Barack Obama's emergence as a presidential candidate in the US represents a profound change in the American psyche, distinguished historian Simon Schama argues in his new series for the BBC, The American Future.
"Whether or not he wins the presidency, this represents an historic shift in America's self-perception," Mr Schama says. It would have been inconceivable in the 1960s that white Americans in the midst of a major economic collapse would have turned to a black man to lead them out of the crisis, Professor Schama says. The new attitude to race is the result of a generational shift that began with the civil rights movement, and has now affected not only the "baby boomer generation" born in the 1950s but their children as well, he says. For the rest of the story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7657473.stmThe series covers the United States culture on the economy, war, faith, and immigration.
This guy goes on making a number of thought provoking statement of the United States, many that will ruffle some feathers, both foreign and domestic. It looks to be an interesting series.
