The current status of Afro-Americans -a mixed picture The elimination of legal barriers has been a major gain,but institutionalized discrimination is still rife. They have achieved considerable educational gains. 。 Median family income of blacks rose but the income gap between the blacks and the whites has widened. The political influence of blacks is increasing,and blacks are moving into national government,the business world and the media.E.g.Barack Obama. However,many blacks are pessimistic about progress in race relations. Urban ghettos still contain a permanently impoverished black underclass The current status of Afro-Americans -- a mixed picture • The elimination of legal barriers has been a major gain, but institutionalized discrimination is still rife. • They have achieved considerable educational gains. • Median family income of blacks rose but the income gap between the blacks and the whites has widened. • The political influence of blacks is increasing, and blacks are moving into national government, the business world and the media. E.g. Barack Obama. • However, many blacks are pessimistic about progress in race relations. • Urban ghettos still contain a permanently impoverished black “underclass