Question

Please elaborate on the answer

In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected as the President of the United States. The U.S. presidency is arguably the most powerful office in the world.

Do you see the election of Barack Obama as the culmination of the African-American civil rights movement? If so, why? If not, why not?

Answer 1

From Martin Luther King to Mohammad Ali to Barack Obama, America has come a long way. The election of Barrack Obama and his swearing-in on January 20, 2008 was widely hailed as the culmination of the civil rights movement of African-Americans for racial equality. Lacs of black people joined the whites in celebrating Obama's swearing-in. There were no separate drinking fountains for the colored. Black young men expressed feeling of pride and accomplishment. It seemed as if the last color bar had been broken. The election was hailed as historic and transformative.

But the reality is far removed from the euphoria that ensued. It was an illusion, the way Obama campaigned, that America had moved beyond the racial boundaries. Racial integration is still a farfetched dream, yet to come true. Racial discrimination and oppression is in the DNA of capitalist America. Racial brutalities by police are ever present, if not growing by the day. There were a number of racial attacks and threats there were covered up.

In his inaugural address, Obama never mentioned Lincoln or Martin Luther King. He made a conscious decision to stay away from any mention of black struggle, in order to not unsettle the comfort level of whites. This is a testimony to the fact that the struggle for racial freedom is still as much a reality as it was earlier. Virulent racism is present all over US. Racism is a scourge, which requires a revolution to do away with it.

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