The election of Obama in 2008 met a lot of criticism from the different races in United States of America. Most of these arguments were based on racial background certainly due to the skin color of Obama. The media had different speculations terming the move as an end of racism. Later, it could be seen as the emerging of a different way or perspective in post racial America. The victory of Obama in 2008 followed by reelection in 2012 eluded a series of debates, court orders and sincere discussion on the end of the termed ‘color blind’ or black-white difference. The media spread the information of what seemed to be the end of years of racism since the history of ‘I have a dream’ by Martin Luther King. The news read of the change slogan used by the campaign trail of President Obama, however, it was evident that racism or post racial practice had not finished but took a different perspective (Unnever and Gabbidon 46).
Post racial is a term that many believed would end by the election of the first black-American as the president. However, it would be unethical to regard that as the end of racism. First, it would be essential to have a look at the meaning of the term post racial. This term is usually used to explain of a society or period through which discussions about race, as well as racism, have been termed no longer relevant while dealing with current social dynamics. Post racial term became popular after the election of President Barrack Obama in United States of America in 2008-2009. It can be believed that one day America might be certainly be post-racial although the election of an African-American president never meant the country as a whole had gone beyond the entire racial issues as well as racist points of view. Therefore, the media convincing the people of the end of the racial differences shows a clearly that this were just manipulation, and that could never be said to be the end of it all. Just because America had a black president does not mean that was the end of racism. For instance, during and after campaigns saw racist statements and actions from candidates as well explicit as the history (Hill 34).
Let’s face the reality and think of the whole issue once again. America has been facing racism from the ancient times dating from the time of slavery to fight for equality during Abraham Lincoln’s rule to the current presidency by Barrack Obama. The fight has been all about the freedom white-black difference. This has never been of success due to high expectation of change from time after time. According to my opinion post racial America will be something to dream about which will never happen. This is mainly due to the differences that can never be ignored in the doctrine of the black-Americans, as well as whites. Some of these differences are beyond control and they cannot end over court decision, election or any movement since racism is all about races. Some of the major instigators of this problem are political, social and economic variances that instigate changes. Post racial era has been marked by some historical periods like the Brown v. Board of education, Emancipation Proclamation, civil rights movements as well the Obama regime (Ledwidge, Verney and Parmar 31). All of these eras pushing the post racial or equality in races the difference in the transition are the change with each taking its form in the fight against racism. For instance, during the slavery period where it all started with clear mistreatment of the blacks by the white race, to the period of civic unrest followed by proclamation emancipation meant bring the masses together and unify them.
Finally, the reign by president Obama who seemed to end the racial segregation in United State? The reign was intended to end years of mistreatment and bringing the whole event to equality. Another point was to avoid and bring equality through the end of minority race in America. There are various theories that explain racism in United States including the Marxist theory those strategies on the minority treatment especially the blacks in history. The theory strategized on the economical situations of in America. Gain there is racial formation theory. Again, racial formation refers to the way or process through which racism could be formed, transformed, destroyed or reformed as they get controlled by the economic, social and political movement. This theory explains the change racism has taken place from the ancient time to date. It clearly shows the reasons as into why post racial is a figure that cannot be achieved in the in the new future. America is a country that comprises of different races, from whites, black-Americans, and many other immigrants who represent the population of United States. The dynamic of racial discrimination changed with the formation of indirect racist behaviors. These were like cut of certain skin colors from certain employment. Some people living in certain states while others set certain people with different skin color (Feagin 29).
A look at the history of United States of America would see the fight for freedom mostly for the Black-American who was treated like the minority by the whites in the country. They used to work as slaves in their houses are areas of jobs until movements were set to control the situation. The fight of freedom from the fight by Dr. Martin Luther King expressed through delivering the speech about freedom the dream that everyone hoped for equality from oppression. This changed to the period of equality brought about the election of Barrack Obama marking the end of white leadership. He became the first black president. This seemed as a change where the media announce on what it seemed like the end of racism in the country. Again his re-election in 2012 came as a confirmation of the end of racism with that of votes from the States that were occupied by the whites. However, the reality is that the election of Obama brought about a new perspective of racism (Gregory Parks Law Clerk District of Columbia Court of Appeals, Matthew Hughey Professor of Sociology & African American Studies Mississippi State University 13).
For Instance, according to the Buzzfeed reports on the election of 2012, Jason Thompson son of former Governor for Wisconsin Tommy Thompson was quoted addressing the crowds telling them that that the opportunity had come for sending Obama back to Chicago or Kenya. This was during the campaigns for 2012 election as it was rated among the top most racist declaration in the history of America. The critique came over the reign of Obama since he had already served one term. This clearly indicates that the re-election of Obama did not mark the end of racism or post racial as the media had indicated. That speech by Thomson aroused a debate on the color of the people and especially those living in that country. From the crowd, a woman was heard shouting saying that they were to take donation to Kenya after he is deported. This is one of the great forms of discrimination that attacked the president himself thus proving the existence of post racial segregation.
Anyone can imagine a situation where ‘n’ word is still in use years after the independence and clearly shows post racial still exists and people should embark on thinking of new strategies to use. I would like to focus on other area like for instance if today two people are being suspected of having or using or abusing drugs, a Black-American and a white there is great probability that the black would be prosecuted first. The belief that Black American is the ones who take and abuse drugs shows that post racial problem (Orbe 17).
There are certain aspects that were looked upon during even after the campaign periods of Obama and Romney. Firstly, the recognition of power in America referred to as the white vision. This classified, or classifies, the rich and the most powerful people to be white. Although the aspect checks on the fact that if one is black and rich can be classified as white due to those characteristics, this is an aspect that shows racism on the condition of class or status. This condition places Obama as white giving the reason why the white people voted for him to get into power.
Another aspect of post racism that the media neglected is the campaign trail. For instance, while, on the campaign trail, it would be hard to find Romney telling his supporters of the color difference neither would Obama. Their campaigns were organized irrespective of race or skin color seen when Obama would visit states in his campaign. For instance as a senator of Ohio, he was under the support of white men but the majority of his supporters during that period were Blacks who took the slogan of CHANGE as used by Obama. This slogan had different interpretations; the change was focusing on the change from oppression, from inequality and from segregation which the blacks were denied. The slogan itself is a presentation of racist culture. One could interpret that to be an indication that there was inequality and that change was needed. Therefore, all these theories and stories given by the media still did not clarify the anti-racial focuses (Harris 14).
In conclusion, Post Racial period is not as expected to be in the United States of America. The media speculation upon election of Barrack Obama as the president of United States can be said to be wrong and that it was unclear on those circumstances. It is almost six years since Obama was elected as the president with people hoping it would end racial difference. Apart from this, there are still cases of racism reported each day bearing another perspective of the whole process. Therefore, I would say the election of a black president did not end years of racial difference but, it changed the whole idea and changed the style. Post-racial never came to an end, therefore, there are still a lot to be done although it seems be impossible to end racism in United States.
References
Feagin, Joe R. Systemic racism: a theory of oppression. New York: Routledge, 2006. Print.
Gregory Parks Law Clerk District of Columbia Court of Appeals, Matthew Hughey Professor of
Sociology & African American Studies Mississippi State University. The Obamas and a
(Post) Racial America? New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.
Harris, Heather E. The Obama Effect: Multidisciplinary Renderings of the 2008 Campaign. New
York: SUNY Press, 2010. Print. Hill, Jane H. The Everyday Language of White Racism.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Print.
Ledwidge, Mark, Kevern Verney and Inderjeet Parmar. Barack Obama and the Myth of a Post
Racial America. London: Routledge, 2013. Print.
Orbe, Mark P. Communication Realities in a "Post-Racial" Society: What the U.S. Public Really
Thinks of President Barack Obama. Kentucky: Lexington Books, 2011. Print.
Unnever, James D. and Shaun L. Gabbidon. Race, Racism, and Crime. New York: Taylor &
Francis, 2011. Print.
