A Kinder and Gentler America

As one who has always promoted nonviolence, I believe the United States has convinced the world that it is the Superpower in terms of its military strength. It must now prove that it can also be a Superpower in terms of its moral strength. We need to remember that our security is linked to the security of the world in every sense.

The election of President-elect Barack Obama, a man who has emerged from poverty, destitution and oppression, is a historic event. He is ideally suited to project a kinder, gentler image of the United States, just as President John F. Kennedy did all too briefly in the 1960s.

I was a journalist for The Times of India then and I remember vividly the euphoria generated by his election, his inaugural speech and then the devastation of his assassination. Educated and uneducated, poor and rich all venerated Kennedy as though he was the Monarch of the World and when he was killed everyone cried as though they had lost a close family member.

Today, President-elect Barack Obama has generated the same enthusiasm and hope. He must assure the world that we want them to love America and not fear its power of destruction.

By Arun Gandhi  |  November 5, 2008; 12:02 AM ET Save & Share:                 
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