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Shakira was interviewed in the Spanish newspaper "El Mundo". http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/01/18/cultura/1232276257.html
Shakira: "I hope that some many Hispanic children would think that they too can become President¨.
1. Why she decided to publicly support Obama,
When Obama was born there were still schools in some parts of the
United States that didn't accept African American children. Fast
forward two decades and the most powerful man on the planet is an
African American. This is a triumph of human evolution. It's a message
of optimism and tolerance that will reverberate throughout the world
penetrating millions of minds. The triumph of Obama is without a doubt
a cause for celebration for all.
2. How she met him:
I haven't met him yet but we've exchanged very positive words.
3. What it means to participate in the swearing in,
It's an honor to be invited by the Presidential Inauguration Committee
and the President-elect to participate in these official ceremonies.
The swearing in of Obama is a triumph for all minorities, african
americans, Latinos, Arabs, Asians, and so many other communities who
live in this country and by way of their daily work make America the
great power that it is. I hope that the triumph of Obama serves to let
all the children of the world know that they have the same rights and
that they can aspire to any level of success that they wish. God
willing many hispanic children are now thinking today that they want to
be president when they grow up when before today that was difficult to
imagine.
4. What songs she'll sing
Songs that are hymns of happiness and optimism. One is called The
Bright Side of the Road, and the other with Stevie Wonder who is one of
the most widely-respected musicians in the country and definitely a
part of a group of fundamental people who contributed to the progress
of this country along with Martin Luther King and many others.
5. What she hopes for from Obama's presidency
Like the beginning of all new phases, one is more concerned with the
wishes of what we want to improve than objective analysis. But among
the things that I like about Obama I would say that he seems by all
counts committed to education, environmental care, and prioritizes a
dialogue to resolve or avoid conflict.
6. What she hopes will change in the relationship between the US and Latin America during his term,
I think that our millions of Latino brothers who live in the United
States are doing a lot for Latin America. Not simply with the money
that they send home every month to their families there but also
because they are helping to place Latin America on the political agenda
of this country.
We are a booming, hardworking, and increasingly committed community.
This country wouldn't function without the Latino community. Obama
wouldn't be president without their support.
I hope that all these factors translate into our president lending the attention that our community and Latin America deserve.
As such I am thrilled to be part of this official ceremony That this
guest wants to say that there are people who understand the weight of
the community that i'll be representing. A community that I am sure
sooner or later, in a not-so-far-off future, will have among them a
future president of the United States.
6:32 PM
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