washington barack obama become first african-american win white house 2008 victory turn point u.s. race relations set high expectations progress come nearly eight years late donald trump hillary clinton attack racial politics legacy obama presidency look decidedly mix black leaders say tone republican presidential nominee campaign well recent series racially charge shoot involve police show unite state come close overcome history racial strife black president two attorneys general chief homeland security result basic fairness victims racially charge violence say cornel west academic former obama supporter become high-profile critic democratic president many policemen murder unarm innocent black civilians go jail kind black power top zero west say obama could act directly office help black west add cite persistently high childhood poverty among african-americans economic recovery filter black work poor communities say others say obama show leadership race make real achievements healthcare economy help americans ethnicities al sharpton civil right leader close tie white house describe obama transformative president hold back need serve vary constituencies compromise lawmakers different priorities try balance respectful could chagrin many black community felt lean backwards sharpton say unemployment among african-americans fell half obama sharpton note obama remark race elevate issue 2012 white house obama refer trayvon martin black youth gun white hispanic man boy would resemble son never president sharpton say andrew young former atlanta mayor congressman u.s. ambassador unite nations adviser slay civil right leader martin luther king jr. say obama black leader seek compromise previous white presidents easy jimmy carter lyndon johnson even bill clinton southern white things specifically black people young say backlash white work class voters contribute trump rise young say really complete psychological adjustment multi-racial society say rally people behind trump frustrate complexities day age trump like others give simple answer blame somebody else clinton democratic presidential nominee blast trump thursday divisive candidate stoke racist group trump criticize clinton say let black americans falsely label republicans bigoted clinton supporters likely want address race relations trump supporters reuters/ipsos opinion poll 2,800 people find late march obama say race relations bad suggest friends say never expect presidency wipe away centuries racism slavery legacy expect erase legacy injustice racism discrimination eight years unrealistic say valerie jarrett white house adviser close obama friend people probably false sense progress base election sure say administration want advance criminal justice reform legislation obama leave office aim win issue watch closely black community prospect passage congress election year uncertain obama make clear disdain trump frustration congress say hop voice race would help improve things future generations plant seed somebody else maybe sit shade tree plant obama say news conference july racial politics loom election obama 's legacy see mix