Obama on Our Minds ─ The Impact of Obama on the Psyche of America

On the evening of November 8, 2008, as news of Barack Obama's presidential victory spread, images flashed across television screens, showing the emotional reactions of people across the country and the world. As Obama gave his acceptance speech, the cameras focused on people in the crowd at Grant Park overjoyed, with tears streaming down their faces. People cheered. Spontaneous and joyous celebrations broke out in the streets. Change had finally come.

Analysts describe Barack Obama's success as a "meteoric rise," leaving many in the elite political circles astonished at what he had accomplished. With his success, many questions arose: How was he able to do this? Why does he evoke such strong reactions? What shifts took place in American society for this to happen? Do we now live in a post-racial society, and what will this mean for the next generation?

In Obama on Our Minds, Dr. Lori A. Barker leads a team of expert multicultural theorists and researchers studying racism, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, and immigration to answer these questions and analyze the enormous impact of this groundbreaking event in our nation's history.

Dr. Lori A. Barker is a professor in the Psychology and Sociology Department at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Dr. Barker received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA and is also a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in Riverside, California. Her primary area of interest is Multicultural Psychology.