Politics and Race in the Age of Obama: A Long and Winding Road

The election of Barack Obama as the first African American president of the United States was a watershed moment in American history. It marked a significant shift in the country's racial politics, but it also exposed deep divisions that continue to plague the nation.

The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama

by Gwen Ifill

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	710 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	217 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Obama's election was seen by many as a sign of progress on race relations in the United States. It was a powerful symbol of the country's growing diversity and the increasing acceptance of African Americans in positions of power.

However, Obama's presidency also highlighted the persistence of racial inequality in the United States. The country grappled with issues such as police brutality, mass incarceration, and voter suppression, all of which disproportionately affected African Americans.

The election of Donald Trump in 2016 further exposed the deep divisions in American society. Trump's campaign was fueled by racial resentment and white nationalism. His election emboldened white supremacists and other hate groups.

The Trump administration has rolled back many of the policies that had been put in place to address racial inequality. It has also appointed judges who are hostile to civil rights. The result has been a resurgence of racial tensions in the United States.

The election of Joe Biden in 2020 was seen by many as a rejection of Trump's racism. Biden has vowed to address racial inequality and to unite the country. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to bridge the deep divisions that have been exposed in recent years.

The History of Race and Politics in the United States

The relationship between race and politics in the United States is a long and complex one. The country was founded on the principles of equality and freedom, but it has also been plagued by racism and discrimination from its inception.

The first Africans were brought to the United States as slaves in the early 17th century. Slavery was a brutal system that dehumanized African Americans and denied them their basic rights.

After the Civil War, African Americans were finally freed from slavery. However, they continued to face discrimination and segregation. Jim Crow laws were passed in the South to keep African Americans separate from whites.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s led to the passage of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws outlawed discrimination and gave African Americans the right to vote.

However, racial inequality persists in the United States today. African Americans continue to face discrimination in housing, employment, and education. They are also more likely to be arrested and incarcerated than whites.

The Political Landscape in the Age of Obama

The election of Barack Obama in 2008 was a major turning point in American racial politics. Obama was the first African American to be elected president of the United States.

Obama's election was seen by many as a sign of progress on race relations in the United States. It was a powerful symbol of the country's growing diversity and the increasing acceptance of African Americans in positions of power.

However, Obama's presidency also highlighted the persistence of racial inequality in the United States. The country grappled with issues such as police brutality, mass incarceration, and voter suppression, all of which disproportionately affected African Americans.

The election of Donald Trump in 2016 further exposed the deep divisions in American society. Trump's campaign was fueled by racial resentment and white nationalism. His election emboldened white supremacists and other hate groups.

The Trump administration has rolled back many of the policies that had been put in place to address racial inequality. It has also appointed judges who are hostile to civil rights. The result has been a resurgence of racial tensions in the United States.

The Future of Race and Politics in the United States

The election of Joe Biden in 2020 was seen by many as a rejection of Trump's racism. Biden has vowed to address racial inequality and to unite the country. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to bridge the deep divisions that have been exposed in recent years.

The future of race and politics in the United States is uncertain. However, it is clear that the country is still grappling with the legacy of racism and discrimination. The election of Barack Obama was a major step forward, but there is still much work to be done.

The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama

by Gwen Ifill

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	710 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	217 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE