Writing for Huffington Post, US sociologist and Cuba expert Ted Henken reflected on racial discrimination in both the US and Cuba, describing Obama as “a powerful symbol" of US achievement in "racial justice and equality," while acknowledging that the US still has a "long way to go." 
Akiandikia Huffington Post, Mmarekani mtaalam wa sosholojia na masuala ya Cuba Ted Henken alitafakari suala la ubaguzi wa rangi kwenye mataifa hayo ya Marekani na Cuba, akimwelezea Obama kama "alama imara" ya mafanikio ya Marekani katika "Haki na usawa wa makundi ya rangi," wakati huo huo akikubaliana kwamba Marekani bado ina "safari ndefu."