Have Race Relations Improved Under Obama?

Many are disappointed, but not all blame the president

When Obama was elected, he rode a wave of optimism: the day after his victory, 70 percent said race relations would improve; only 10 percent thought they'd deteriorate.

But less than four years later that's all changed. In April 2012, only 32 percent said race relations had improved because of Obama's election, and 30 percent said they'd gotten worse.

AP spoke to Americans who diverge sharply on the issue. Karl Douglass, a black realtor from Columbus, thinks Obama's election improved things by reducing stereotyping. Douglass says white people seem less surprised to see him in places like an art museum, and "deal with me and my family differently since...a nuclear black family lives in the White House."

But Ed Cattaneo, a white NJ retiree, says Obama has "made [race relations] terrible" by being "anti-white." He sees Obama's statement on Trayvon Martin - "if I had a son, he would look like Trayvon" - as a message to African Americans that Obama takes their side.

Others think Obama has made race relations worse, but through no fault of his own. For instance, Jimmy Carter claimed that some of the intense loathing for Obama is motivated by his race, not his policies.

Via Jesse Washington, the AP.

What's your experience - have race relations improved under Obama?

[Bobolinsky]

Ask Michael Mayday, Mary.

The Ever-Expanding Dictionary of Racist Words
Cocky, flippant, punk, and cool added to words-to-not-use for the President
http://politix.topix.com/race/1226-the-ever-e...

[Bobolinsky]

I don't know about "race relations" but "generation relations" aren't as good as they used to be. At least according to the NYT.

The Entitled Generation

"And it’s not only conservatives beating us with the Woodstock whip. Kurt Andersen, a confessed liberal... started the latest thumping July 4 with an argument that amoral self-gratification is just the flip side of social liberation:“Thanks to the ’60s, we are all shamelessly selfish.”"

"The notion that our generation has been spoiled rotten is not a terribly new thought.'

"But even though the caricature is way too easy, it has stuck, and we all know that it contains more than a nugget of truth. We are an entitled bunch."
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/opinion/kel...

And now in the twilight of their power, Baby Boomers gave us Obamacare which will last about 20-30 years before it bankrupts us. I guess that's good enough for the Baby Boomers. They won;t be around to deal with it...

I don't honestly believe what I just wrote, but sometimes it's hard not to feel that way sometimes.

[drawlings]

They have declined precipitiously.

[DerivePI]

"Translation for Dummies" - Even though a majority of this "white"country voted for a "black" president, did you really expect the liberals to relent on using the race card?

[autiger]

This question is laughable.. This President has polarize the whole country.. Politix, where's the poll that said this President is the most polarizing President?? Including Bush 44... Yep, won't see that on here.

[CanisCanemEdit]

Really? Do we even need to ask this question?

Mr Obama and Mrs Obama and their "staff" have been the most racially divisive people to inhabit the White House.

[Bobolinsky]

If he was here Woodrow Wilson might challenge your claim.

And it a good way, Abraham Lincoln may deserve that title. At least for a few years there.

Not that I disagree with the sentient of your post because I do. It's just what I thought of while reading your post ;)

[Bobolinsky]

Blah... I hate it when syntax errors screw with the meaning of my post... That should read...

"Not that I disagree with the sentiment of your post because I"... Don't disagree with it... " It's just what I thought of while reading your post ;)

[Janniel]

I think that Karl Douglass and President Carter both have valid points. Race relations *have* been more on the forefront since President Obama was elected. As for Ed Cattaneo; I'm not sure what President Obama's statement meant other than what he actually said. I have two sons, and when they were Trayvon's age, they would have looked mostly like him as well, dressed in a hoody, and with the teenaged attitude when approached for doing something that was within their rights. I don't think that either "side" of this issue has a lock on the truth. I also don't believe that President Obama's statement was meant as a clarion call for Blacks to rise up and riot. I do think that President Obama felt pressure from, and sympathy for those who have suffered proven racism and bigotry, and who felt that this incident was a result of same. While one could say that President Obama was speaking from experience, it is also clear that he wasn't taking 'sides'. Nor was he attempting to make political hay out of this tragedy, which I believe some, that chose to take sides, were.

[Bobolinsky]

You said that President Carter has a valid point.

This is the story from 2009 that politix linked in reference to President Carter. It's only a few short paragraphs. If I cut and pasted I'd have to paste the whole thing.

Carter: Race plays role in Obama dislike
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2009/09/...

Aside from Keith Olbermann, Bill Maher, and Janeane Garafalo, that may be one of the most bigoted things I've heard in a long time...

Ok... there are lots of worse ones... But not from a President.

[Kelly]

No

[ir0nw0lfe]

Eloquent answer. Perfect.

[Lobster01]

No it's worse

[katniss641]

The one simple change I have seen is that African Americans are now seeing that Obama is not the person he said he was and is not coming thru on any of the promises he made. A lot of the votes for Obama was because he was black and now it is coming back to haunt the people who did not really check him out.

[tweaver1945]

No, in fact, they have worsened. I imagine that due to the current WH office holder and his shannigans, that it will another hundred years before a African American will be elected to the highest office in this land.

[Stratton]

I think that race relations have been gradually improving for some time. I don't think Obama's Presidency has had much of an impact on that one way or another. As the article notes, Obama has tried (not always successfully) to avoid making racial issues a focus of his Presidency. While there are certainly a small but consistent number of racist attacks against the President, I see no evidence that any of those people weren't racist to begin with.

Ironically, for once I think Hollywood deserves some of the credit for improving the way white people perceive black people. I don't think it's a coincidence that Obama's election came after an immensely popular television show featured a handsome, charismatic, and sympathetic black Senator/President for 5 consecutive seasons.

[Bobolinsky]

I agree Stratton. The trend I'm seeing is among the poor. Among the people I've lived for a long time. I see more mixed race children every year. A trip through my local Wal-Mart is a lesson for anyone. Bi-racial couples are common. Still not the norm but no one bats an eye. It's happening at a base level of humanity that isn't going to be stopped by Obama's campaign of division. This "melting pot" thing we have going here is bigger than any of us.:)

[AMRA]

I'll summarize this in just a few words. "Oh hell no!"

[hwyangel]

Agree. Check this out.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-s1437/te...

S.1437 - Communities of Color Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2011
" ‘(i) racial and ethnic group, including Hispanic, Asian, African-American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Alaskan Native;"

[Wilberhum]

I think improvements in race relations is what allowed an African American to be elected President. I expected little or no improvement because an African American was elected President. But race relations still have a long way to go. But since negative racial slurs have become so politically incorrect, the bigots have resorted to lies about his religion and birth.

[gammler]

Obama's Presidency has been a failure. I think it goes without saying that race relations have gotten worse. Eric Holder's refusal to act in the intimidation of Philadelphia voters sort of put the icing on the cake.

[walterfm]

Many racists have come out of the closet, that's for sure. I suppose that's a good thing. You can't fight what you can't see.

[BrownEyedGirl3]

Worse! Much worse!!!

[oldschool]

The Teaparty and the GOP do nothing congressman are nothing more than modern day KKK

[IMAQT]

Well I guess if you don't have an adult opinion, you can always throw out the race card.

[mars2112]

I agree with IMAGT. I oppose Obama because he is a democrat, just like the democrats opposed Bush because he was a Republican. So, I guess that makes us even.

[Thunderchicken]

Kool-Aid!! Getchur Kool-Aid.

Seriously though, maybe you should attend a local Tea Party event. They're no where near as crazy as the media makes them out to be.(Unless you think fiscally responsible, constitutionally oriented, small government is crazy.)

As for the "GOP do nothing congressman" they've passed about thirty jobs bills that have died in the Senate. I'd say that's more than the Senate has done.

[FollowTheMoney]

My race relations are completely unaffected. How exactly does one measure " race relations " anyway.

I opened a door at the store yesterday for a black lady. Does that count? and if so, how do I tally the action? Who do I report to. Oh yea, she said: " thank you". does that count as well?......... Race relations...pfsssst......give me a break. This nothing more than fodder for race mongers like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.

[mars2112]

No, he hasn't improved a thing, infact he has made it worse. Every time the democrats, with Obama's blessing, start throwing the race card around, his chances of a winning a second term diminish. Calling people racist who aren't is no way to win hearts and minds.