The election of Barack Obama was predicted to have ushered in a new, post-racial society.  In this post-racial society, color or race would no longer matter.  Are we there yet?

Not so fast, I would say.  In the past year, we have witnessed the controversial arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates, The Beer Summit, President Jimmy Carter’s comments on hostility toward President Obama, members of the Tea Part, and Harry Reid’s comments.  Race matters, and it matters even more in the type of post-racial America that I see.

I don’t see a post-racial America where racism no longer exists.  The truth of the matter is that racism will always exist as long as evil exists.  I do, however, see a post-racial America where minorities are on track to being the majority; and more Americans will no longer view themselves as simply “black” or “white.”  I see the rise of multi-ethnic groups.

A recent Time article brings up the issue of the term, “Negro,” being used on the U.S. Census (View the article here). The article discusses many changes that the U.S. Census will be testing with the 2010 Census.  One of the possible changes is allowing respondents to check more than one box for race and Hispanic origin. Also, those who check “black” or “white” will be allowed to write in more specific information.

For years, through the eyes of racism, one drop of black blood meant that you were black.  Blue eyes and 0.001% melanin?  Yep, you’re white.

But if this change is implemented in the 2010 Census, bi-racial children will no longer have to identify with one group.  People of Arab descent will have a voice.  German-Irish?  Write it in.  Afro-Cuban?  Come on down.  Korean mother and Afro-Mexican father?  You’re invited too.  It’s a racial smorgasbord!

I pose two questions: 1) What is your vision of a post-racial America?  2) What race(s)/ethic groups do you identify with?