There are five fallacies of racism that explain the misconceptions about the nature of racism. "Tokenistic Fallacy assumes that the presence of people of color in influential positions is evidence of the complete eradication of racial obstacles." This fallacy disregards the existence of racism by pointing to successful individuals and making the assertion that because some people of color have reached certain positions and status in life, racism and its effects do not exist. That successful person becomes a "token" symbolizing a skewed perception of reality where their very existence is proof of racial equality. Just because there are a few exceptions does not mean racism is a non-factor. I feel that people are too naive about this subject. .
For example when people say "well look our president is black, we aren't racist anymore," but what about the hateful and prejudice comments death threats he has received while in office? After President Obama was elected many people, including the media made the case that we are living in a post racial America. We quickly saw that was the furthest thing from the truth. No other president has been treated with such disdain and disrespect even his citizenship has been questioned, and the underlying sentiment is racism. We can point to many examples of racial inequality in America today that negate this fallacy. The recent killings of several black males by the police are a prime example that racism and all of its ugly and evil ways is alive and well. Simply being a black male makes you an automatic threat and therefore, killing you is justifiable. As a black young male in America I see the racism in this country first hand. For example, I was driving through a rich area of Pasadena observing some of the mansions that happened to be in my view, and as I looked out the window I noticed a group of older white ladies stop and look at me until my car was out of sight.