Should I commence with a disclaimer? Naaa – you’ll most likely despise me for what I’m about to say anyway. Then hopefully after several hours, having calmed down a little and given objectivity a chance, you might consider the fact that I may actually be right. So here goes. I went to bed at 1.45am on Wednesday feeling strangely irritated. The first two results of the US elections had been announced, and Trump already had seven Electoral College votes. But that isn’t why I was irritated. I’d been feeling sleepy for an hour or so, but was determined to wait for the Florida result before heading to bed.
Florida was tight – with Trump leading one minute and Clinton the next. Now here’s the strange thing – I felt happier when Trump was leading. Then all of a sudden Clinton went ahead by two percentage points. To say I was irritated is an understatement. It signalled the inevitable defeat of Donald Trump. Hence I went to bed more than a touch aggrieved. But sleep’s hold on me was fragile at best, as I woke up at 5am; immediately grabbing my phone and keyingdailymail.co.uk into the internet browser – and there it was – ‘It’s a Trump-quake!’ screamed the Daily Mail headline. Pleased? I was positively feverish with excitement. I ran downstairs, assumed my position on the sofa, switched on the TV and watched with glee as Trump surged on to 289 electoral votes. Why was I pleased that Trump won?
After all, this is the person whose name I refused to mention in an article I wrote a year or so ago. Why am I pleased to see a man that openly discriminates against Muslims win the US Presidential Election? A man that for all intents and purpose has epitomised racism and xenophobia during the past year and a half! Simple – it signals the beginning of a new world order. For decade after decade the US has policed the world in a manner depicting the governing of its’ own personal fiefdom. And if we’re honest with ourselves, on numerous occasions her less than hidden agenda has been one of selfish gain – oil, money, power – be-it training a group of people that serves its’ interests in the interim but proceed to be the most brutal and terrifying of regimes, or wrecking nations with unjustified wars; and inevitably leaving those same nations in far worse conditions. This is not an anti- America article. I have absolutely nothing against US. Indeed she’s undoubtedly a great nation.
Only a truly great nation produces such leaders as Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama, who, despite the most severe of disappointments, are quick to promote unity and healing after one of the most divisive and oftentimes cruel election campaigns in US history. Trump’s victory signals the rise of a far more isolationist America, as against the expansionist one that many of us loved for so many years but now look upon with an increasing disdain. It’s also a huge slap in the face for the ruling elite /establishment. For just as the people of Britain grabbed their country back a few months ago, Americans have seemingly done the same.
One of the most intriguing factors of these elections is that for all the rhetoric about Hispanics giving Trump a bloody nose, more Hispanics voted for Trump in 2016 than for Obama in 2012. Thus suggesting Hispanics also want their country back. Blacks more or less stayed at home. There were far less black voters this time round – suggesting a distinct lack of interest in either of the two candidates. What does all this mean? It aptly demonstrates the most obvious reality of all. The United States is about as united as a bitterly estranged couple in the midst of divorce proceedings. And what does all this mean for Africa? The time of relying on external assistance to solve our problems is long gone. We must resolve our conflicts and problems ourselves. And that begins with grabbing our respective countries back.
Indeed, despite how things might seem or look right now, I’m of the opinion the next super power will be an African one. For those preaching doom and gloom I say this; Calm down. It definitely won’t be as bad as many are saying. Trump is a mastermind of communication. He understood that a large segment of the white populace felt unrepresented and neglected. He simply recognised that the best route to the White House was via latching onto the resentment of the majority of the white populace.
The Trump that gave the victory speech was not only very different to the one we’ve grown accustomed to during the past eighteen months, but is also likely to be the one we see from now on. ‘Brexit Plus Plus’ is a huge shock to us all. But if we really think about it, not only should it not come as too much of a surprise, but it may just be a blessing in disguise – and in so many more ways than one. And the first female president of America? Look no further than the current First Lady. My money’s on Michelle Obama being sworn in as America’s 46th president in January 2025.
