dennis to the mechanics and technicians who made everything possible. In a gesture of loyalty unusual for the sport, Lewis Hamilton has already stated that he intends to stay with McLaren for his whole career… perhaps heralding a trend away from serial job-hopping back towards a job for life.
A far more significant prediction from some commentators in the US is that Obama’s election marks the end of racism in America and potentially other countries too. Those with a rather better understanding of the issues suggest that, while it is a significant and symbolic moment it should at best be seen as the ‘end of the beginning’. While there was seemingly little overt racism shown to Obama during the election, the colour of his skin rather than the content of his character was likely to have been a defining issue for many, and the opposition did accuse him of being a Muslim and a friend to terrorists. And as if to prove the point, Lewis Hamilton’s father talked after the title win of how upsetting the racism that they experienced at the hands of fans in Spain and Brazil had been, stating “I didn’t think the world was quite like this.” There is still a long way to go before the concept of all men (and women) being created equal enshrined in the US Declaration of Independence actually becomes a consistent reality. But the indications are that with every new generation the dream of equal opportunity for all comes one step closer.
Although the full statistics are yet to be made available, it is widely thought to be the youth vote that tipped the election in Obama’s favour in many States. And this was youth from across the social spectrum. Young people of all communities now have two exceptional new role models to encourage them to achieve their aspirations. Given that so much of the ills of today’s society seems to be blamed upon directionless and disaffected youth, it is only to be hoped that they too will be able to count on the support of their families and employers in working towards achieving their dreams.