Will You Vote for Obama?

Will You Vote for Obama?

Marrakesh, Morocco

July 2008

I am in Marrakesh, roaming the alleyways of the Medina, old Plaza. I wandered down my first pathway and I am lured in to store by a charming man. “Come in Madame.  I will make you some tea.  Just come in and have a look.  No pressure.” I am no sooner in the store when he immediately wants to know if I plan on voting for Obama or McCain. Obama is the answer he wants to hear.

Again and again I’ve been asked this specific question by many of the people I have encountered in Morocco. Each time I am asked, I am surprised and ashamed. I just cannot believe that this isolated merchant who lives in a city of low economics, without a newspaper and with a minimal education knows all about US politics.

I am completely unaware of any political activities in Morocco. I don’t know this government, their leader or anything else of any significance to this country’s political agenda. But this man is watching our election with baited breath. So are the rest of the Moroccans.  They are filled with optimism.  The fact that a black man is running for the president of United States is more than this Moroccan can ever dream. He is certain Obama will win and he sees this victory as a win for the rest of the world.