`What does Barrack Obamas election to the presidency of the US mean for race relations in America?

Race Relations and the Election of Barack Obama

On November 4th , 2008 , Senator Barack Obama made history by becoming the first African-American to be elected president of the United States . To say that this represents progress for race relations in America would be a dramatic understatement . After all , the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act were only signed into law a mere four decades ago Therefore , it is safe to say that much of America 's past racial animosity has been significantly reduced

This is very evident in the demographics

of the voters who supported Obama . Obama drew greater support than John McCain in every voting demographic with the exception of voters over the age of 65 . The means Obama 's race did not dissuade voters . He had instilled confidence in them on a variety of issues . Had he been unable to do this , he would never have ascended to the presidency

Probably the most promising indicator can be viewed in a USA TODAY article reprinted in the TENNESSEAN . The article points out a Gallup Poll result that reflects two thirds of the American people believe that race relations in the United States will improve under Obama . This is the highest percentage achieved when polling such an opinion since 1963 (Page

So , it would appear obvious that the election of Obama represents clear progress in the world of race relations . Had race relations still existed at pre-1960 's sentiments then Obama 's election would have been impossible . In...