Speaking to People Magazine candidly about race, President Obama was asked what he thought about LeBron and others wearing tees that support the #blacklivesmatters movement.
Here is what he had to say.
The President said basketball superstar LeBron James did the right thing when he wore an ‘I can’t breathe’ T-shirt – referring to the chokehold death of Mr Garner – on to the court.
He told People: ‘I think LeBron did the right thing. We forget the role that Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe and Bill Russell played in raising consciousness.
‘I’d like to see more athletes do that – not just around this issue, but around a range of issues.’
While speaking on other things that have happened to him over the years (being confused for a valet, being ask to get coffee at a black tie event just to name a couple) he made a statement I think people really need to digest.
‘The small irritations or indignities that we experience are nothing compared to what a previous generation experienced,’ Obama said.
There are serious problems with race relations in 2014, but it doesn’t compare to 1964, so while we have to continue to fight for equality, we also have to recognize that things have gotten better.
When I see these protests I don’t just see minority faces, I see a lot of white faces as well and that gives me hope.
H/T Daily Mail
