CNN

CCN/ESSENSE MAG, I'm Blk, Man, and 50 yrs. 1. 6 mos is not means noting. 2. President "O", is not Black or White, he is the Leader and Chief of America. 3. If you voted for Obama because he's Black, you was wrong! 4. Vote: You get 1 vote, not a toy!

Come on CNN, really? You're surprised after report after report of new gun owners and hate groups since President Obama took office? Of course things are better than say 1958 but still there are those who simply do not like African Americans. Also, you have to remember, just because someone voted for Barack Obama does not necessarily mean they want him living next door to them.

and I've found more and more whites seem to feel that, now that we have a black President, racial problems are solved and should be swept under the rug, as evidenced by the Supreme Courts shocking disregard toward the Voting Rights Act last week...

What did you expect? IT WILL NOT CHANGE UNTIL YOU CHANGE. YOU'RE THE ONES CARRYING CHIPS ON YOUR SHOULDERS. GET OVER IT. SLAVERY ENDED OVER 160 YEARS AG0.

the survey is right... but misleading. the racial discrimination isn't against black people anymore. Its against old white men. thats documented in several comments on previous ticker items here.

Race relations will not occur as a result of one human being. Each one of us must change our way of thinking and how we live our lives. You cannot expect Obama to change every aspect of your life. I think he is doing an outstanding job and is an excellent role model. Take note.

Shocking!! How else would blacks be able to have there hand out and not work. Anybody who thought this would change has either blind, never been to africa or just stupid. The only minority who cant succeed with out the goverment!

Americans only come in one color... red, white and blue.

But you have more change in your pocket, right?

So why would anyone think that because Obama is president that race relations would be any better?! Racism starts from within and only that racist person can change their thoughts.

Sounds like the only thing they are grading his performance on is his skin. P.S. He is an Arab American; not African American. Duped again...look it up.

I've been to some events where people from different ethnic backgrounds and races have attended. I've noticed that some black people attending those events seem to be comfortable interacting with caucasian, latino & other races. I see that as an improvement.

Just the other day I attended a dance and a caucasian guy greeted me by fist bumping. I had never been greated that way, but I knew it was a kind of a welcoming sign to me from him.

I've also noticed a few more interacial couples, where one is black and the other one is caucasian. That translates into more acceptance of people of other races.

That's all folks,
Jose

Talk about instant gratification! it will be a long time before we see race relations improve more. The man has only been in office five months. People, be patient!

Right now, Obama's election has angered white supremicists. They are stil in a state of shock and the election was 7 months ago!

Will you people quit crying?!? 96% approval rating, thats just blind, get educated on the situation before you are polled, please!

What do they want? EEO, affirmative action, welfare, a Black president, all-Black colleges, preference in college admissions and government contracting, what more is there we can give the Black community? No group in history has been handed so many advantages yet whined so loudly. They are in for a rude awakening when Hispanics become the majority and they realize how many advantages they were given by White politicians.

This comes as no surprise. Truth be told, what we in the African American community have seen is more examples of racist behavior since President Obama took office, the majority of it aimed directly at the President. (Under the fake explanation that he is on a liberal spending spree...)

Why would any of us think that race relations have improved when we witness a constant double standard mentality. You know, that expectation for President Obama to perform at 150% every single day, compared to the former President's 80% (and I'm being generous.) on his best day.

That's the same standard most African Americans are held to in the work place day in and day out. Sorry if that offends some folks but frankly, unless you've walked a mile in our shoes...

So no, race relations haven't changed.

But I thought I wouldn't have to pay for anything anymore!?

At what point will the African-American community finally take responsibility for itself and its failures?

When you think you're a victim, you are a victim.

The white community doesn't make the black community dislike achievers deriding them as "sell outs" and "Uncle Toms" because the achievers are trying to better themselves through hard work. The white community doesn make blacks look up to local gangsters, drug dealers, entertainers and professional athletes as "role models" rather than people successful in business, science, arts and politics including the President of the United States. The white community doesn't force black women to have babies out of wedlock at rates far, far above the national average.

Before other posters jump to call me a racist, the words I posted above come from a speech by Bill Cosby.

If blacks want better race relations, they need to look in the mirror for the solution.

96%, which means that every Black American who voted for President Obama still approves of his performance. And more than 1 in 2 of them surveyed, as compared to 1 in 3 before, believe that race relations have gotten worse since President Obama has taken office. Interesting, to say the least! Is it he and his White House advisors or is it his policies that have, in the opinion of those surveyed, polarized Americans more? Remember, he ran his campaign on bringing us together. Has he failed in this regard?

They need to do a poll in the South, and then find out if racism still exists or not before jumping to this conclusion. Racial discrimination is still very much in effect, maybe even worse since Obama took office!

I think it seems no better because you have all these racists white people who hide behind the mask of conservatism. They continually be little a president because of appearance and degrade his accomplishments even though he is far outshining recent presidents. I sincerely hope that most African Americans will recognize that this is the same group of idiots, racists and bigots that have been a curse on our country for decades. The rest of us are working hard to overcome such hatred and misunderstanding in hopes of creating a better world around us.

Barack Obama can not change race relations. It will take a changing of the mentality of ALL to do that. Unfortunately that is not likely to happen. So most black folk live with that fact. We'll survive if others don't like us. We have for over 400 years in this country. Trust me. I personally treat everyone the way I would like to be treated. It's what my mom and dad taught me.

This is what i don't understand about blacks. FORTY years ago they were asking for better schools for their children, safer streets, better job candidacy opportunity, better hospital/medical care, well staffed law enforcement, etc...today ya'll are asking for the SAME STUFF. What have your liberal politicians done for you???? You still have the same problems you had 40 years ago and you keep electing liberals. Take detroit for example, liberal city/county/state leadership for over TWENTY years and look at the place. WAKE up black people and say enuogh is ENOUGH!!!

Are you seriously basing an article on this survey? LETS GIVE HIM MORE THAN 8 MONTHS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

So most blacks voted for Obama only because he is black and they are expecting..........what? Their discrimination isn't going to help their cause! Reverend Wright is racist and that's ok? Drop the "black" card and be an American.

Why should anyone be surprised?

Like Global Warming, Black victimhood is a business now.

What would Jesse Jackson do if there was no white people to lash out at? Al Sharpton too. Latest big victim, Don Imus.

50 – 100 years from now, there will be no change, because it's bad for business.

It's like the Palestinians, you offer them a country, they reject it, because their so called "leaders" don't want that. The status quo is the root of their power, they don't want it to change, then they would be out of business.

It has gotten worse. I have a fair share of Black friends and all have complained and i have seen first hand. Now White Bosses feel like they can get rid of them because as one said to me outload. " They have their president so they are not going to run my show"
some how it has had the REVERSE effect. Whites are becoming more and more Racist. out of fear. Dang Shame

Looks like they rolled the dice and lost.

What, a politician not making good on promises made during a campaign.

Well, he got 95% of the black vote during the primary – folks I hope your happy as I'm sure you are.

The republicans are down to the race card and they will play it like its the world series of poker.The party of NO,or the GNOP as it should be called dont care about people,just their money.

Attitudes toward race, gender, etc.. do not change over night. They do not change over years. They change over decades. The idea that such a poll might be relevant so soon is ludicrous.

People who are supposed to be well educated and others with a political agenda continue to use the phrase "African-American" when it has no value or validity.
Researchers would be hard pressed to find 250,ooo negros born in Africa now living in the united states as American citizens, there by being the only "true" African-Americans.
All the rest are nothing more or less than Americans that happen to be negro. WHY is that so hard to understand?
What is your frigging problem.

World peace begins in 3...2...1...

I don't think you can expect something like this to change in five months.

Being white myself,I hear the fear of no longer being the majority all around me,especially here in Texas where wasps have somehow managed to keep control of the State Government by gerrymandering the voting districts and scaring nonwhites from voting.

Well well, my little Republican friends, my President or your "Messiah" (as you lovingly refer to him, your words not ours) does not walk on water within his race as you thought he did. In fact, beside you having little or no respect for him or his family, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also condems him. Birds of a feather...

i think the pure hatred shown by republicans for our president has set this country back on it's heals as far as racial devide in this country. i am white but now i feel total disgust for the grand old party of rich white men myself. sarah palin started with the name calling and created the scene that is now a way of life with these mean spirited supposedly god loving and fearing people that call themselves republicans. i truly never see the GOP gaining power again. they have done to much to destroy their party and continue to bash president obama at every turn. most of america is sick of it and will support obama because of it.

Oh, please. They never will.

Until the Blacks stop thinking that, there will be no change. They are the ones who keep racism an issue. Suck it up, repair your broken social infrastructure and in 2 generations, bingo no one will know color anymore.

This is supposed to be America. Where everyone has an opportunity to achieve a dream. What's wrong with you americans. In Europe things are not better, but a lilltle bit since Obama's election. But we (yes I'm black) that things would be much different than before. It's sad that the color of your skin still determines your character in the 21st century.

African Americans needs to STOP thinking President Obama is their "CURE ALL", he's NOT. President Obama is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, he's the President for ALL people. Folks need to stop making excuses about NOT getting involved in our communities and volunteering a couple a days per week at a youth center or mentoring children in need.

Everyone needs to STEP UP and do right by their families, their children, communities and school. 80% of African American parents are NOT involved in their children's school or after school activities. That's just shameful.

My God he's only been in office 5 months. It amazes me that people think this man can change things in such a short period of time. Things that have taken years to fester cannot be fixed in a short period of time. Give this man a break please. I listen to TV and am just amazed at how he is attacked from every side. I think the American people have to be realistic about a lot of things that are going on in this country and the world. Get behind our President please.

President Obama is the president for all people. The person who carried out this survey, I am afraid to say he/she was totally wrong to do so.
To my opinion the president should serve all people regardless the race the president identify with!

The fact of the matter is this, black people just need to get over thinking that white people give a hoot about you. Live your lives to the fullest and succeed at what you do irrespective of race relations..integration isnt all that people that it was going to be, though segration wasnt the answer either. White and Black folks have a history of animosity toward one another way before the days of the middle passage from Africa to the Americas...it dates back to when White folk crawled out the caves of the caucus mountains mad at the world for their own savagery and mad at their estranged black mothers and fathers who they felt abandoned them.

Unfortunately, it will take time (as it does with all change). With Barack's election as President I believe another stigma will be removed and people will move closer to seeing each other by their character and NOT the color of their skin...

Poverty is our issue. Racist people wheather they are employers or government decision makers will always be able to throw rocks and hide their hands, so we have to work on the things we know will close the gap on the ablility for racist attitudes to persist. We have to close the gap on poverty. Globalization will help to ease the race situation over here because we will have to stick together in order to stay ahead of the curve. The decision makers in our racist government will have to realize that in order for us to grow we need to expand the circle of opportunity. We have to interupt the poverty cycle and plug the hole of wasted potential in our society. Form a steering committee and I will give you more great ideas that are very specific. God bless the masses of poor people in this ultra rich country. We need a blessing!

I would have guessed as much. He can't make people change. But... he does offer another face, another look, that can't be had any other way. I think that kind of change is almost generational in speed.

Things won't improve while talk continues about punishing Whites for whatever hardships blacks suffered in the past. Many groups and races faced hardships, injustice and tragedies in their pasts. It's only the Blacks trying cash in on it.

My Great Grandfather was from Tenn. He fought for the Union and wasn't welcome back to his home town after the Civil War. He gave up everything and moved to Texas. Who do we see about that? A lot of blood was shed over the issue of Slavery. That's enough!

I'm sorry, but what part of "change is slow" didn't they understand? (I'll leave the 'they' to be defined by whoever complains about nothing changing)

Even *I* understand that government moves at a snail's pace and Obama even said the same in one of his speeches to the people.

I mean, come on already – give the guy a break!

He's done more for us in the first 100 days than Bush did in the eight years he was in office.

I'd call that an even trade.

I see it differently- but thats just my opinion. If you look for hate you will find it. If you look for peace- you will find it. Just depends what you are looking for.

Not surprised. Were you? How would anyone, in their right mind, think that race relations would improve simply because a bi-racial man said they should? Please people grow a brain. Black america doesnt really want things to get better. why? because they have always been discriminated against and have no idea what life would be like if there no longer existed the "means" by which to progress in life. They are used to complaining whne they do not get their way. They are used to using their skin color as a way to obatin things that they are not really "entitled" to. They use their race as the ONLY means of obtaining and therefore do not want to "racism" to go away. White people do try very hard to "see" black america as equal and with the same opportunities in life that they have. Thye agree that race relations are no better now but they do not blame themselves but rather they blame the fact that black america isnt pulling its weight in trying to overcome the stigma of racism.

What exactly was expected? Did they expect the Holy Grail to drop from the sky for thier own private sip? I think Obama and the rest of the country are slowly waking up to reality.

of course ,, this way they can blame everybody for there short comings... we are a nation of people who want to blame everyone else....people like bro jessie jackson...rev al shartopn and all the other enablers.....love the poor me game .....no news here....

With the media and Dems constantly beating the race drum, no wonder. It's in the best interest for both to keep the divide. It makes for good ratings from race-oriented programming and it keeps a mad black voting block in the Dem's corner. The sad part is that most black people play along with it. I think most people just see each other as just plain...people. That is, until some idiot (usually a liberal "activist" brings up race. Libs are soooo predictable.....

We live in "My way or the Highway" society, so there's not much you can do to satisfy everybody. Everybody wants to be pampered. We're just so spoiled. I don't believe it's because of race relation that we do not have strong families in our communities, is it?
Of course, if we don't take care of our own family it's natural that we'll want to be accepted by everybody else. I'm not saying there's no racial discrimination. But you know what? There's racial discrimination everywhere, including in the black community. Stop this crying about racial discrimination and get back to school and work hard to make ourselves competitive. I'm one who would be discriminated against everywhere. The reality is, I could care less. All I ask for is the opportunity to go to school and a job to put food on my table.

Change you can believe in!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is an idea. Stop basing your whole life and identity on being Black! That in itself creates the perception of racism and is racist as well. How about being an American? Ever thought of that. How about, when you go somewhere and see different people you don't think, "Well, I should go over there with the other black people." Why not see everyone as just other people? Why is everything black and white? And as for race relations, what more do you want? I don't get it. You have every opportunity as everyone else. It is not the fault of others that you do not take advantage of things. I am a white guy. I have a degree, yet I see blacks that have the same qualifications with better jobs and nicer stuff and so forth. Do I get mad at them because of that? No. They worked harder for what they have. They may have put in more time and money to get the batter things in life. It is my fault for not trying as hard as them. So you see, people get out of life what they put into it...not what they take from it. Stop being victims. Get over yourselves and be a part of society not part of the problem.

I believe the percentage has increased from 38% to 55% is due in part to the increase in negative racial events that has happened since his election (police brutality events against minorities, museum shooting, accepted racial remarks from entertainment personalities, etc.) The majority of black, hispanic, and caucasion americans were hoping that since this country put aside their racial differences to elect Obama, we would begin to work on how we treat and respect each other. I guess we have a very long way to go.

Racial incidents have gone up since President Obama was elected, so blacks are just being realistic.

The first person killed in the Holocaust Museum, was a black man. Things haven't changed that much.

While there is a lot to celebrate in President Obama's election, there still is a lot of work to do regarding race relations.

As everyone is saying about fixing the economy, do they think that this problem can be eliminated in just 6 months, when it has been a problem for centuries? And besides, did they also think that by voting en masse for him because of his color would guarantee instant gratification when it came to racial discrimination? None of these problems that have existed or that he is creating can be fixed overnight (at least that is what his ardent followers are saying!).

(CNN, I'll bet this one doesn't get posted–I'll be surprised if you are willing to.)

The first quarter of 2009 marked the third quarter in a row that the economy contracted. It was the second worst drop in 27 years.

Hello socialism, hello depression.., good bye prosperous America.

Are you surprised? There are white supremacist on the rise, a rise in police brutality, immigration raids on black and Hispanic immigrants, LAPD and NYPD shooting black men like their cattle, constant threats to affirmative action and the Voting Rights Act etc in our "post-racial" society. Tensions have risen significantly

What? Old BO isn't the savior of the world... it si about time everyone realized he is just another dirty politician.

Geee, I wonder whose getting the most benefit from Obama's entitlements? Certainly not minoritites with such a huge increase in unemployment since his election.

Just hang on: Obama will re-write the Constitution soon to improve race relations in this country. Or he may withhold health care from whites/others in favor of blacks. Who knows? Blacks, don't give up on your messiah yet...

we might as well face the truth and that is there will ALWAYS be some sort of racial problem in our country one way or the other. Has it gotten better than the 50's and 60's? YES INDEED.....are people more accepting of other peoples' background,,,,I would think so. Yet there is still a percentage of the population, both black and white and all the colors in between that will NOT change their views and more than likely never will. It seems when President Obama becomes the butt end of jokes, like all presidents are prone to be, the jokes about him tend to be because he's black. They go hit race a majority of the time. People will never look past it it's sad but that's the way it is.

1. can't change over night... a mess like this takes a while to clean up (thank you 'W' for this mess)

2. I would think this HUGE first step would remind the black population that it is THEIR problem to get it done, work hard, study hard and not the rest of society's problem to do the work for them

why not do it yourself and complain about everyone else less

96%??? Does this shoe racial bias? There will always be racists on both sides of the equation. There are allot of "Black" neighborhoods that I would be beat down for just walking through.

I acknowledge that there is racism but wish that people would stop using it as an excuse for poor life choices!

Until people stop their obsession with race, nothing will change. Whites – stop being idiots. Blacks – stop being victims. Everyone needs to be colorblind and get on with life. Your epidermus is irrelivant.

Good heavens, the President has been in office for just five months and he's had a couple other things going on to occupy his time.

The government will not, and can not, fix race relations.

Attempts to do so legislatively have only perpetuated the problems.

If we would all embrace Dr. King's words and judge by the content of one's character and not the color of their skin we'd be better off. This works both ways, not just whites having conform to some other view, but guys like Jeremiah "Them Jews" Wright to stop blaming others for all of his problems.

Told you that Obama would not change anything. Change we can believe in

Might have something to do with those pesky racists...they didn't just up and disappear just because an AA was elected POTUS. In fact, they were angered, energized and motivated by it. That's ok tho...oftetimes you have to bring an infection to a head before it can be excised...and they WILL be excised (they know it too, which is what has them so angry).

There's too much important stuff going on in the world for the President to be focusing on race relations. However, Congress last week proposed to apologize for slavery. That's a start.

The world doesn't love us more either. I guess the Koolaid is starting to sour.

There is no way this administration can improve racial relations. I do not discriminate but I do see AG Eric Holder's comments damaging and he reflects this administration. Our pres will further divide this country by race as well as pitting the middle class against the so called "wealthy". His emphasis on these topics causes further racial tensions.

It's better, but you want it to be perfect right off the bat...it's going to take some time.... and there are those red neck guys in the south who don't want it to be better.
It's better because when people like my neighbor sees a young black man now, she relates that person to Obama rather than some guy who is going to steal her purse. Give it time here.....its better and this is the beginning of us...growing up...finally

Well imagine that, all the right-wing race baiting directed at our President appears to be working. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

How could 96% of a certain demographic agree on anything? That's not support; that's frightful.

Well this confirms what I feared. Blacks actually believed they would get some special dispensation from a black president. I believe the president is the president of all the people. Not one race or the other.

How are race relations getting worse in the country? I'm just curious. What am I missing here?

I expected to have more money too.

Really? What do you know? Meet the new boss same as the old boss. These elites do not care about the people. They are working for something completely different, like power and money as always comes before the people with the leadership of the two major parties.

race relations have not gotten better??? What else do they want??? Don't they know that their "Savior president is half WHITE??? They already think the world owes them for what their own race did to them...It was their own race that sold them into slavery!! Racial discrimination is a problem, but it is becoming more and more blacks that are continuing to raise they children to be racist...and as long as people continue to teach their children to be racist, it'll never go away..It is so refreshing to see any child still too young to know what racism is..I never taught my kids to be racist. They were never allowed to use the "n" word like so many others. obama should not be in office to appease blacks. Blacks and whites alike should be more concerned with how obama is running our country, not what he is doing or not doing for a particular race..He is or should be their to do what good he can for All people..All Americans...not just one race...

The racial tone has gotten much more ugly at least – and it's coming from the right. Surprise surprise.

After watching the mccain/palin rallies – (that were one small step away from klan rallies), to the tea bagging with the horrendous comments and signage – to the reaction to the Sotomayor nomination – it's just gotten uglier. Blowhard bigots like limbaugh fuel the fire of ignorance. It's archaic and shameful that in this day and time, there's ignorance like that on display – in fact, many wear their bigotry like a badge of honor. It's a shame the republicans don't see their backwardness only plays to a small group and is totally unacceptable to the majority.

Better? IT'S WORSE!

I'd wager that most blacks voted for Obama because he appears to be black; nothing more needed to be known about the guy in their eyes. He mentions, "I'm black, and I'll fund entitlements...." that's all they needed to hear. I've proven this statement hundreds of times through simple conversations with blacks, asking, "Identify 5 of his postions, or give me 3 in detail...." What I hear back is, "Hope and Change," and "you're a hater..." haha....they hate the truth.

So, I'd bet that many of you have encounted the same thing; if involved in a conversation about Obama, and anything of a negative nature arises in the conversation, any blacks nearby get defensive. Virtually all of the time they cannot defend a single stance, (heck, even whites cannot defend him) however, they get defensive and want to play the race card..and cry foul......

It's so bad that in the "old days," when there was an election, you could have a "Pro," or "anti" candidate bumper sticker on your car...and people would live and let live.....However, since I had a "No Taxes, NOBAMA," sticker on my truck, I 've been accosted numerous times soley by blacks.....to the point one time where I had to show two punks who the Judge was (the Taurus Judge, that is)....so, in summary, Obama's done nothing but increase racial tensions. He's filled their coffers with entitlement goodies...but soon the well's going to run dry, and then all races will be against him......

Just like he's lied about taxes, transparency, 5 days of sunshine...etc..etc....bipartisanship....he lied to the black folks as well.
As I 've said before, it's all about power and control with Obama....period.

True.. the Blacks still have BET, Miss Black America, Black History Month as if that's not racist and hypocritical. At least here in Arizona we are having a voter amendment on the ballot in 2010 to abolish Affirmative Action. One would be hired, promoted, etc based on your accomplishments which is only fair.

I was really hoping that things would have improved.

Yet all you see is minorities shouting "racism" whenever someone criticizes the president... and whites shouting "reverse racism" (whatever that means) whenever he does something to advance minorities.

It's so sad. MLK was probably shedding tears of joy in heaven when Obama got elected... and he's probably shedding tears of sorrow now. Don't worry, Dr. King... things are better now than in your day. But we have a long, long way to go.

Here is the real deal. It does not matter who you are the keys to success in our country are you have to learn to type use sponge bob typing course it is funny and good. The second is you have to learn how to read textbooks. There are video training courses like VTC Safari online books for $10 a month I can develop my design skills for computers. School is insanely expensive and if you are still developing your flexibility you can't get out of it what it costs you to attend. I feel that I only go to school after I am comfortable to get my certificate.

The other thing is to substitute important progress by Black people. Get Microsoft Encarta's Black Encyclopedia look up interesting contributions made by Black people and throw it in mixed company. Americans can handle the truth and most Americans Forget about the doormat evangelicals = want diversity and don't hate every one because they are just not like them. As a disable person I know the jumping off points of heuristics and algorithms well the cliffs are different from sitcom cliffs. So if you want a future you have to stake out a different direction. But you have do type and read and kick things out as a product as you learn. Sorry if you can't follow this but it is true.

Obama has set back race relations at least 20 years in this country.

He is a disgrace.

Ninety-six percent of blacks think Obama is doing a good job? That's where the problem starts. How many blacks voted for Obama simply because he's black? Ask yourself America, who's really being racist?

The United States is a universally racist country and probably one of the most racist nations in global history; it doesn’t matter what is the color of your skin because everyone hates someone. To hate is to be human in the same vein as it is to err. What do you think this country was based upon? I remember reading a statistic at one time many years ago which said that Native Americans make up less than 2% of the college population. That should be pretty self-explanatory. Take a look at the Vice Presidential candidate this past election cycle.

President Obama isn't going to change race relations in America.

This survey simply demonstrates that race relations in America are complex. It will take more than electing the first Black president to repair centuries of racial strife and discord that is pervasive throughout this nation's history. I do believe that electing Obama was a great first step toward this repair, but there is much more work to be done.

Ouch! Dang... the Dems can't be too happy about that. Hmmm.... or can they?

From what I've seen, things are worse now than before he was elected. Maybe the prejudice was always there but kept below the surface by more moderate leaders. But with the election of Obama, the gloves have come off. Bigots carrying guns and badges are terrorizing entire communities. Right Wing Evangelicals openly call for armed revolt. Federal agencies support para-military militias to patrol borders, south and north. The government and Congress repress civil liberties in order to "keep us safe" while their agents murder innocent people and terrorize the electorate. The government warns of another Muslim threat but does nothing to keep us safe from Evangelical Christian Extremists. Because they're white. If you're White, Christian or Catholic in this country, you get a pass. Especially in the media. We are a Murdock Nation.

It is true. Race relations haven't improved since President Obama took office. If anything...his being a man of color has pronounced the
dislike of his being "the most powerful man in the country." And, it
has caused many to display their "hidden racism," antics to be exposed. I, myself, have witnessed many examples. What is tragic and sad: is to see some in one race harbor such hatred for someone they have yet to even know...or care to get to know. That is a travesty.
Until we as a nation, embrace ALL...no matter the ethnicity...there certainly WILL NOT be "peace in the valley."
And, I for one, don't see this occurring in my time. (Although I do pray for it daily. I continue to hold on to HOPE!!!)

An educated, African American senior citizen who cares!

Tthe sense of elation and inclusiveness that I felt as a black Dominican right after the inauguration has given way to enlightenment.
I have discovered folks that are racially-tolerant, and ,in particular in these blogs,I have rediscovered the "ugly American" uncensored.
Those that just can't stomach us 'people of color' are irate beyond belief after the election of President Obama, and they don't mind letting you know it. However, I choose not to dwell on this group, I choose instead to embrace all of those that have come out of the closet in great numbers to say that they aspire to a higher plane where they will deal with an individual based on who he is, not the color of his skin.

I'm having a little problem with all the people who are disappointed that, in less than 6 months, the President has failed to solve all the economic, environmental, educational, constitutional, racial, homophobic, foreign, local, personal, and miscellaneous problems facing every person in the nation and world today. He doesn't leap tall buildings in a single bound either. The President is moving forward with his agenda with skill and speed. Some of it will work and some it probably will not. I predict that some people will never be satisfied regardless. But he is working on delivering his promises in a thoughtful, intelligent manner. I'm willing to give him time and I don't expect him to part the Mississippi. Despite snide comments from wingnuts, he is not my Lord and Saviour. He's just a President and that's all I expected when I voted.

Unfortunately, I believe this is true. Race relations are not significantly better, they are just stagnant. This country, especially the south is still so segregrated its disheartening.

WE all have a part to play in that.

Our perception of race relations is about how we feel and act not about who the president is. If you have a positive attitude and seek out people who are open to diversity you will find excellent race relations. If you remain synical and let the bad people get you down you will think things are bad. Anyone of any race, religion, sex, sexual orientation who gets educated, works hard, treats others well and strives for excellence can be successful in this country. We need to stop making excuses for our problems and focus on making our own lives better.

I think the president is doing a good job. Patients is what we need; if McCain was our president you wont get a thing and you wont say anything, give the president time.

Obviously racial relations don't change simply because a African-American is elected president.

The election of Obama proves racism is on a huge decline. While yes most of us African Americans know racism is a problem we have to be patient. Its not even been one full year yet so we should hold judgment until the end of the first term.

what do they want. i know that thought Obama would hand them everything and it hasn't happened. I still hear blacks talk about how Obama is going to get them a house, car, food and just take care of them because he is half black but then he is half white and i don't hear whites talking about what he is going to give them.

Most far right conservatives prove that racism is very much alive in this country. They cast a dark shadow over this country and makes all of us look bad. As the older generation dies off, so will this vile bigotry. The clock is ticking steadily. All we must do is wait it out. The party of NO is a geriatric party of old white hate. The rest of us will live to see better days.

No surprise here. I don't expect anything to change for the better, especially any attempt to engage in thoughtful discussion will come with a "racist" label. All of the political correctness has not changed anyone's feelings. And it will get worse since, if Obama can become President of the US, why can't anyone who looks like Obama make the grades to get through law school, med school or anything else. Barack and Michelle Obama may be examples of how much can be achieved by two extraordinary people, with race not holding them back. What's your excuse?

Its only been 6 months – how can we heal over 200 years of problems in such a sort amount of time. Obama has always said his presidency is not about his skin color – we need to continue work on healing the wounds of slavery and segregation as a country, not just because of one person.