The next two chapters examine society's response to politicians’ discussions on race. I focus on statements made by presidents because the high profile of the Oval Office ensures that a large segment of the American public will be aware of these comments and react to them. Chapter 3 assesses the public's reaction to presidents’ race-related remarks since the 1960s with a particular focus on President Obama. Chapter 4 demonstrates how presidential remarks tap into the minority public sphere by exploring minority magazines’ discussions of health.

Part I of the book captures the duality that exists for a political discussion on race. Though the American public might be hesitant to embrace a dialogue that highlights racial inequality, and at times might even push back on this discourse, race-related remarks allow politicians to connect to the minority community and aid the efforts of minority institutions to address racial inequality. In essence, Part I offers a glimpse into how politicians’ words move beyond the confines of government to shape societal attitudes and behavior.