Discussing Race in the Light of an Obama Presidency

We live in the United States of America in 2009 and we have the first African American President in our history. Many have remarked about the historical significance of this moment. What does it mean to have the first African American " first family" in the White House? What does it mean in terms of race relations in the U.S.? How significant is it that Barack Obama became our 44th President with as varied a cultural background (white, Kenyan, Indonesian, Hawaiian, African American)? Have we moved past racism now that we have elected a black U.S. president?

The Archbishop of New Orleans would answer: no, not quite to that last question. Here's what he says in his Pastoral Letter on Racism called, "Made In The Image And Likeness of God":

"What a great grace it would be if the waters of Katrina (which means. cleansing) were not only to wreak devastation, but also to wash away the· stain of racial prejudice and division, and enable us to rise to a new life of racial justice and harmony!

" A "great grace" indeed it would be for all people. It seems though that it is difficult for us to confront the" stain of racial prejudice" and rid ourselves of it once and for all. Charles Blow, a columnist for The New York Times writes" According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll released last month January 2009), twice as many blacks as whites thought racism was a big problem in this country, while twice as many whites as blacks thought that blacks had achieved racial equality ... Talking frankly about race is still hard because it's confusing and uncomfortable."

Blow goes on to cite statistics showing that whites do not want to appear prejudiced around blacks and often go to great lengths not to appear so. As a result blacks often feel as though whites who act colorblind are often more racist because they don't bring up the subject of race even when it might be germane. Consequently, blacks tend to feel that these whites are racist. See more of the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/opinion/21blow.html?_r=1

It's obvious that the conversation on racism and prejudice needs to continue and that racism is not dead because Mr. Obama is President of these United States of America. It won't be easy, but as people of faith we are called to understand the inherent, God-given dignity of each person. Perhaps, Mr. Obama's presidency will be an occasion of unity in diversity helping to have whites and blacks (as well as other ethnic groups) begin the conversation anew.

Written by: fr. Jeffrey Ott, OP, Provincial Promoter for Justice and Peace