Barak Obama is the first African American president of the United States, the country that has a long history of racial discrimination. Some people think that the day when Obama was elected (or at least, his presidency) marked the end of racial discrimination in the country. However, the situation is more complex than that. Moreover, some people claim that Obama’s presidency became a cold shower for thousands of African Americans who expected the introduction of racial justice laws and policies (Joseph). Irrespective of this criticism and even disappointment, it is possible to note that the presidency of Barak Obama is an important milestone that can eventually lead to the era of true racial justice in the United States.
First, it is necessary to note that the fact that an African American was elected is a significant success achieved due to the course of history. Decades of the struggle of people of color resulted in the major shifts within the American society that became more open (Coates). The highly segregated society of the beginning of the 20th century would never accept the fact that African Americans could obtain higher education. Obama (as well as thousands of African Americans) is a graduate of one of the most prestigious educational establishments (Joseph). In the 1960s, people of color could become activists and politicians who had little power, but this trend also changed as more and more African Americans entered the political arena of the United States.
At the same time, it is impossible to claim that Obama’s presidency put an end to racial discrimination. Of course, it is associated with numerous positive changes. For instance, Americans (especially white Americans) got an opportunity to see an African American politician who was an inspirational leader (Joseph). Obama managed to address the challenges of the 21st century effectively and make millions of Americans’ lives better. Nevertheless, Obama disappointed thousands of people of color as he did not introduce enough attention to the problem. He did not introduce policies that could lead to the reign of racial justice. Coates notes that Obama’s attitude towards the problem is partially due to his own experiences. He did not have issues related to racial injustice as he was raised in a comfortable environment of the middle class.
One of the most apparent gaps in Obama’s political agenda is associated with the so-called Black Lives Matter movement. He did not take the side of the African American community that accused police officers of being racist. He tried to understand (and explain to the public) the views of both sides (Cullors). This position is a good illustration of the future of the issue that will persist.
In conclusion, it is possible to note that racial discrimination will still be a serious and complex problem that will require complex solutions. Politicians (as well as the US society) are still unprepared to solve these issues. However, there are many ways to improve the situation and develop the background for the development of a solution. One of the possible ways to address the problem is the encouragement of further diversification of American society. People of different races (and cultural backgrounds) should communicate and collaborate. It can be effective to use anonymity as a tool to ensure an unbiased attitude when it comes to employment, education, and so on. Of course, these measures will not lead to prompt results, but they will make people more prepared for the major change in society.
Works Cited
Coates, Ta-Nehisi. “My President Was Black.” The Atlantic, 2017.
Cullors, Patrisse. “Obama Says Black Lives Matter. But He Doesn’t Ensure They Do.” The Guardian, 2016. 2017.
Joseph, Peniel. “Obama’s Effort to Heal Racial Divisions and Uplift Black America.” The Washington Post, 2016.