Explaining Obama-mania to Your Kids

by Rachel Campos-Duffy (Subscribe to Rachel Campos-Duffy's posts) Jan 20th 2009 8:00AM

Since the election, I have tried very hard to help my kids understand that as Americans, we must respect the office of the President and that even though mom and dad didn't vote for him, Barack Obama, is "our" President and Michelle is "our" First Lady. Today I reminded the kids that we are Americans first and this is our inauguration party, too!

That's why I was excited to spend a cold weekend with the kids watching the historic lead-up to the inauguration -- a kitchen civics lesson over cookies and hot chocolate.

Sadly, the over-kill coverage and non-stop Obama-mania has made it a little difficult for me to put this celebration in perspective for my children, who are experiencing their first inauguration. Heck, even the Brits are tut-tutting all the pomp and ceremony!

Certainly, I want my kids to understand the significance of MLK's dream and it's culmination in our first bi-racial President (my kids are biracial too). Barack's election is the beginning of a post-racial era that all Americans can take pride in and being a bit of a patriotic sap, I'm sure I'll shed a few tears.

But I also want them to know that Americans have always had a very sensible tradition of not placing their trust and hope in any one leader; we trust the constitution, the rule of law and our own hard work and ambition. We sing songs about our ideals, our flag and our country; not about our leaders. Frankly, the murals and t-shirts bearing the image of Obama's face in the style of Che Guevara, Mao and Stalin kind of creep me out.

One of the worst examples of media excess this week was a report by CNN's reporter, Zain Verjee, that compared today's inauguration to the Muslim religious pilgrimage to Mecca -- huh?!?

In light of this excess, I feel compelled to provide a little balance and perspective for my kids as they take in this event. So along with helping them to understand and appreciate this historic moment, I will also teach them that when it comes to our nation's leaders, they are all too human and maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism is a very American thing to do.

Comments (50)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Cortney 1-20-2009 @ 9:08AM

I have read a number of your columns and I think it is all too obvious that you are still slightly upset that McCain didn't win. If he had won and all of the fanfare were for him, would you have a different perspective?

RSW 1-22-2009 @ 8:32PM

I agreed. She is clearly still upset over the McCain loss. Obama's win IS A BIG DEAL! Let our country relish in it and stop all the whining. If she really can't, there's a guy in Texas who I'm sure would live to talk to her.

Mihir 1-20-2009 @ 9:31AM

Cortney, i think that's the point. if McCain had won, there would not be all this fanfare.

Rachael, i have to disagree with you on your statement saying "Barack's election is the beginning of a post-racial era...". It's not the beginning, it's the culmination of a post-racial era.

I'm getting a bit annoyed with people saying now that we have a half-black President, the racial healing can begin. It would seem to me, with Obama's election that the healing began well before.

Jenni 1-20-2009 @ 2:18PM

you are very correct. I wish that every President would get this much attention on this day. No, actually I wish that it was simply the new President being sworn in on the steps of the White House, ready to take over the country. How many hours did we lose in this?

To reference this in anyway to the color of his skin is racist in itself: http://nennisworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/heeeeeeeeeeeeres-jenni.html

This is about man who was elected into office by the majority. Plain and simple.

Amanda 1-21-2009 @ 8:32AM

Mihir,

How do you know that there wouldn't be as much fanfare if McCain had been elected instead? It's probably true that not as many people would have been on the Mall, and that the star power may have been muted. However, if Palin had become VP, it would've have been just as historic, and I believe the media coverage would've been the same and the celebrations would've been just as spirited.

For all of the people on this board who are sour grapes, is it possible for just one day to put aside your differences and feel proud for your country?

Mihir 1-21-2009 @ 9:44AM

Amanda,

I can guarantee the news media would not have been fawning over McCain/Palin as they have over Obama.

I have been proud of this country ever since my parents and I moved here 31 years ago and will continue to be proud. Obama is now my President just as Bush was yours. If Obama does something I loathe to my core, I will still be proud of my country. Can you say the same about Bush's term in office?

The New York Times printed an article a few days ago which stated "It's even cool to wave the Stars and Stripes". (source: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/travel/18hours.html?8dpc)
How's that for pride?

This is not about sour grapes. This is about the media (and others) practically deifying Obama. I was never voting for Obama, but I still watched nearly every one of his big interviews. The amount of fluffy, flowery puff-piece questions could have choked an elephant. Nobody was willing to consistently ask him tough questions. The immediate attacks on anyone daring to question him were a bit frightening. Within 1 week, I knew more about Joe the plumber than I did about Obama. Name one other occasion when such a vicious attack was made on a private citizen for questioning a presidential candidate.

Amanda 1-21-2009 @ 11:20AM

Mihir,

How can you say that the news media wouldn't have fawned over McCain/Palin had they been elected? From the day McCain selected Palin until the election, the media fawned over Palin. They still fawn over her now.

I don't think the media is tough enough on anyone. I will say that the media tends to cover the candidate perceived as "cooler" more favorably. In this election, that was Obama. In the last two, that was Bush. I don't like that they do this, so I try to find independents sources for news coverage.

And just for the record, my pride in my country hasn't waivered, despite my dislike of Bush and disgust with his politics and policies.

LS 1-20-2009 @ 10:02AM

If McCain had won, there wouldn't BE all this nonsense. It would be a pretty low-key Inauguration, much like those that have gone on before... with it's share of pomp and circumstance, but not all the fervor that is included here. This whole thing has gotten WAY out of hand.

EH 1-20-2009 @ 3:53PM

If McCain had won there wouldn't be all this "nonsense" because it wouldn't have been as historic. Today is not a celebration about Obama worship. It is a day of celebration that our Country has elected the first African American (biracial) President. It would have been the same had Hillary been elected for the fact of a woman being elected President. McCain / palin would have generated some "nonsense" celebration because of the potential Palin history making. The civil right's issue for the African American struggle is what we today celebrate as a step forward for all of us.

Today is a day to celebrate being a witness to a positive and memorable day in history....not to be a poor loser of a political party election lost months ago....

And Rachel...I would hardly categorize your children's being biracial to a biracial African American / Caucasian man, such as Obama....quite a stretch considering most of us are mutt's in some form but unless our ancestors were slaves it's a ridiculous stretch.....

By the way....I am a registered Republican who voted for Obama...before the "crazy liberal" tag starts getting thrown at me:)

jen 1-20-2009 @ 10:47AM

If the "over-kill coverage and non-stop Obama-mania " gets to you, why don't you just turn off your TV? Judging from the crowds, etc, most of us are enjoying all this!! Why do't you save your whining for tomorrow and just enjoy a great day in history.

mel 1-20-2009 @ 11:18AM

I voted for Obama. I'm thrilled he won! I couldn't be more excited for change and progress! But...I have to agree with Rachel. The "Obama-mania" is a tad bit creepy. I've heard some media reference him as our saviour. I mean, really! Let's not get carried away!

Jenni 1-20-2009 @ 2:19PM

You have the exactly right idea.

CLM 1-20-2009 @ 11:42AM

Rachel, were it McCain being sworn in today, would you be talking to your children about healthy skepticism?

LS 1-20-2009 @ 12:21PM

She probably would be, since she'd have no choice but to listen to it from all of the talking heads that cover these things.

Emily 1-20-2009 @ 1:59PM

CLM: Healthy skepticism is exactly what needs to be taught, regardless of who is our president. The way this inauguration is being handled, it appears that we no longer are skeptical of our leaders, and instead we fully trust our government to make our decisions for us. I hope people are more sensible than they seem right now and will in fact keep a watchful eye on our president, as they should with any president.

Jenni 1-20-2009 @ 2:21PM

Rather than blindly follow! Yes! That's what gets this country in trouble; blindly following the leaders rather than questioning, informing ourselves, and making our representative work for us!

This country is a government for the people, not a people for the government. They work for us and we have to remind them of that!

CLM 1-21-2009 @ 8:54AM

I have NO issue with healthy skepticism. I think it's entirely appropriate. My question was, given Rachel's patently obvious biases, whether SHE would discuss healthy skepticism with her children were it McCain being sworn in as President.

EK 1-20-2009 @ 2:51PM

I agree that whatever your political beliefs are, this is truly a great moment in history. It should be said that the feeling of hope and goodwill is not just here in America, but around the world. That's a far cry from the sentiment when Bush 43 was inaugurated in 2001, which if you remember was filled with protest and aggression. Let's enjoy this moment for what it is, a day of uniting and renewed hope for change in the world and in this great country.

SKL 1-20-2009 @ 6:40PM

Who would dare stage a protest to this inauguration and risk being called racist and worse?

Believe me, there are plenty who are quietly protesting this inauguration - not only here, but globally.

EH 1-20-2009 @ 6:50PM

"Believe me, there are plenty who are quietly protesting this inauguration - not only here, but globally."

That's actually far from true. If you are someone who has travelled outside the US you would know that the US has not been looked upon favorably by the everyday global citizens for many years.

Obama actually has overwhelming global support....but I'm sure their are some quietly protesting with you:)