Finding a newspaper headlining President Obama’s history-making election was a bit easier in China than in the U.S., where my emissaries failed to track down copies of the New York Times, Washington Post, etc. because they all sold out repeatedly.  People wanted a piece of history, and I’m no different — my version just ended up written in Chinese.

Everywhere I’ve traveled in China, I’ve found Obama.  In the back of a Shanghai taxi, I suddenly realized we were listening to a report on the U.S. elections when I heard, “Chinese chinese chinese Obama! chinese chinese chinese chinese Obama! chinese chinese chinese Vir-gin-ee-ah chinese chinese Obama!” on the radio.  I welled up.  That’s my guy, my state, my vote.  My president.

I wondered what Obama’s granny would think if she knew her grandson was on the radio in the back of some random taxi in China.

Most Chinese people care about the U.S. elections primarily in terms of how they’ll affect China’s relationship with America, but I’ve also met a lot of people who are inspired by Obama.  Fly told me that, at great moments in U.S. history, Americans have always picked the right man for the job.  Yes we did.

I think the mosaic illustration is pretty cool — all the pieces are photos of supporters, many holding up “Change” and “Yes we can” signs.  I like that one paper picked a photo of the Obamas kissing (caption: “Obama & his wife celebrate”).  My mom said, “Good for him: he’s not afraid to do that in public.”  Also, can you imagine being Malia Obama?  Not only are you on the front page of newspapers with your dad, the next president of the United States, but you’re there as far away as China.

Here are a few headline translations:

• America’s new boss is Obama
• Obama’s “American Dream” comes true
• Obama wins: President of China congratulates him
• Americans select the first black president; China expects enhanced cooperation with America
• Ten questions for President Obama

“Boss” is such a fascinating choice of words — I checked to confirm the translation.  I’m not sure many people in America would call the president America’s “boss.”  That kind of language for a leader reminds me of some parts of Africa and tells you something about the culture & system here in China.

For “Obama’s ‘American Dream’ comes true,” everywhere I go, I see that the idea of the American Dream has real currency here.  For a society working hard to lift itself up, and for Chinese people who are seeing economic opportunity for the first time, the American Dream is a powerful vision.  Obama really is that dream embodied.  Only in America, you know?

My student Jenny brought me another paper she picked up in Chongqing that I need to add to this set.  Also, one day in Chengdu, there will be enough sun to take a natural light photo of these newspapers against a black or hardwood background, and then maybe I’ll reupload that shot here.

I can’t express how proud these newspapers make me feel.  President Obama!