Madagascar might be a bit far away from America but US elections fever has also caught Madagascar (the natural consequence might be that Madagascar dance fever will spread in the US after the release of the movie bearing the country's name). A few bloggers weighed in on why they follow the US elections so passionately and what an Obama presidency means to them:
Jentilisa writes in depth about the fascination with the American Dream. As a case in point, he points towards a popular TV show opening with the spangled banner and a cartoon where a farmer goes to the voting booth asking if he can vote for Obama. He asks where is the drive to show that much interest in our own flag and our nation(mg):
eharehan'ny Amerikana ery ny sainany fa ny sainam-pirenenao mpamaky io moa mba ankafizinao va? Sa tahaka ny ahoana no atao mba hitiavanao azy?
Everywhere in the USA, you will see people displaying their flags with pride but how about your flag dear reader ? What would it take for you to cherish it as much ?
He adds:
Ny Amerikana Amerikana foana na iza mitondra eo na iza! Mirehareha amin'ny mahaizy azy izy. Manandratra ny kolontsainy izy, miaro ny tombotsoany amin'ny fomba rehetra izy fa ny anao kosa manao ahoana? Toa manao fitan-droa… sadasada ihany fa sady te-ho mpitarika na olona mpitantana ambony eto Madagasikara no mizaka ny zom-pirenena heverina fa miaro ny tombotsoany manokana.
The USA will always be the USA, whoever wins this thing ! They will carry their identity with pride. They will hurt the environment* they promote their culture and protect their interest but how about your own interest? It seems that it’s a bit fishy…they want to be the leader of the world and at the time support the development of Madagascar, yet also look out for their particular interest in the region.
 As the results of the election became official, many Facebook users reacted. Alain Rasendra offers his take (fr):
Grant Park m'a mis la larme à l'oeil. C'est l'Amérique que nous aimons tous, avec son leadership rassembleur et mobilisateur. Bravo à tous les Américains d'offrir au monde ce wind of change.
Grant Park got me all teared up. This is the America that we all like, a mobilizing and uniting force. Congratulations to all americans for offering this wind of change.
Sandy Rarivoson observes (fr):
voici venu l'ère des métis
The era of racial mixes is here
Thierry Andriamirado says not the case in Madagascar though (fr):
Si je ne me trompe les métis n'ont clairement pas le droit de se présenter aux élections présidentieles à Madagascar, d'après la Constitution en vigueur.. bah au moins je suis tranquile, mes enfants ne se lanceront donc pas dedans.
If I am not mistaken, according to Madagascar, biracials are not allowed to run in the presidential election in Madagascar. At least, I am at peace, my kids will not get into all that.
Other Malagasy netizens explained why they have followed the election so closely and what an Obama administration would mean to them:
Hasina Noel posts on his Facebook profile:
This proves to the world that the U.S is still one of the greatest country in the world. Something like this will be almost impossible in any other countries.
I would say that I hope that the whole world would have a new vision of our race, black people.
(*correction: translation corrected by reader Rado)
3 comments
I’ve been in NY for 10 years. It’s the first time I’ve seen this much excitement over an election. It’s the first time I have voted as a new US citizen. And of course, I voted Obama. I got turned off by all the negativity and puerile claims from the republicans.
Correction to the poster’s translation:
“They will hurt the environment and protect their interest but how about your own interest ?”
“Manandratra ny kolontsainy izy” translates to “they promote their culture” not “they will hurt the environment”.
Mr. Obama has now crossed the first hurdle but time will tell if he will live up to the expectations of fellow Americans, but I feel if he has an ambission deep in his heart as he spoke he can do it with the majority that the American people has given him.
having listened about his upbringing I have a gut feeling that we are indeed going to see a lot of ups
I woke up this morning at 5 AM to witness first hand the outcome of a critical election, in a country that, despite its persistent dysfunctions, still remains a beacon of hope, and has shown once again that paradigm shifting can become a reality…
President Obama will NOT be able to do it by himself!
But hopefully, his leadership and vision of what America is and can be will rally enough U.S citizens, and others from all around the globe, to forge a better world for all.
In our country, as in America, if not more, the challenge is to get enough people to attain a decent level of understanding and information to work together towards building this future we all desire so much.
Our biggest challenge is poverty and all it’s little friends…
In short: “Ask not what Obama can do for you…”
By the way, much to my neighbors dismay, and funny enough, fear… I fly my Red, White, and Green flag every single day of the year!