Embassy kicks off Black History Month with a DVC: “Barack Obama and the Paradox of Race”

February 1, 2012

Black History Month DVC: “Barack Obama and the Paradox of Race” (U.S. Embassy Photo)

On February 1, Embassy Algiers began Black History Month with the DVC “Barack Obama and the Paradox of Race.”  The Africa Regional Services-sponsored DVC featured historian and current Sciences Po Fellow Andrew Diamond.  Mr. Diamond spoke to an audience of sixty Algerians about the historical circumstances that produced the U.S.’s first black president and how Americans belief in their “colorblindness” contrasts with the realities of racial progress.  Mr. Diamond’s presentation was followed by a Q&A session, during which audience members asked Mr. Diamond’s opinions on anti-Muslim discrimination in the U.S. and his predictions for Barack Obama’s re-election.