Posted on 01/09/2009 3:13:27 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
EVANSTON, Ill. --- For every Obama T-shirt, Obama handbag and pair of Obama pajamas created in this country, there are Obama collectibles created in Africa. And the Herskovits Library of African Studies at Northwestern University -- the largest library of Africana anywhere in the world -- is intently collecting them.
Northwestern’s Herskovits Library has assembled what is undoubtedly the largest collection of Obama T-shirts, CDs, buttons, bumper stickers, artwork, posters and other materials created in Africa. And, just in time for the inauguration, it has expanded an exhibition of items from its Africa’s Response to Obama collection and extended it through Feb. 27.
Packages of Obama items from Africa arrive almost daily at Herskovits Library curator David Easterbrook’s office. As early as 2007, he put out the word to scholars, students and African contacts that he was collecting materials to document the African response to Obama’s candidacy and election. A recent BBC Africa interview he did about the collection prompted a steady stream of Obama merchandise and media.
Among his favorite items in the collection are a traditional, hand-carved Obama mask purchased from a wood-carver’s stall in Gambia; a bottle of “President Lager” beer from East African Breweries (which produced “Senator” beer upon Obama’s 2004 election to the Senate); a “dead ringer” Obama portrait from a Nairobi street vendor; and an illustration of Obama in Superman duds (imagine a red O in place of the S) beside the words “The U.S. Slays its Demons.”
While libraries typically don’t collect pop culture artifacts, they are an important part of the Herskovits Library. “Obviously we document African history and culture at the scholarly level, but future scholars will want to see how Africa responded to the Obama election at a popular level.” The library holds extensive ephemera from 20th century African independence movements and about the life and work of Nelson Mandela.
“These popular materials tell us a great deal about African history and culture,” says Easterbrook. “In fact, the Nelson Mandela Foundation requested some of our materials to help them in planning the international celebration of Mandela’s 90th birthday.”
For more information about the Africa’s Response to Obama collection, call (847) 467-5918. For library hours, call (847) 491-7658.
When you go to Barnes & Noble or some other book stores, you will find a religious shrine dedicated to St. Obama. I cringe whenever I pass those shrines.
I take Obama books and hide them, myself.
What for? He was elected precisely because he didn't do anything. He didn't author any important bill (hence he's a bipartisan), he didn't recognize any problem on people surrounding him ("not the xxx I knew"), he doesn't want to have anything to do with war on terror, and so on...
With regard to this clown it is hard to keep a mature and civil tongue.
...can’t wait for the “hut” his brother lives in to be the next “in” toy
How are u going to do it when they are actually put on a specific table with a big sign "anything 0bama", usually close to the entrance? I live in HI, and boy... some local T-shirts companies make various 0bama-related T-shirts... Local newspapers have dedicated space for anything related to him, especially when he took vacation couple weeks ago... They invited people to share their stories with 0bama... Local TV stations do the same thing with their news... etc...
I’m 6 feet tall and weigh 350 lbs. Any other questions? LOL
I developed an 0bama stapler, CD rack, tape dispenser, knife sharpener, hair dryer, eyebrow trimmer, caulking gun, anti-static car duster, D-cell batteries, blender, exhaust fan, ground effects for a 1986 Lincoln, and thumb tack. Where may I send them to be enshrined for humanity’s sake? Business is a bit slow on eBay.
There’s money in this somewhere.
We need to build a cult, shrine, marketing campaign or something on the Cult of 0bamessiah. Then, we ask adherents for their cash for some random bit of hagiography / stigmata / hair cutting remnant.
Hmmmm......
Thinking of a business model.....
I can't wait for the hut that he was born in, in Kenya, to be the next "in" toy.
Maybe they can find his birth certificate?
Is the bed he was born in on display?
Uh, no, they haven’t found the manger yet.
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