When Barack was first elected, various commentators had naively declared that our country was entering a "postracial" era, in which skin color would no longer matter. Here was proof of how wrong they'd been. As Americans obsessed over the threat of terrorism, many were overlooking the racism and tribalism that were tearing our nation apart.
In her book "Becoming," Michelle Obama reflects on the misconceptions surrounding Barack Obama's election, where some claimed it marked the dawn of a "postracial" America. She emphasizes that this optimistic view was misguided, highlighting the persistent issues of racism that still plague the nation. Despite a historical milestone, skin color continued to significantly influence people's experiences and perceptions.
Michelle also points out that while the nation fixated on the dangers of...