Barack Obama Voices Support of Protestors and Reform in His Address to the Nation
Barack Obama addresses the nation and delivers a message of hope.
In his message to the nation, Barack Obama sheds the light and hope our country has been seeking in the midst of protesting against racial injustice. In the “Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Police Violence” an MBK Alliance Town Hall Series, Obama is joined by panelists of Brittany Packnett Cunningham (Activist, Educator, Writer), Phillipe Cunningham (City Council Representative of Minneapolis), Playon Patrick (MBK Youth Leader, City of Columbus), Eric H Holder, Jr. (Former Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice), and Rashad Robinson (President, Color of Change). Obama identifies the protests as a result of not just recent events, but of America’s history of “original sin”, racism. Additionally, Obama speaks on how change has always been brought upon by the younger generation of its time as he noted Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Malcolm X amongst the young men who fought for change. He also expressed his support of protesters, stating “For those who have been talking about protest, just remember that this country was founded on protest — it is called the American Revolution.”
In our @MBK_Alliance town hall yesterday, I mentioned James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time. From 1962, it remains a seminal meditation on race by one of our greatest writers and relevant for understanding the pain and anger behind the protests. Excerpt: https://t.co/50F9ZP3JhQ
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 4, 2020
In his address, Obama also speaks of #8CantWait, a new movement that has ignited reform for police violence. On this platform, partnered with Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, you can determine where your city stands concerning the proposed change in legislation the platform recommends based on the data and research provided and initiated by activists for human rights principals. You can locate your city as well as your mayor’s contact information by going to joincampaignzero.org.
My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) was founded by Barack Obama in 2014 to address the social and racial injustice throughout America. In 2015, the MBK Alliance was subsequently formed to support the achievements of and opportunities for boys and young men of color. In 2017, the MBK Alliance became part of the Obama Foundation. You can learn more about MBK and how you can contribute here.
Today at 5 PM ET, @BarackObama along with local and national leaders in the police reform movement will join us for our town hall, Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Violence.
Tune in at https://t.co/jUKHDywBo7. pic.twitter.com/GC7uNphfiE
— MBK Alliance (@MBK_Alliance) June 3, 2020
You can watch the full video here. And remember Obama’s words: “…We should all be thankful for folks who are willing, in a peaceful, disciplined way, to be out there making a difference.”
