There were tears of joy and a real sense of history in the making. For many African-Americans, Barack Obama's election in November 2008 as president of the US was an undeniable landmark in race relations. One year on, it is not clear just how Obama's unlikely journey to the White House has changed the underlying dynamics between white and black Americans.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, prior to signing the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. (AP Photo)