The ironic consequences of Obama’s election: Decreased support for social justice

Do Americans think that, because of Barack Obama’s election, affirmative action and other policies that address racial injustice are no longer necessary? In this study, we examined this question by assessing participants’ perceptions of racial progress and support for remedying racial injustice both...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental social psychology 2009-05, Vol.45 (3), p.556-559
Main Authors: Kaiser, Cheryl R., Drury, Benjamin J., Spalding, Kerry E., Cheryan, Sapna, O’Brien, Laurie T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Affirmative action
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Inequality
Obama, Barack
Perceptions
Political psychology
Presidential elections
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Public opinion
Race relations
Racism
Social interactions. Communication. Group processes
Social justice
Social psychology
Status legitimacy
Studies
U.S.A
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Summary:Do Americans think that, because of Barack Obama’s election, affirmative action and other policies that address racial injustice are no longer necessary? In this study, we examined this question by assessing participants’ perceptions of racial progress and support for remedying racial injustice both prior to and after Barack Obama’s presidential victory. Following the election, participants increased their perception that racism is less of a problem in the US today than in times past. They also expressed less support for policies designed to address racial inequality. Given the continued prevalence of racial disparities in virtually all aspects of American society, these results raise important implications for the status of policies aimed at eliminating racial injustice.
ISSN:0022-1031
1096-0465
DOI:10.1016/j.jesp.2009.01.006