opinion

Sometimes it’s about
who inspires faith
by Silvio Sirias

In 1960, the Democratic National Convention was held in the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. My family lived only a few blocks away from this site. I was six years old at the time and on the final day of the Convention I remember walking there with my parents, who wanted to witness history up close. Although we weren’t allowed into the Arena, there was an electrifying atmosphere outside --- music, shouted slogans, balloons, and a shared feeling that we were at a crossroads in American history.

What I remember most about that day are two things: that my jacket ended up covered with buttons of every single candidate seeking the Democratic Party candidacy, and the loud cheer that greeted the news that John F. Kennedy had won his party’s nomination.

My father --- a veteran of the Korean War and naturalized US citizen --- was inspired by Kennedy. He volunteered to help the campaign, and with me in tow he knocked on dozens of doors to distribute leaflets, buttons, and bumper-stickers supporting JFK. When Kennedy was elected, it was a joyful moment in my home as my parents celebrated the victory as theirs. They had faith that a new era of inclusion was being ushered in, and the sadness of seeing those hopes so tragically truncated haunts me to this day.

Years later, my father, who returned to live in Nicaragua and experienced the decade of the Sandinista Revolution --- which he absolutely abhorred --- found inspiration in Ronald Reagan and became an ardent Republican. With time, thanks to him, I learned to listen respectfully while not uttering a word in order to keep the family peace. It’s a practice I honor to this day: I keep my heartfelt political opinions to myself in the presence of those whose viewpoints differ from mine --- all for the sake of preserving amiable relationships.

Also, I’ve learned that teachers wield considerable influence over the minds of their students --- even those of college age. Thus, I remain as impartial as I possibly can around youth. I’ve learned to steer discussions that have the potential of becoming politically controversial toward posing the questions that both sides of the spectrum are raising. I’ve become quite a capable facilitator in helping students arrive at their own conclusions according to their consciences and beliefs. It is not a teacher’s place, I firmly believe, to shape the political views of students; rather, it is our duty to help them to learn to determine for themselves the stand they wish to take on issues or which candidates they will support.

In addition, because my wife and I have voluntarily chosen exile from the United States, the land of our birth, to reside in Latin America, I feel I surrendered the privilege to assert my viewpoint regarding US politics and elections. I prefer to let those who live in the trenches advocate their positions with vigor; and when I do chime in, I do so timidly, limiting my comments to some aspect of a discussion I feel people may have overlooked.

Moreover, a bit wiser with age, I’ve learned that spiritual matters are far more transcendent and timeless than politics. In my youth I defended my political views with ardor, not caring who I offended, only to discover, once the dust had settled, that I had been on the wrong side of the issue. Therefore, today I only come forth in matters in which I'm absolutely sure that I’m in command of the facts.

Because of these strongly held principles, I’ve never used my writer’s pulpit to endorse a US presidential candidate. Today, however, I will break from that tradition to state my belief that Barack Obama represents the direction in which I believe the United States needs to go. I have faith in his ability to lead.

What made me step away from a lifelong practice of withholding my views was General Colin Powell’s endorsement of the Democratic Party candidate. Already, conservatives have attacked Powell for his support of Obama. But Powell’s words --- and the courage it took to pronounce them --- have inspired me to join in and say that I, too, believe that the United States has reached a critical crossroads that begs for a historical choice.

In particular, these words, uttered by Gen. Powell during his appearance on “Meet the Press,” moved me to cast aside my silence and take this stand:

“And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities --- and you have to take that into account --- as well as his substance --- he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president.”

I agree.

Barack Obama reminds me of a time when hope and dreams filled the hearts of most Americans. We need hope again; we need to dream again --- perhaps more than ever. And I am filled with faith. That's because the electrifying appeal of his campaign takes me back to that day, long-ago, when I was six years old, standing in front of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, and a great nation was poised to make another historical choice.

Silvio Sirias is an award-winning novelist who lives and writes in Panama. For more information, visit his website at www.silviosirias.com