PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: IMPACT ON

IDENTITY FOR RACIAL/ETHNIC MINORITIES

Melba J T Vasquez, PhD, ABPP

melvasquez@aol.com
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

Has the election and re-election

of President Barack Obama been
a reflection of increasing racial
and ethnic harmony and respect?
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

Insidious biases, even among those who

consider themselves to be egalitarian will
only be diminished with ongoing and constant
promotion of awareness.
And they clearly did not immediately
dissipate because of the election of a very
effective African American President of the
United States.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

The election of President Obama has

been a significant event, and has had
powerful impact on the identities as well
as on the movement in society toward
justice for people of color.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

Culture and gender are identity variables that can

affect a leader’s style, behavior, emergence, and
effectiveness in many complex ways. Gender role
identities and cultural values can affect the choices
they make about the manner in which they lead
(Ayman and Korabik, 2010).
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

President Obama has sought to

explain America’s racial
conflicts to a conflicted nation.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

When someone like us…someone with

whom we identify takes on a position of
leadership, it makes a difference to our
identities, our sense of worth, our
possibilities.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

President Obama took office amid the

Great Recession, stabilized the economy
with a stimulus and auto bailout, resulting in
the fastest pace of job growth since the
1990s
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

Passed Affordable Care Act, and then the

Supreme Court affirmed a key element of
the health care law allowing for nationwide
tax subsidies to help poor and middle-class
people buy insurance.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

Health cost growth is at the lowest rate it

has been in 50 years

Wall Street Reform over fierce opposition

Implemented regulations aimed at

combating climate change.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

First U.S. President to embrace same-sex

marriage equality, and presided while the
Supreme Court decided to legalize it
nationwide.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

Part of President Obama’s legacy includes

the appointment of Supreme Court Justices
Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMPACT ON IDENTITY

The presence of President Barack Obama

has, in my opinion, inspired the hearts and
minds of people of color who may feel just a
bit more, that “I can do this”. Si, se puede!”
Melba Vasquez, PhD, ABPP
melvasquez@aol.com