The main trends in U.S. race relations are assessed from the time of the appearance of Gunnar Myrdal's book "An American Dilemna" in the 1940's and Dorothy Newman's examination of the same theme through 1975. Both authors' perceptions of the racial situation and the problems of inequality are briefly reviewed. Rising educational attainment, improved infant mortality and life expectancy statistics, increased black representation in elected and appointed public positions, and growing black entrepreneurship are mentioned as examples of the improved status of blacks in the past three decades. Black protest, and to a lesser degree white social consciousness, especially in the 1960's, are cited as two factors in the progress made toward equality. Gross inequalities, however, continue to exist in the areas of income, employment, housing and education. The conservative mood of the nation, a faltering economy, and the competition of other minority groups are said to have diverted attention and action away from the social problems of blacks. A revival of the philosophical and moral vision of the 1960's is called for in order to avoid a reversal of the progress that has been made. (GC)