Re: agreed almost completely, but with a nuance...

Keep in mind that my point doesn't necessarily contradict yours. I think if Obama had more of a traditional African-American background and had the same intelligence, drive, determination, speaking ability, articulateness, and all the other great qualities he possesses, I still think he would be able to achieve at the highest levels of his respective field. I actually think that his exotic background and name was something he had to overcome initially because at first many African Americans did not consider him to be one of their own and he had to earn their vote over Hillary.

I don't think Barack Obama being elected is a sign that people are more accepting of non African American blacks, but rather that Obama succeeded despite the fact that he had an exotic name and background(which allowed the other side to smear him as an "Arab", "Muslim", "terrorist" or supporter of terrorism/terrorists).