Does Obama’s Victory Mark the End of Racism in United States?

Does Obama’s Victory Mark the End of Racism in United States?

The history of African-American or also known as Black Americans was started from 16^th century and became one of the most unforgettable moments until now. These Black Americans are the citizens of United States whose ancestors were emigrated from Africa hundred years ago. The migratory movement of African to America was done by the American colonies, the European explores. In 1600s, European traders brought this colored people to America and sold them as slaves to the white people.  The lives of the slaves were tough and miserable, as they did not receive any form of payments for their backbreaking work. Most of the female slaves dedicated their life as domestic helpers in their masters’ house. On the other hand, the male worked as farm laborers who plant and harvest crops. Not all blacks were slaves and these blacks were called as free black. Even tough these particular colored people were not possessed by anyone; they were denied of their rights and were discriminated by the white people because of their skin color. This racial segregation moved Martin Luther King, an African-American clergyman, to fight for racial equality in United States in 1963.  He delivered a powerful speech “I Have a Dream” in his advancement of civil right movement. He spoke about the importance of togetherness for all mankind without looking at their physical appearances. His speech influenced the entire United States and from that moment, the discrimination in public facilities, education and employment were banned.

Currently, race and ethnicity are still one of the major social issue in today’s society. The book Essential of Sociology defines race as differences in physical characteristics and ethnicity means the cultural values that distinguish different groups. Racism, a system of domination that believes one race is more superior to other races does still exist in American’s life. Although the government has proscribed discrimination on race in public, some people could not accept it and they still commit racist behaviors toward particular people. Barack Obama, the 44^th president of United States and the first colored person who become the most important man has created a great movement in African- American history. Some people believe that by electing him as a president will make a significant change on how racial justice should be upheld. The winning of Barack Obama as a president is deemed as the end of racism since his race is the victim of discrimination that seems to have no end line. People hope that racial equality can be achieved through this way so no more segregation in the society. As Barack Obama has been elected, people are looking forward eagerly on how racism issue will be solved in the future. After reading the book and do some researches, it realizes me that the election of Barack Obama as a president does not end the racism in United States completely. 

Obama’s victory means a lot to the nation regarding of racism issue that happens in United States. The winning of a black man as president signals a huge step forward to the post-racial era. Tim Wise, an anti-racist writer, states, ”combination of race-neutral rhetoric and colorblind public policy comprises what [he] call post-racial liberalism” (Wise). He believes it may lead people to a better relationship among the races in all area of life. This is a dream comes true for African-American where race is no longer significant or important in the society. Formerly, colored people had a lower social status and they were not permitted from starting a conversation with white people. But in this current situation, white people are willing to listen to Obama’s. This condition shows that people are no longer looking on others based on their race and skin color anymore. In this context, Obama is the president and the citizens respect him no matter what is his race. 43 percent of white voters voted for Obama according to CNN Exit Poll. This statistic proves that people elect Obama based on his inspiration of his goals and aspirations for the country. There cannot be any more claims that America is racist country after all. The claims that stereotype United States as a racist country is no longer true. This is certainly a new era for African-American to show their ability as colored people who have the same opportunities as white Americans. Race cannot be used as an indicator to judge or even discriminate people.  Obama’s victory has shown that the racial discrimination in America is fading.

However, though Obama has been elected as a president, racial discrimination is still unavoidable. The racist behavior is originated since childhood and Obama’s victory does not stop it from happening. This behavior is learned through the process of socialization of the children and alternatively it will ingrain in their mind. It might be influenced from their family, peers, teachers, the media, and others around them. In 1939, Kenneth Bancroft Clark, an African-American psychologist, introduces a doll experiment to examine children’s attitude about race. Basically, numbers of black children were given two types of dolls, black and white skinned, and then they asked which one is the bad or the nice doll. Surprisingly, most of them would say white doll are beautiful and considered the black as a bad one.  After that, they were given a question, which asked,  “Give me the doll that looks like you.” In answering this question, many children would refuse to pick either doll or just start crying and run away.  Clark concludes that these children "are subjected to an obviously inferior status in the society in which they live, have been definitely harmed in the development of their 'personalities' " (Maddox). Subsequently, in 2009 after Obama’s victory, similar test was conducted and the result was same. This test had proved that racial segregation has occurred since in school’s life. Although United Stated has already led by Black-American president, segregation based on race is still being applied. Racism happens in school and it will grow along together as these children become adults. Later on, once they have kids, their kids will also contribute in racial discrimination either as victim or perpetrator. This endless cycle keep continues unless we stop it during the primary socialization. Obama’ victory does not reduce racism issue in young generation’s life.

It has been almost four years since the election of Barack Obama as a president. It was believed as a turning point that would reduce the racial divides which happens in this multiracial country, United States. At that time, people presumed that it was the moment that has been awaited for Americans to improve their race relations among the citizens. But, sadly, many of Black-Americans do not feel any differences until today.  An exclusive Newsweek poll conducted a survey that asked black and white people about how their perspective changes after this election. The result showed “seventy percent of whites, for example, think that blacks have an equal shot at affordable housing; only 35 percent of blacks say the same. Seventy percent of whites believe that the two races receive equal treatment in the job market; a mere 25 percent of blacks concur. And while more than 80 percent of white people say the cops and courts usually or always treat blacks the same as whites, that number doesn't even clear 50 percent among African-Americans”(Romano). More black people know how is it feel being discriminated by the dominant group while most white do not. The victory of Barack Obama is noticed as a great sign on racial progress in African-American’s history. His winning really means something for the change of the America’s society, but the fact that African-Americans still suffer racism on their race is inevitable. Yet, this race relation issue seems not be improved by the president. Colored people are the victim of racial segregation and they are the one who will determine whether racial issue has ended or not. Based on the survey, they claim stereotyping does still occur. We can’t tell racism is ended if the victim does not say so. Therefore, for the last four years, racism issue in the United States is not getting better.

Obama’s failure in managing economic policies causes American citizens feel unsatisfied with his leadership. The impact of his fault in maintaining the economy of this country could influence the racial relations among the citizens in United States. A congressman representing Dallas said, “since Obama took office, 1.9 million fewer Americans have jobs, gas prices have doubled, a record number of Americans receive food stamps and the healthcare law has made it more difficult for small businesses to hire employees and provide health insurance”(UPI). Primarily, United States was having economic issues while led by white republican president. Then, during the presidential election in 2008, Barack Obama won the election because he belonged to Democratic Party. At that time, people believed that Obama’s presidency would create a new momentum for the nation to change as he came from different political party. Moreover, he had a different racial background that might give a solution how to make this nation becomes better from different perspective, which it gives the feeling that America was over race as well. But, the fact that his policies worsen the economy causes people to address critiques on him. The criticisms definitely will attack Obama from all aspects based on his political party, his leadership and finally his race. People would think there should no more second black president, as the first black president does not leave good impression to the nation. Racism would be reduced if Obama restored the economy and proved that other race can lead the country as well as white people, but it did not happen.

Although he has won, the election of Obama did not close the racial divide between black and white people. From the daily news we can see that racism does still exist in Obama’s presidency. Recently, a white teenager is sentenced to life because of murder case. He pleaded guilty for committing a criminal action that took someone’s live by droving over and killed black man with his car. He and “[his friends] yelled ‘white power’ during the assault”(Severson). The statement made by this young teenager explicitly intimidating other races that alternatively implies that his race is more superior to the black race. But racial divide is no longer goes toward colored people anymore; Obama’s winning now has created a new terminology that called reverse racism. It happens when white people feel they are being discriminated against because of their race. Mona Charen, a conservative columnist for the National Review says, "Did [African-Americans] become racist after electing the first black president?"(CNN). Currently, black people start racism towards white people as racial payback for past injustices. Black people feel more powerful since United States governed by black president and they start to be racist on other race that discriminated them beforehand. The racism issue now is going from both sides. There will always be racial inequalities, but Obama's election did take it one step further. Yet a new type of racism issue, reverse discrimination, arises after Obama’s presidency. These divisions cannot be changed over night, and will never fully disappear. The options are remained the same or gotten worse.

The unfortunate truth is that racism toward black people still exists in American culture until present day. The winning of president Barack Obama has not resulted in closing the "racial divide" in United States. Many African-American are still suffering from discrimination in this millennium years. Racism has existed since childhood as a result of social influences and whoever the president; it will not change anything unless he or she takes a further step about this issues. After that, Obama’s mistakes in making economy worse does not leave a good impression as the first black president in America history. Moreover, his presidency causes reverse racism issue in the society. Through out the years, America has made progress from the days when the government enslaved African-Americans and this country still has a long ways to go to have the true racial equality. The election of President Obama's definitely is a step in closing the racial divide between black and white Americans, but it is only the beginning. There’s still a long way to go to end racism in United States. Therefore, Obama’s winning does not mean that racism is ended.

                                                Work Cited

Blake, John. "Are Whites Racially Oppressed?" CNN. Cable News Network, 04 Mar. 2011. Web. 26 June 2012.

Maddox, Jr., Alton H. "Clark's Doll Test: Obama or Clinton?." New York Amsterdam News 31 Jan. 2008: 12. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 22 June 2012.

Romano, Andrew, and Allison Samuels. "Is Obama Making It Worse?." Newsweek 159.16 (2012): 40-42. Academic Search Premier. Web. 22 June 2012.

Wise, Tim J. Colorblind: The Rise of Post-racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity. San Francisco: City Lights, 2010. Print.

"Hensarling: Obama 'Making Economy Worse'." UPI Top News (2012): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 22 June 2012.