President Obama Bows to Asia – Symbolism Matters
Posted by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 15-11-2009
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President Obama Bows to Japanese Emperor (AP)
President Obama stands 6’1 but you wouldn’t have known it had you seen the double over bow he greeted the Japanese emperor with during his visit to Asia. The imagery of this moment was striking.
Although Obama was not bowing to Chinese emissaries, the image of an American President bowing in Asia plays into the image many in the region, most notably China, already have of him; that he is a weak American President.
A slight bow is an indication of courtesy. A bend-over is over-compensation. It hints of a man not secure with his position or his power.
It is especially disturbing when you consider that President Obama refused to greet the Dalai Lama during his visit to D.C. and that the Chinese hold the majority of U.S. debt.
What America needs now is a President who evokes the superpower attributes of America, not one who bows down….or bends over.
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Yvette,
Don’t you think Americans are over reacting to this issue? I mean, he is not the first president to bow to an Asian dignitary. Clinton, Nixon and Carter all did it. I think it’s a sign of America’s growing paranoia about their falling role in global leadership that they over react to such a thing.
Samora,
I think that there is a calculated overreaction by those who oppose President Obama. However, those like myself, see that President Obama is falling into a trap by creating images that symbolize weakness.
You’re right, he’s not the first President to bow to a dignitary, however, his bow was too deep. America is in the midst of a recession, two wars, and a financial crisis and as you mentioned, our leadership role is waning (especially with the ascent of China and the falling dollar).
We are not what we once were. That’s not to say though that our President needs to crystallize our weakness with his behavior. He looked as if he were begging for something and maybe that was his disposition since he was en route to meet our bankers (China) but to me, it was unseemly of an American President. Just my .02 cents
Yvette
Yvette
I really feel that Americans are over reacting. It is expected that maybe it is an emotional reaction to the recession, the weak economy and the falling dollar. However, at the height of the recession (Immediately after the Lehman Crisis), American Treasury Bonds were yielding 1/20th of a percentage point. That points to the faith that the rest of the world places on the American economy. Maybe the bow was too deep, but America’s economy will remain the most resilient and dynamic.
Samora,
I would definitely concede that America may be overreacting – somewhat. But because of our economic situation, we are in need of a strong leader who will make the necessary and inevitable adjustments to our economy and foreign policy. Although Obama’s bow was not a huge deal, it was a visual que which suggests that he may not be the right person for the job.
Culturally, Americans respond to strength. In our recent history, this has gotten us into trouble and prevented us from making sober, intellectually solid decisions. However, consumers won’t become re-engaged in the market unless their confidence is restored. If that’s the job of the President, then Obama’s failing.
I must say that I never knew that American Treasury Bonds were yielding 1/20th of a percentage point. Interesting.. and I do hope you’re right about the resilience of America’s economy. It’s good to hear that from someone with a more global perspective …because it certainly doesn’t feel that way from the inside, at least not yet anyway.
Yvette