I guess I just get pissed off when I hear Europeans imply that America is some sort of racist backwater...do you guys really think Obama's story would be possible in any country in Europe or in Australia?
To answer this question specifically: Obama's story is possible entirely because he isn't a typical African American. While I don't claim most European countries will be electing any (racial) minority head of government any time soon, one should remember that America elected a man with black skin that happens to be culturally white in pretty much every way. (And that by 7% after the crash of 2008. Not that that itself makes a difference, but we should keep things in perspective.)
I think Obama would have won even if the crash didn't happen. By a smaller margin, of course, and a smaller margin than what Hillary would have managed, but he would have won. I don't think you can say that in any European nation, the son of an immigrant could become President/Prime Minister. I also wouldn't say that Obama is culturally "white", but that brings up an interesting point.
There is a close interplay of race and class in America, especially with regard to AA's. I wouldn't say Obama was acting white, he just wasn't acting like how we expect AA's to act (and this isn't just how whites see it, but also how many AA's see it, thus the common insult, "acting white"). A person who fits all those stereotypes could not become President, no. I also don't think a person acting like an uneducated redneck could become President. Still, if we look at how much overt and shocking racism occurs in America vs Europe, there is no comparison. Just look at the racism you see at soccer games. You don't see that in any organized sport in America.
I think you're right that racists are certainly more open about their racism, the soccer example isn't wrong, although I would again stress that it's very dependent on exactly where you are.
But you need to also look at things like - say - the incarceration rates in America, and what penalties certain crimes carry. What is it, 1 out of 10 African American males is in jail? These laws undeniably have a racist background, yet it doesn't require openly racist public commentary. That's one thing I meant under institutionalized racism in America.
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