The “Harry Potter” novels are racist.

Black character Lee Jordan’s biased and obscenity-laced Quidditch commentary is racist. The lock-stepping militant Eastern Europeans in “The Goblet of Fire” are racist. The name “Cho Chang” is racist.

There are numerous incidences of racism in pop culture, like “Jungle Book” and its jive-talking King Louie who dreams that “an ape like me can learn to be human, too.” Or Mr. Miyagi and every other old Asian martial arts master’s insistence students be humiliated and treated like crap for no reason other than their apparent enjoyment.

But, all pop culture aside, this is a crucial time for race relations in America.

Sen. Barack Obama’s nomination and America’s — well, half of it, at least — embracement of him is a remarkable milestone in our nation’s history. There is great potential in simply having a minority as the president of the United States, for a generation will grow up knowing the most important man in the United States is a minority.

His candidacy has shown how our nation has changed over the years, said Sharon Bramlett-Solomon, an ASU professor who teaches a class on Race, Gender and Media. “Countries around the world are looking at us,” she said, “and America is showing them our nation is color blind.”

But as symbolic as it is, he’s just that — a symbol. We can’t just use Barack’s nomination and/or presidency as another “One of my best friends is Black.”

According to Census numbers, only 66% of the United States population is white. The only minority to anchor a new show this upcoming television season will be Cleveland Brown, the slow-talking black cartoon character from “Family Guy”.

This is because of television’s practice of whitewashing, or the practice of displaying only complex white characters and racially-absent storylines, said Daniel Bernardi. Bernardi, the Director of ASU’s Film and Media Studies Department, teaches a class on race and gender in American film.

“White characters are far more fuller [than ethnic characters],” said Bernardi. Typically, he said, television deals with race in two ways: with minority characters in the background and not prominent, or in the foreground, but whitewashed to make the white audience members feel more comfortable.

Pop culture is a cultural mirror and a timeline for its society. If American entertainment features dynamic white characters and sideshow minorities, what does it say about all of us?

On that note, what does Sen. Obama’s nomination say about us?

“I think today’s millennial youth are already ahead of the game,” said Bernardi. “The youth will continue to resist the urge to see things in black and white.” He points out some of Obama’s biggest supporters are the youth of America.

The vast majority of this country harbors no ill will towards other races. But that doesn’t mean we should be patting ourselves on the back for being so progressive.

Instead of assuming we are Dr. King’s dream, we should presume we are ingrained with the values we are show on television. We should not assume our tolerance, and instead have faith in our potential for it.

Sen. Obama’s nomination is historic. But do not forget why.

Even if racism is over, which it very well may be, there is no harm in believing it isn’t. The principle for it is in the first sentence of our Constitution: “In Order to form a more perfect Union.”

It is the impossible pursuit of perfection has fueled our nation for 232 years. “Perfect Union”.

Not strong, not progressive, not great — perfect.

Reach the reporter at cogino@asu.edu.