Shortly after Barack Obama won the presidential election KSPR asked if you think a black president will help or hurt race relations in America. This Daily Download subject hit a lot of nerves all across the Ozarks. Some people thought it would help, but many didn't think so and just about everyone gave a reason for their response.

What do you think? We invite you to keep the discussion going by commenting below.

Our Daily Download question is available every day before the 4:30 newscast if you sign up for our text service. You can sign up by clicking here.

Here are your Talk Backs...


“Definitely not.” –Amber

“I think it will hurt the race relations really bad.”

“I think it will help. I just hope he doesnt get assassinated. That would make it worse!”

“Duh, what do you think. I think he is perfect and he is half white you know. Only the ignorant would not embrace this incredible time in history.”

“I sure hope it helps!”

“I hope it helps race relations. If white racists make threats to Obama and racists comments, I feel it can hurt race relations.”

“We shouldn't look at him as a BLACK president, but the president first and foremost. It could help race relations.”

“Need to remember President-elect Obama is half white also. The question of race is not a problem with young people today and I was raised to respect others no matter what their color.” –Jeff, Nixa

“We are told that race had nothing to do with how people voted, and we can see that, for many white people, it didn't. However, seeing that 95 or 96% of Blacks voted for Obama, it becomes a rhetorical question. White people appear to be the only identifiable ethnic group who are subtly discouraged from promoting their own kind into public office, and this will have tragic consequences for America in the long run. It is a classic media double standard.” –Dan, Eureka Springs, AR

“The question about whether a Black President would affect racism is this country is not valid. Obama is half white and half black.” –Garry, Verona

“I think it could actually hurt the relations. I feel that no matter how much we'd like to say racism has weakened; it won't be the case. I could see people who already are against him will remain & blame him for being a terrible President even before he begins. This is going to be a scary next 4 years!!”

“It will hurt race relationr because it puts them in a position to become even more black power.”

“Notice how it is always stated black first... guess that means the black are going to control everything, ONLY for the ignorant. People need to grow up. there are stupid whites and blacks that do not want peace, let the MAN, OUR PRESIDENT do his job.
Don't cry about my statements when Bubba Blunt slings his stupdity. This place lives for racism and will probably never grow up. Be am American and support your leader, Oh yea, I am white.” –RJ

“As long as the media, all media, including KSPR, keeps throwing the President Elect's ethnicity in our faces, and giving the white supremacist groups the attention they seek, but shouldn't have...... its a sure bet the divide will widen. The people who promote the the issue needlessly, are the true racists. Didn't John Lennon say, "give peace a chance"? Leave it alone............. please.” –Rick

“Why does everyone put a title of “Black” on the new president-elect. Nobody says “Bush is a “White” president. I have always thought “Affirmative Action” was wrong. If you are the best qualified for a job you should be the one that is hired because of your qualifications, not the color of your skin or you nationality.” –Pat

“I believe it may do more harm, even divide the black and whites even more in this country. As for the professor who said that the rural areas wouldn't vote for a black guy, that's just ridiculous. That’s stereotyping and if any plain 'ol gun and religion clinging white person said something like that, it would be racist. I believe that the way our society is trained in this day and age, you can only be racist if you're white. But, 'tis a privelige to live in the Ozarks.”

“Whether a president is black, white, red, green or purple should not make a difference.”

“I hope it helps, but I am getting tired of hearing people say that there is so much racism involved in this presidential race. Do they not see the fact that Obama reportedly got 95% of the black vote, and that is a form of racism as well. Everyone has to put racism to the side, not just white people.” –Barbara

“Help race relations.”

“I thought that was the point now that is isn't even a issue! Since AMERICA elected Obama there should be no more truly discriminatory things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Unless there will now be things like the United Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American or Asian College Fund, Cloud Magazine; White, Hispanic, or Asian Entertainment Television, or Miss White, Hispanic or Asian America. It shouldn't even be an issue at all-how can they claim discrimination when an African-American is the Leader of the Free World!!!!” –Rhonda, Nixa

“Race relations, the topic of, will keep rising it's ugly head only with the help of the media. I see President-elect Obama as a man. Not a man of color, but just a man.” -Carl, Pittsburg, MO

“I think it will hurt. I don't think we are ready for a president of another race. I think it is a death sentence. Too many people are still bitter. People have already been arrested for plotting this.” -Nixa Mom

“Wow, how dare you give airtime to ANYBODY from the KKK in 2008. Anytime you give somebody like this a chance to spew his vile rhetoric, you legitimize their existence.” –Josh, Springfield

“It SHOULD help things. This kind of progress is wonderful for black people. It should bridge some gaps between white and black. But that kind of ignorant reaction will only HURT. I AM ASHAMED THAT I LIVE IN HARRISON AROUND SUCH STUPIDITY!” –Jennifer

“It will always be questions like this that will keep this great country divided. When will we see with our hearts and not our eyes?” –Rhonda

“I think it can only help. African-Americans (and other minorities) can now truthfully say to their children that they can grow up to be anything they set their minds to, including being the President of the United States!” –John

“If anyone watched the acceptance speech the night of the election or was at the rally a few days ago--it is plain to see that it isn't a race thing. It's a change thing.” –Bryce, Rogersville

“I believe the future of race relations in the U.S. is completely dependant upon the way Mr. Obama handles the job of President. If his attitude is "It's our turn now" it will hurt relations. However, if he tries to help make the nation better for all Americans, I believe he will get the support of MOST Americans.” –Jerry, Springfield

“It will do more harm. Every president makes mistakes and deserves some criticism, but any criticism of Obama will be labeled as racist. That will cause resentment among both supporters and critics, which will lead to more racial tension.”

“By asking your community how it feels about having Obama elected as president, knowing that you are in a Republican part of the country is unfair. However it doesn't stop there. Then tonight asking if race will help or hurt Obama, I am completely outraged. I am not from here thankfully, but from California, and never have I heard of churches preaching and throwing lies down peoples throats like I have here. How can we get over racism when here in the wonderful mid west you people clench on to it with you life, just like you bibles. Funny thing is, when this place is called the bible belt it is quite the opposite, for this is the most judgmental, prejudice (not only with minorities, but with women) ignorant and bias part of the WORLD!!!! I am sad for the people here, someday, sooner than you know, you "white" people will be the minority, and then what will you do???? So please by all means, keep up with the race card and feel that you world will come apart now with the new President elect, because at the end of the day your thoughts don't matter, thankfully he was elected president regardless of what this part of the country thought, after all, we all know the mid west is filled with "dumb" people anyways.”

“I hope that Obama being elected will help racial differences, but I I actually think it will hurt. Had Obama's campaign and this election been about a man who deserved to be President, who was qualified, and who was capable of leading this great nation into better times then we as a nation would be united. However, this campaign has been about color ... about gender. Obama didn't deserve to win because he was black .... he deserved to win because he promised hope and change. If he chooses to be a President who serves the entire nation regardless of income or race, then the nation will be better for it. I hope the media and others will allow him to be a great President if he is able. The color of his skin doesn't make him any more or any less of a person ... or any more or any less qualified. His character, his actions, and his integrity should be our focus. There will always be ignorant racial people out there, but that is not the majority. The majority voted Obama in. Why is there a need to waste time changing people who choose not to change ... why must the rest of us pay the price for the ignorance of a few. Can we not just move on?” –Kelly