Here is an intriguing thought to add to this page on identity and race politics. I was thinking if Barack Obama's presidency was positive for identity politics and race relations in the United States of America or not. Looking around on social media and different news networks, one would think that race relations are at a recent low after the first black american presidency. Why would this be? Is this a bad or good thing?

Starting premises:
1. Race relations were cooling during the 80's 90's and 2000's, however the underlying problems like police brutality and employer racism didn't go away.
2. Race relations exploded into upheaval and divisive politics during and after the Obama Presidency.

Hypothesis:
[(Why would this be?)
While race relation conversations were quelling prior to the Obama administration, many americans assumed the problem would correct its self after a long enough time. Contrary to this belief, Many black americans still felt discriminated against but didn't have the political will to push their issues such as police brutality or employer discrimination. When the Obama administration and social media viral video conveying racism entered the scene, the political will increased enough to bring these issues to the forefront of public discourse.

(Is this a good or bad thing?)
While I first held the belief that if we don't discuss race relations, somehow they would harmonize. I thought that the recent upheaval in race relations was detrimental to decades of race relation improvements. My recent personal observation has since changed my view. I think that for true equal opportunity and race relation harmonization to occur, race related issues must first be discussed. Even though race relation and politics might seem decisive or even hostile at the moment, perhaps it is necessary in order for the United States of America to optimally improve its race relations and related issues in the long run. In essence... it is a "good" thing.