There was a gem of a quote in today's NY Times coverage of the Obama's state dinner hosting India. The First Lady, talking to some schoolchildren, said:
“Who knows, maybe one of you all sitting at this table, one of our little mentees, will be living and studying somewhere in India — maybe New Delhi or Mumbai or Bangalore,” the first lady said. “Just imagine that. Start thinking about your future in that way. This visit at this table is the beginning of that for all of you.”
While this will send chills down the backs of those who fear Fareed Zakaria's "rise of the rest," I think it's one of those perfect statements that can captivate a young person's mind about worlds far beyond their home towns, exotic cultures that reveal we have as much in common with other nations as not, and the chance to learn and think and do in a world that's becoming more global by the day. I'm looking forward to reading a Times article in 30 years about how one of those kids took Ms. Obama's advice to heart and did something great.
(Picture from August 2008)
