The institution of the “Barack Obama Day” in Illinois is beyond bizarre. I was born and grew up in a totalitarian state, and naming shit after people, especially people who are still alive, creeps me out. I can see naming a street where an artist lived it was born after them. But only after they pass away and stay passed away for a while. There’s no way of knowing whether the artist’s work will survive the rest of time otherwise.
If we are talking about a historic figure of once-in-generations proportions, like Martin Luther King Jr for instance, I can see it but again, only after they died, and it’s got to be a tragic, violent death, too.
Any naming after people outside of these conventions smacks of personality worship and is unhealthy. I love Obama but eww to Obama Day.
Clarissa's Blog 
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