Obama Nation

This latest assignment to profile the American public in the form of tourists was surprisingly tough. By no means was it hard to find the tourists. We as locals here know them well. The ones with maps in their hands, bewildered looks of confusion and the yearning to ask the burning question "Where is the metro?" It's right behind you I mostly reply. I give grace in these situations, I was once just as confused about the area and still to this day I don't know all there is to know about DC and it's hidden gems. But in reality, the concern was to see how Obama has been integrated into the culture outside of DC. I tried to tackle this task with photographs since for one, it allows me to capture evidence, secondly I'm already documenting this occasion with photos since I like to take photos, and third, it trains my eye to look for tourists in touristy types of things. I think I found an ample amount of tourists in their full on Obama garb soaking it in. They roared and they cheered at every mention of Obama. Yet I fully doubt that most of the populace would have known anything of worth on Obama's political stance, politics, history or his ability as a leader.  I certainly don't but I do try to keep informed other than just a ticker on CNN telling me that "Obama preaches Freedom." As I looked around, I confirmed many of the beliefs I had before Obama even won the presidency. Obama has become a marketable Icon to many people. It has become popular to adorn yourself with Obama material as well as to even say you're an Obama supporter. For simply stating that fact alone carries with it a meaning that you're liberal, progressive, open minded, and ready for change. Culture has been shaped to embody this notion for us. The media has played the most pivotal role by bringing Obama to millions of families everyday with cable, the internet has spurned a giant with Obama's online campaigns. For the first time in a long time, the people felt a part of the campaign. They could voice their opinions on blogs much like this one. They could petition. They could collaborate on political canvassing techniques. Obama became not only a product of popular media, but he became tangible media. Something that existed, that gives hope that anything can be done. However, listening to Obama's speeches for the first time, I too became a tourist. I was at the mercy of his microphone belting out his powerful words and I felt the electricity throughout the crowd as people felt hope. A feeling that we haven't felt in a long time. Obama is a man yet he has become a symbol as well. A duality of human nature or rather a duality of culture nature. On one hand, he makes decisions and lives the life of a normal man in a position of great power. Yet he has created a persona than can endure the criticism, the hardship, and the troubles that lay ahead. A shield if you will. Our culture has bolstered this shield and allowed us to create our own image of Obama that cannot be tarnished in our minds.