Democracy, ssebo

"Obama! You come sit on my boda and we go!" I look around over my shoulder. I'm the only one around- on the street corner and Obama's not a name I've come across here in Uganda. I look at the boda man and he grins, gives me a thumbs up "Obama?"

Living in Uganda and seeing which news is filtered in from the international community is a thrilling process- for instance under "InternationaleNews" in the daily paper once, there was an article about a Wisconsin woman who was attacked by dogs in the night that entered through her dog door. But the headlines and support for a black man for the upcoming elections is overwhelming- enough to be called Obama on a street corner.

In a culture where every visitor is family and everyone is related to one another, it's no surprise that Ugandans claim Obama as one of their own. Taxis are seen with slogans such as "Our Man Obama" without any formal endorsement from the democratic candidate. Or a man on the bus asking if I'm voting for "that brother of mine, Obama". As an American, it really drives home the feeling that this election, the events of today, are impacting so much more than our lives in America, but a global community right down to a Ugandan street corner. I vote today not for just me, my family, my nation, but also for the Ugandans that have become my family and friends.

And it the same breath, I feel honored to cast my vote from overseas, that my voice is heard. This rings true in the reaction my Ugandan friends present when I've told them I voted from here. It was an eye-opening process for many Ugandans, watching volunteers fill out absentee ballots.

My friend Julie tells the story of filling her ballot out with her village. She was excited to show them the "democratic process" and explaining the ballot. The day arrived when her ballot reached, she gathered the community and opened the envelope, shaking out the ballot. People were quiet and seemed confused, finally one man spoke up " Where is the money?" Julie laughed, but quickly realized they weren't joking. "What do you get for voting" asked another.

Democracy, ssebo. This is democracy and regardless of how the elections pan out, my voice was heard, but not jsut mine, the people I represent, and leaves me here in Uganda, in the words of Lee Greenwood, proud to be an American.