What fate the American dream?
Global Geographic Times, People's Republic of China
The American Dream: The World's Real 'X-Factor'
While many people consider China to
be the 'X-Factor' of the 21st century, according to this op-ed article from
that country's state-controlled Global Geographic Times, the real wild
card is which of the new wrinkles in the American dream proposed by
President-elect Obama will end up coming true, and how the world will be
effected by his relative success or failure. It says in part:
"Obama has become a symbol
of reform - and that's a good thing. America needs reform. The world is waiting
to see if America can change some of its own scumbag-evil defects. Otherwise,
if it tries to play world leader, the rest of us will be less likely to accept
it. ... Americans like to dream - dare to dream - but of all the American
dreams that Obama has stirred, how many can be made real?"
According to The Washington
Post, the stated author of this article, Ding Gang, is frequently assigned
to important analyses. Chinese journalists say they believe it is a pen
name used by senior editors or other party propaganda officials to convey
official points of view 
."
By Ding Gang [丁刚]*
Translated By Mark Klingman
November 6, 2008
Global Geographic
Weekly - People's Republic of China - Original Article (Chinese)
Americans always say that the
rise of China is the greatest "X Factor" of this century. Now it's
our turn to say a few words about America.
After the U.S. presidential election,
it was announced that Obama won. In China too, there were people cheering
along, saying this was "a miracle of the American dream." I haven't
experienced the American dream, and neither do I know whether Americans see
Obama's election in this way. Certainly, on the electoral map a large piece of
territory remained red (states that McCain won). One thing I'm sure of is that the
American dream is the American dream, not the world's dream. The world can't
afford the American dream!
Obama has become a symbol of
reform - and that's a good thing. America needs reform. The world is waiting to
see if America can change some of its own scumbag-evil defects. Otherwise, if
it tries to play world leader, the rest of us will be less likely to accept it.
In a family, if family members can’t accept the head of the household, there
will definitely be problems.
However, if an unchanged
America is no good, an American that wants to change isn't necessarily a jolly
thing, either. Americans had the courage to elect a Black president, but for
them to truly accept him requires more than courage. It also requires patience.
The same is true of those watching with great interest around the world.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Those who have cheered Obama from
the beginning may not have realized how they had pinned so many of their hopes
on him. How can this not be a heavy burden? So as the world watches a
tired-looking Obama set his hand to the task with such great expectations, it
fears he might not be good enough, yet it expects him to produce bigger and
better miracles. And currently the U.S. faces a financial crisis, wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan and many other severe challenges. In addition, Obama has become
a symbol of a blending of Black and White cultures, and as a symbol he can only
do right and not wrong. For him there is no escape route, or the American dream
itself would be shattered. Under such a heavy burden, miracles are easier said
than done!
That is why, as Obama
pleasantly surprises the world, he also brings a new "X-Factor."
Americans like to dream - dare to dream - but of all the American dreams that
Obama has stirred, how many can be made real? Americans can't be sure and
people in other countries even less so. The United States is the world's only
superpower and its every move will have a significant impact. America’s
uncertainty will surely make the rest of the world very uncomfortable.
Rather
than cheer for Obama, let's calm down a little and watch how the United States
changes.
(The writer is a senior
People's Daily editor. This article was published in the, "Global
Times," 11th edition, International Forum)
*Ding Gang is
listed as the senior desk editor of The People's Daily
CLICK HERE
FOR CHINESE VERSION
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
December 18, 5:30pm]
