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therightfangirlST JOHN'S, Antigua (AP) - Antigua's highest mountain officially became "Mount Obama" on Tuesday as the small Caribbean nation celebrated the American president on his birthday and saluted him as a symbol of black achievement.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer presided over the re-christening ceremony at the base of the mountain, unveiling a stone sculpture and plaque honoring the president as an inspiration in the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda and throughout the Caribbean.
"This great political achievement by Barack Obama resonated with me in a way that I felt compelled to do something symbolic and inspiring," Spencer told the crowd of about 300, including several U.S. officials, at the base of the mountain near the island's southern coast.
"As an emancipated people linked to our common ancestral heritage and a history of dehumanizing enslavement, we need to at all times celebrate our heroes and leaders who through their actions inspire us to do great and noble things," Spencer said.
The plaque on the rock sculpture at the base of the mountain reads: "Mount Obama, named in honor of the historical election on Nov. 4, 2008, of Barack Hussein Obama, the first black president of the United States of America, as a symbol of excellence, triumph, hope and dignity for all people."
Spencer announced his intention to rename the mountain, previously known as Boggy Peak, shortly after the election. The gesture reflected the U.S. leader's widespread popularity in the country, where it is common to see Obama bumper stickers and T-shirts.
Still, there was some criticism on talk radio and in the local newspapers. Lester Bird, leader of the opposition Antigua Labor Party, called the change "silly" and said they might as well name it for Michael Jackson. But parliament's approval was not required for the new name to take effect.
The prime minister has also announced plans for Mount Obama to become a national park with a museum and other amenities. The tree-covered mountain has pineapple and mango farms at its base and rises about 1,300 feet (396 meters) along the island's southern coast. Its peak, topped with a radio antenna, offers views of the Caribbean Sea and the island of Montserrat and its active volcano in the distance.
Antigua's reigning calypso monarch, Trevor "Zacari" King, played a rendition of "For You Barack" for a crowd that included American actress Angela Bassett, who wept during the performance, and U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clark, a Brooklyn native of Jamaican heritage.
"It wasn't only about Barack Obama. It was about the history of black people around the world and the struggle and sacrifices that have been done so that he could rise to the position that he is in today," Bassett said.
Brent Hardt, the charge d'affaires for the U.S. Embassy for the eastern Caribbean in Barbados, thanked the government for bestowing a "singular honor" on Obama.
"It's not every day a president has a mountain named after him," he said. "It's a much appreciated tribute to a man who will forever hold a unique place in American history."
A local cultural activist, Dorberene O'Narde, said he generally supports the peak's new name but people must realize remember what others have done for blacks before Obama.
"Although there is nothing but utter respect for the man Barack Obama, I would prefer to see the whole concept done outside the man, the individual. ... We need to go further than that."
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer presided over the re-christening ceremony at the base of the mountain, unveiling a stone sculpture and plaque honoring the president as an inspiration in the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda and throughout the Caribbean.
"This great political achievement by Barack Obama resonated with me in a way that I felt compelled to do something symbolic and inspiring," Spencer told the crowd of about 300, including several U.S. officials, at the base of the mountain near the island's southern coast.
"As an emancipated people linked to our common ancestral heritage and a history of dehumanizing enslavement, we need to at all times celebrate our heroes and leaders who through their actions inspire us to do great and noble things," Spencer said.
The plaque on the rock sculpture at the base of the mountain reads: "Mount Obama, named in honor of the historical election on Nov. 4, 2008, of Barack Hussein Obama, the first black president of the United States of America, as a symbol of excellence, triumph, hope and dignity for all people."
Spencer announced his intention to rename the mountain, previously known as Boggy Peak, shortly after the election. The gesture reflected the U.S. leader's widespread popularity in the country, where it is common to see Obama bumper stickers and T-shirts.
Still, there was some criticism on talk radio and in the local newspapers. Lester Bird, leader of the opposition Antigua Labor Party, called the change "silly" and said they might as well name it for Michael Jackson. But parliament's approval was not required for the new name to take effect.
The prime minister has also announced plans for Mount Obama to become a national park with a museum and other amenities. The tree-covered mountain has pineapple and mango farms at its base and rises about 1,300 feet (396 meters) along the island's southern coast. Its peak, topped with a radio antenna, offers views of the Caribbean Sea and the island of Montserrat and its active volcano in the distance.
Antigua's reigning calypso monarch, Trevor "Zacari" King, played a rendition of "For You Barack" for a crowd that included American actress Angela Bassett, who wept during the performance, and U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clark, a Brooklyn native of Jamaican heritage.
"It wasn't only about Barack Obama. It was about the history of black people around the world and the struggle and sacrifices that have been done so that he could rise to the position that he is in today," Bassett said.
Brent Hardt, the charge d'affaires for the U.S. Embassy for the eastern Caribbean in Barbados, thanked the government for bestowing a "singular honor" on Obama.
"It's not every day a president has a mountain named after him," he said. "It's a much appreciated tribute to a man who will forever hold a unique place in American history."
A local cultural activist, Dorberene O'Narde, said he generally supports the peak's new name but people must realize remember what others have done for blacks before Obama.
"Although there is nothing but utter respect for the man Barack Obama, I would prefer to see the whole concept done outside the man, the individual. ... We need to go further than that."
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Date: 2009-08-05 01:03 pm (UTC)Seriously people, what is it about this guy that gets EVERYONE so ga-ga? Bill Clinton was (and is still) popular, but it was nothing like this. For the life of me I don't understand it. And the constant refrain about what a great speaker he is? All I've ever heard is that stammering! If he at least had that, I'd somewhat understand it. But... not even that!
How I WISH all the Obama supporters on my flist hadn't disappeared. I'd give anything to hear the explanation from real life people that I personally know!
no subject
Date: 2009-08-05 01:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-06 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-05 03:06 pm (UTC)I'm reminded of an old, old skit by Chris Rock (who stumped a wee bit for Obama, but who is actually a longtime libertarian). He talks about how he's always hearing white liberals refer to educated black men as "articulate" and "well-spoken" and goes on about how obnoxious and patronizing, and ultimately racist, it is. He's much funnier about it than I am, of course, but his point is that liberal whites think this is a compliment, but actually implies that most black men are borderline retarded and people like Colin Powell should be congratulated for being able to string 2 sentences together well. :) He also rightly points out that you NEVER hear white liberals refer to other white people as "articulate" and "well-spoken" as though that were something spectacular and extraordinary.
That's what I think of whenever people refer to Obama as "articulate" and "a powerful speaker." Just more white liberal racist patronization.
here :)
Date: 2009-08-05 03:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-05 05:52 pm (UTC)I KNOW! I cringe whenever I hear it. What gets me is that more black people don't speak out against treatment like that. It's not a compliment, it's an insult! I am a Hispanic woman. If someone said this sort of thing to me I would not be happy about it. I certainly would never say it to anyone else. (Because it would never enter my mind to even THINK like that.)
What is wrong with people these days that they cannot see the condescencion inherent in such a statement?
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Date: 2009-08-06 11:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-05 04:52 pm (UTC)