Some comedians are having a bit of fun at President Obama’s expense because he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Did they expect him to reject the award?  Candidates for the prize do not nominate themselves. So why target Obama and not the committee?  Because it will get more laughs? 

For example, “Saturday Night Live’s” Seth Myers said something like, “You [Obama] have a lot on your plate … but it’s time to eat brother!” Yes, Obama has a lot on his plate, and that is how change starts. You have to address the issues, and he is doing that. But change does not occur overnight; it can take years or even decades.

Take Civil Rights: It took 99 years to make the necessary legal and constitutional changes. And even though the constitution has been amended, societal change still lags and discrimination still exists. Change takes time. 

Obama put important issues on the agenda that had been neglected by others; he is an innovator. Perhaps that is one of the reasons he was honored with the prize.

–Karla Hanson

Senior history major