Two days after Barack Obama became the first African-American to be voted into the White House, the percentage of black voters who view American society as fair and decent jumped 18 points to 42% (see crosstabs).

Just a month earlier, only 24% of black voters viewed American society as fair and decent.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that nearly half of black voters (46%) still believe society is unfair and discriminatory, but that’s down from 64% in early October. The latest results represent the most positive outlook found among black voters since August, when 53% said they view American society as fair and decent. That month Obama became the first African-American presidential candidate of a major U.S. politial party.

While the opinion of black voters has changed considerably over the past month, the overall population’s has changed little. Sixty-five percent (65%) of voters view society as fair and decent compared to 64% in October.

Democratic voters’ optimism also has grown over the past month, from 47% who viewed society as fair and decent in October to 53% who say the same now.

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Another recent Rasmussen survey found that 70% of African-American voters think relations between blacks and whites are getting better (see crosstabs), up from 67% a month ago. While that outlook hasn’t changed much over the past month, it is interesting to note that just 37% of black voters shared that opinion in September. By comparison, 73% of whites say race relations are better now, while 68% thought that a month ago.

U.S. voters are divided as to which group is more discriminated against – African-Americans or women. While 32% of voters say blacks still suffer more discrimination, an identical number (32%) say women are more discriminated against.

Again, there's been a shift in the numbers since Election Day. In October, 68% of African-Americans believed blacks were more discriminated against than women. Not just 60% feel that way.

A negative finding during the week of the election was that 40% of black voters say they witnessed racial discrimination within that week, while 53% say they did not. In October, just 30% said they personally witnessed discrimination in the past week.

Overall, American voters say American’s best days are in the future by a 47% to 39% margin. That number has changed little from October. However, the percentage of black voters who say America’s best days lie ahead jumped from 59% in October to 68% after the election. Just 23% of black voters now say America’s best days are in the past.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs for American Society and Discrimination available for Premium Members only.