Narratives of Black Men about Equality, Obama and Success

• In Event: 366 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session II
  In Refereed Roundtable: B. Table 05. Race

Abstract

The 2008 presidential election the African-American voter turnout rate in 2008 was 65.2% (Pew) -- the highest African-American voter turnout rate for any national election. What does Barack Obama’s presidency mean to African-American men? These and other questions were asked of over 25 African-American men between the ages of 24 – 62 years assessing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences regarding race relations, economic inequality, and consequences of the Obama Presidency. Data analysis of these interviews reveal an articulation of the symbolic power of President Obama as a role model to younger generations, while remaining skeptical that their life chances will be significantly altered by his stature or policies. The men are not naïve or overly optimistic about the impact of the Obama Presidency on the everyday lives of African-American men and women today. It is the purpose of this paper to shed light on the complex set of feelings, thoughts, and expectations that average African-American men have of the first African-American president.

Authors

• Loralie Wiebold, Bradley University

• Marwin Spiller, Illinois Central College