U.S. accepts Black President, struggles with other social advances: Americans made history this week by electing their first Black president while banning affirmative action and gay marriage at the same time.
In some cases, such as in California, Black and Hispanic voters who overwhelmingly supported President-elect Barack Obama, also helped lead the way in revoking laws that allowed gay couples to marry.
So does this mean Americans, including ethnic minorities, can accept a Black president but are still not ready for other progressive initiatives?
While the country is becoming more tolerant, some scholars suggest it is not completely ready to embrace some hot-button cultural policies, especially when it comes to homosexuality and pocket-book issues.
People voted for Obama because they felt he was the better candidate, says Toni-Michelle Travis, a political scientist who specializes in race issues at George Mason University. But when it comes to policies that impact voters financially, such as affirmative action, it is not surprising that many voters are less accepting, she adds.
When voting on economic issues people feel more threatened, Travis says, and they ask themselves, '‘can I get a job, or is the government going to favor ‘those people.’ When you get to issues that affect your family and personal well being, I think race takes on a different tone.'
