Barack Obama, Racial Progress, And the Future of Race Relations in the United States (Report‪)‬

Introduction Barack Obama's presidency is often described as a definitive affirmation of racial progress in the United States and a sign of a more inclusive future (Frank, 2008; Nagoumey, 2008; Herbert, 2008; Swarns, 2008; Dyson, 2008). While it is clear that not everyone agrees with this optimistic outlook and racial inequalities persist in the US, there should be little doubt that the election of America's first Black president, unimaginable just a few years ago, has inspired millions (especially younger generations of Americans) to believe that the country is currently on a path toward what Obama himself referred to in his famous "race speech" as a "more perfect union"--i.e., a new United States of America that will gradually break from its racist history. For this and other reasons, many of Obama's supporters describe him as a "transformational figure" whose presidency represents a "paradigm shift."