Spring Break
Obama takes step toward King's dream
Students say president impacts American youth positively
By: Madiha Rizvi
Issue date: 2/2/09 Section: News
Barack Obama is a man who can be best be described as resilient, thoughtful, measured and deliberate, said Leroy Dorsey, an associate professor and associate department head of communication.
"A rhetorical leader is someone who is competent intellectually and in character," Dorsey said. "We have chosen leaders in the past who have character, but not necessarily intellectual powers. We finally got a choice that seems to find the right middle ground between intellect, competence and power."
Students have said Obama serves as a pioneering leader of America and that his accomplishments make it seem as if there is no barrier to reaching the top.
"What I learn from Obama is that even through adversity [his childhood], you can accomplish goals. If you see someone else doing it, then you believe it is possible," said Nathaniel Opara, a junior political science major.
Some students said Obama will continue to make an impact on children of all ages and races long after he is out of office.
"For generations to come who are going to college, this is going to cause them to think more deeply about their future," said Ashley Cook, a junior chemistry major.
Some student leaders said it is their responsibility to serve and better the lives of others, and they understood this notion better by looking to Obama.
"Obama teaches me to lead by example. your actions and words represent you," said Stephen Lillie, chair of Black Student Alliance and a senior finance major.
He said Obama's quality of poise helped him pave history and serve as an example for him to follow. However, it is harder for students to emulate this trait because of the everyday excitement and frustration.
Dorsey said that although Obama does not represent the actualization of Martin Luther King's dream, his appointment to office is a significant step forward.
"We are not in an ideal stage of King's dream," Dorsey said. "His dream means the whole country transforming itself, and no question to who was a real American."
The dream will be complete when the primary value of community is to come together for the greater good, said Dorsey.
"It is to balance the value of individualism and being true to oneself, but not to an extent of greed where corporations have caused an economic meltdown. On the other hand, one should not partake in behaviors that rob an individual of his individuality," he said.
A&M has been criticized in the past for its lack of diversity and treatment of minorities. To deal with this reputation, Dorsey said the University should work at bringing every aspect of the school together in a united community with a more focused goal.
The University should not only give recognition to the departments with good practices, Dorsey said, but the whole University. In this manner, other departments can emulate the practice, and all the dots are connected to form one critical mass.
"A rhetorical leader is someone who is competent intellectually and in character," Dorsey said. "We have chosen leaders in the past who have character, but not necessarily intellectual powers. We finally got a choice that seems to find the right middle ground between intellect, competence and power."
Students have said Obama serves as a pioneering leader of America and that his accomplishments make it seem as if there is no barrier to reaching the top.
"What I learn from Obama is that even through adversity [his childhood], you can accomplish goals. If you see someone else doing it, then you believe it is possible," said Nathaniel Opara, a junior political science major.
Some students said Obama will continue to make an impact on children of all ages and races long after he is out of office.
"For generations to come who are going to college, this is going to cause them to think more deeply about their future," said Ashley Cook, a junior chemistry major.
Some student leaders said it is their responsibility to serve and better the lives of others, and they understood this notion better by looking to Obama.
"Obama teaches me to lead by example. your actions and words represent you," said Stephen Lillie, chair of Black Student Alliance and a senior finance major.
He said Obama's quality of poise helped him pave history and serve as an example for him to follow. However, it is harder for students to emulate this trait because of the everyday excitement and frustration.
Dorsey said that although Obama does not represent the actualization of Martin Luther King's dream, his appointment to office is a significant step forward.
"We are not in an ideal stage of King's dream," Dorsey said. "His dream means the whole country transforming itself, and no question to who was a real American."
The dream will be complete when the primary value of community is to come together for the greater good, said Dorsey.
"It is to balance the value of individualism and being true to oneself, but not to an extent of greed where corporations have caused an economic meltdown. On the other hand, one should not partake in behaviors that rob an individual of his individuality," he said.
A&M has been criticized in the past for its lack of diversity and treatment of minorities. To deal with this reputation, Dorsey said the University should work at bringing every aspect of the school together in a united community with a more focused goal.
The University should not only give recognition to the departments with good practices, Dorsey said, but the whole University. In this manner, other departments can emulate the practice, and all the dots are connected to form one critical mass.
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