Hopeful Realism -- Realistic Hope

Enough of the debates about Obama's messiahism. He doesn't claim the mantle, and we need not put it on him. There is much, however, to be hopeful about in the midst of difficult times. We need, as Martin Marty points out both hope and realism. That Obama understands this very thing is found, Marty believes in Obama's own internalization of the thought of theologian and social ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr.

"Realistic hope" is a caution against utopianism, naive idealism, the claiming of bragging rights, or politically "not knowing to come in out of the rain." As author, community organizer, law school professor, state and U.S. senator, and presidential primary candidate, Senator Obama tirelessly invoked and promoted hope--and always coupled his invocation and promotion with cautions We hear it all the time: righting wrongs and charting new courses in a dangerous world and with a destroyed economy allows no chance to relax and sit back.

Niebuhr liked to quote Psalm 2:4, where the Psalmist witnesses to a God who sits in the heavens and laughs, and holds the pretentious and conniving powerful "in derision." Yet he kept reminding us that the same God held people responsible and did not dishonor human aspiration.

There is reason for hope, but we must be realistic about it. It won't be realized over night. It won't come without sacrifice. It may require much of us. And, things may get worse before they get better.

But a major reason why people chose Barack Obama is that he stirred our hopes. He gave voice to a real sense that we need to change the way we do things. He seemed to understand that this is a new day. By that, I mean that we are making a generational change. Just as 1960 and 1980 signalled changes in the way America looked at itself and the world, so 2008 offers the same. The Reagan era is over. Now we look to see what will come next. There is room for optimism, but it will require of his realism. Things are changing, but Niebuhr still seems to have something to say! It appears too that Barack Obama is listening.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Bob,
As you know, I didn't vote for Obama, but I am hopeful about his presidency. As a stand alone individual, he is exactly what we need vs another grey haired white man. I think he is also making the traditional "first timer" mistakes right now and will hopefully learn from them. One being the Nancy Reagan comment and the other sharing the contents of the confidential meeting with Bush. Do these flaps downgrade the man? Of course not! He will be wise to learn from Bill Clinton and his mishandling of staff when he took over the office.

On the "loser" side, I think there are some random grumblings from the way out there, but for the most part, they are saying what they should... produce or we are hear to keep you accountable. Which I think is right and perfect, as long as its not abused.

There will be disappointed parties who supported Obama, I think we are all well aware of this. When you bring soccer moms together with inner city youths.. there will be some mixed agendas. It will be interesting to watch environmentalist vs automaker union.

All said.. I think we are at a good place for our country. All the sides are where they should be, no one is calling for impeachment, and hopefully expectations are being "dialed down" as our leader learns the ropes.

-Chuck

Popular Posts