It wasn't because I felt so happy for Obama, or sad for McCain. No doubt it's bad news for McCain, when a moderate Republican of Gen. Powell's stature goes with the Democratic candidate. Here we have one of the most prominent national security and foreign policy experts in the US, who doesn't seem to care too much about the inexperience argument against Obama. Again, my sentiments had nothing to do with the political implications of Powell's endorsement. What touched me so deeply was the way he repudiated the Islamophobic attitude stemming from his own party.
Imagine a little kid with a broken heart who looks right into the eyes of an adult, waiting for the smallest sign of sympathy before she or he can burst into tears. I was like that little kid, yearning for an affectionate signal, because as a Muslim, I felt so ridiculed and repelled over the course of the election campaign. Powell bestowed on me that gesture.
Obama has constantly denied he is a Muslim and disassociated himself from even the slightest cultural experiences with Islam. McCain's friends, on the other hand, clinging to Obama's middle name "Hussein," have insistently tried to paint him with that "disgrace." That broke my heart. And no prominent statesman before Powell was able to show courage, candor and vision of speaking such effectively on this issue.
It's relatively understandable if Obama cannot say, "Even if I'm a Muslim, so what?" given the already widespread obsession about Islam in American society -- as if dealing with prejudice over his skin color wasn't enough. But I find McCain's silence, if not silent consent, less forgivable, since some of his supporters are mainly responsible for bringing up this issue either directly or indirectly.
McCain had his chance to cleanse himself from this sin when an old lady expressed concerns that Obama might be an Arab" at a nationally televised rally. (She most probably meant that he is a Muslim, but confused Arab with Muslim, as many Americans usually do.) What did he say in response? "No, ma'am, he's a decent family man, a citizen, who I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues." Better than nothing, but far from desirable. His answer should have been what Powell said, implicitly criticizing McCain: "What if he is [Muslim]? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is no, that's not America."
Believe me, I have been waiting for such an answer more for people other than myself. Coming from the nasty secularist climate of Turkey, where believers are often insulted because of their faith, I am sort of used to it. What I think hardest about is my little children. I don't want them to experience similar things that my wife and I have suffered from.
Since our family came to the United States of America 11 years ago, we have taken comfort in the cultural and legal traditions of this country which generally cherish and protect diversity. That was until some crazy Muslim terrorists attacked US soil on Sept. 11, 2001. Unfortunately, guilt by association has become a more than a frequent nuisance for Muslims in this country (and in the world) since then.
Powell rightly asked, "Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim American kid believing that he or she could be president?" Apparently, there is in the minds of those who cannot even stand a Christian president with a Muslim-sounding middle name. Just like terrorists, bigots may not represent the majority, but there are enough of them to make life difficult and dangerous. Therefore, it's important to be sure of the person who speaks for America, just like those who speak for Islam.
It's a blessing having people like Powell, who can speak for the righteous in America. Unless Powell's America prevails, however, no matter who wins the presidency, the US will eventually lose. A successful politician might be enough to win the elections, but it takes a real leader to win the future of a country. I hope America can find its true leaders before it's too late.
