"If fewer and fewer blacks perceive white Americans as racist, a major reason for black support for liberalism could lose its appeal to blacks. On the other hand, if liberalism continues to portray blacks as victims of white racism, more white Americans will regard liberalism as phony – or worse, as stirring up racial tensions for political gain.
"Most whites are tired of racial tension, tired of being portrayed as racist, tired of their children being taught in college that they are either consciously or unconsciously racist, tired of lowering standards for blacks or anyone else.
"So the Obama victory puts liberals in a bind. They either acknowledge the reality of an essentially non-racist America and thereby alienate black and white liberals still committed to this proposition, or they continue to play the 'America is racist' card and alienate many whites.
"The challenge the Obama victory poses to many blacks is that they will have to abandon ascribing black problems – such as disproportionate amounts of violent crime and the highest rate of out-of-wedlock births in America – to racism. Fewer and fewer white Americans will tolerate being blamed for problems within black life."