I highly recommend the diary titled, 'We knew, and we are watching. Sadly.', by Deoliver47 posted over at dailyKos. She writes about what many African-Americans see and feel  observing the growing racially motivated hate being so quickly and so openly cast at the first black U.S. president.

Here's an excerpt:

I'd like you to remember, think back to the early days of the primary, and the numerous polls and interviews with AA's who were fearful of voting for Barack Obama because they thought if he was selected he would become a target for the simmering boiling racism that is not far below the surface, ever, for us, right here in our home.  I stress "our home" since African-Americans are as much a part of the foundation stones and building blocks of the US as any group, and actually more so than many who arrived in later waves.

We have been watching for generations.  Like Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" we are ofttimes  like anthropologists; participating and observing at the same time. Always wary.  Sleep with one eye open.  Prayers waft upwards in the hope that there is somebody up there listening from black churches cross America.  "Please keep that young man safe" "God, protect him".  Can't tell you how many times I've heard this repeated.  Sadly, we know that God don't seem to protect those we cherish, or put into leadership.  Can't tell you how many shrines I've seen in black homes.  MLK, JFK and Bobby...Malcolm and others...we know, and feel powerless.

Here's the link: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/5/762110/-We-knew,-and-we-are-watching.-Sadly.