We have made enormous progress in race relations over the course of the last several decades, i have witnessed that in my own life and to deny that progress, I think, is to deny America’s capacity for change. A new Gallup poll shows Americans' perception of race relations essential unchanged since 2002, with roughly 66 percent of black respondents saying relations are good, compared to 72 percent for non-Hispanic whites. Obama also told National Public Radio, in the year-end interview with.