John Kenneth White talked about his book Barack Obama’s America: How New Conceptions of Race, Family and Religion Ended the Reagan Era (University of Michigan Press; August 4, 2009). In his book Mr. White argues that Barack Obama’s election marks a new era in U.S. politics, based largely on many demographic changes. Using polls, census data, popular media, and political anecdotes, he describe a “new” society, in which interracial marriage, divorce, single motherhood, and cohabitation are no longer taboo, in which gay rights gain ground, and people attend church more for entertainment and community than for religion. He responded to questions submitted by members of the audience.
The event was a Women’s National Democratic Club lunch held Thursday, October 29, 2009.