Nobel Committee's Subtle, Inspirational Message To America

With the stunning news that President Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize, there has been understandable skepticism. Then I got to thinking...

What if the Nobel committee was taking an uncharacteristically broad view of world peace? What if the award wasn't only directed at Barack Obama? What if -- in addition to fostering world peace -- they also wanted to send the citizens of the United States a subtle, inspirational message?

These days, the American people are feeling beleaguered and bereft. We are universally disappointed and disgusted by our senators and representatives, and exhausted by their name-calling, corruption and inability to work together to solve our most pressing problems. We surely have been losing patience with the president, hungry for him to take a firm stand on issues both domestic and foreign. And we have spent many years in the international wilderness, suffering the hatred and disdain of numerous other nations despite the fact that the United Sates has spent trillions (not to mention the cost in American lives) over many years defending and protecting them -- trillions we could sorely use right now.

I do not know the inner workings of the Nobel committee, but could it be they sensed that the "empire" needs help? Coming from Norway, one of the world's wealthiest countries that has focused for a long time on social welfare for its own citizens, perhaps they recognized the stumbling giant needed a lift. Maybe they noticed that Americans are feeling hopeless and wanted us to know they haven't given up on us, want us to feel appreciated, to continue doing our good work and to recall what makes us unique -- to lend us a hand in our hour of need.

Obama is our avatar symbolizing America's special place in and contributions to the world, qualities we, its citizens, have been losing hope of ever reclaiming: The American ability to move things forward, to think in new ways, to open our minds, to be optimistic, to persist in the face of ever-daunting odds.

In particular, it's possible the Nobels want to encourage us to foster peace within our own borders. Interestingly, Obama, himself, alluded to this in his remarks (though I don't think he has fully internalized it yet) when he said

"We can't accept a world in which more people are denied opportunity and dignity that all people yearn for: the ability to get an education and make a decent living, the security that you won't have to live in fear of disease or violence without hope for the future.

I'm also aware that we are dealing with the impact of a global economic crisis that has left millions of Americans looking for work. These are concerns that I confront every day on behalf of the American people."

I am feeling moved and touched. The Nobel Committee has not lost faith in America. And neither should we.

Comments

[shermanoffice]

08:40 PM on 10/12/2009

A thoughtful and provocative piece. What you say makes sense, though I fear that the U.S. may have passed the point of no return in terms of its ability to again be a leading light. Do the American People have the capacity to civically engage and, even if we do, is there a way to overcome the constant, conflict-driven mass media? Moreover, can the American People accept being one among several Great Powers rather than THE Great Power?

One of President Obama's most attractive characteristics is his humility, which seems to be a characteristic that we used to have, as a People -- David Brooks wrote about this recently -- but no longer possess. Several years ago, the sociologist Christopher Lasch wrote about our "culture of Narcissim."

So, I guess my ultimate question is this: Have we become so enamored of ourselves, both individually and collectively, that we have lost the ability to empathize (dare I say it) and engage in what MLK used to call "beloved community."?

[ncmom54]

01:33 AM on 10/11/2009

very nice... a much needed perspective for a weary people

[RiceStarz]

04:25 PM on 10/10/2009

Beautifully articulated and ever so true. I knew this when I returned to the states to help get Prez elected after being away for 10 years. He had to win in effort to save America from ourselves and the last administration. For all the days I could not venture out and speak my American English, I am grateful to the American people and the NPP committee for electing our Prez and making him a winner, not only here but around the world as well. Thank you ever so much.

[peacegurl48]

03:51 PM on 10/10/2009

We can only hope that our leaders work to make this honor, and challenge, a reality. ..it was truly a message to America.

[TankGirlz]

03:29 PM on 10/10/2009

Encouragement, for wanting to move forward..what a silly idea...

Yes We Did Win The Nobel Prize congrats to US

[jhamm1]

03:26 PM on 10/10/2009

"We are universally disappointed and disgusted by our senators and representatives, and exhausted by their name-calling, corruption and inability to work together to solve our most pressing problems."

Speak for yourself, for we should absolve ourselves of any further incentive to work with Republicans ever again, as for the last 8 years, they have demonstrated that they lack purpose without wars and conflict, and if no battles exist with which to flex our military muscle, then by God, they'll start one themselves.

I say, bring on the name-calling, and persistent calls for the GOP to "go to h3ll", for the biggest danger to world peace is neither al-Qaeda nor the waning global supply of dictatorships, but the Republican Party.

[DorianBrandon]

02:44 PM on 10/10/2009

Very insightful argument.