Do What I Say...and what I do

Senator Barack Obama travelled to Africa in recent months on a trip that mixed business, as well as a chance for him to return to his hometown with his wife, daughters and sisters.  The Passionate Eye (a CBC program) aired a documentary about his trip.  There is a brief synopsis at http://www.cbc.ca/passionateeyesunday/feature_230308b.html. 

This is just a very quick entry to highlight that he is one leader who leads with words and with actions; one example being that he was tested for HIV/AIDS with his wife, publicly, in Kenya. In a country where 6.7% of the population has AIDS and there are 1 million children orphaned by AIDS, the importance of testing cannot be understated. Too many people, too many children have gotten sick, and testing is a major means of fighting back. As Obama said, “knowing my HIV status puts me in charge of my health.”  It also puts people in a position to seek treatment, and to slow the spread.  “If a US senator and his wife can get tested, than everyone in this crowd can.”   Countless Kenyans were interviewed, all who said the value of Obama’s action was significant: one person said “if Obama got tested, I want to get tested too”.  An aid worker said “Obama taking test here is such an encouragement to the population, especially the men, who don’t often come for tests.” 

Visiting a microlending project, he said “What’s missing is not good or a powerful work ethic, but what’s missing is access to capital.” For a leader of a developed nation to say this is for the West to acknowledge what is needed isn’t know-how, but money to facilitate projects.  As well, he paralleled this to needs in America, something else that is unprecedented. 

In a Darfurian refugee camp on the Sudan/Chad border, Obama said “I’m just visiting the camp to find out how people are doing”.  He listened to people at the camp, as well as the leaders, all of whom were men. After meeting with them, he said “I believe very strongly that women’s rights have to be protected. I think it’s very important than even when the UN force is put in place that women are protected from violence in the ways that have happened in the past.” 

All of these show that Obama has thought about the issues that are facing Africa, and that he wants to understand them. It isn't just about what's politically salient and if its Black History Month or World Water Day or another celebrity has said we need to do something about Africa. Obama has a solid head on his shoulders, but also a heart for people.  This is the kind of leader I want as a role model for society. One who listens, one with compassion, and one who leads with actions and words. And being the impressive orator he is, if his actions are even half as good as his speaking, he’s still miles ahead of all the others.