Americans' Perceptions On 8 Years Of Obama

President Barack Obama called on Americans to defend their democracy in his farewell speech in Chicago lastnight. As Donald Trump's inauguration edges ever closer, people have been reflecting on the nation's progress under the outgoing president. According to a Gallup poll published this week, the public overwhelmingly agrees that the situation for the LGBT community has improved under Obama.

Indeed, he became the first sitting U.S. president to publicly declare his support for the legalization of same-sex marriage in May 2012. People also agree that energy and the economy have made more progress then decline under Obama. However, Americans feel the country lost ground on immigration, crime and race relations in particular.

A spate of police shootings of unarmed black men led to an outbreak of protest and anger not seen since the LA riots of 1992. Given the gravity of the turbulence, it comes as little suprise that most people think race relations have stumbled under Obama. 25 percent of people think the racial situation has moved forward while 52 percent think the country has lost ground.