President Barack Obama offered mixed praise to activists in the powerful Black Lives Matter movement during a speech Saturday to an audience of young people, according to The New York Times.
The meeting came on the second day of the president’s visit to Europe. He fielded questions “on a variety of topics, including Northern Ireland, transgender rights and racial profiling,” writes The Times:
After responding to a questioner who suggested that his administration had not done enough to address racial profiling at airports — a practice that Mr. Obama said he adamantly opposed — the president turned his attention to the Black Lives Matter movement.
He praised the movement as “really effective in bringing attention to problems,” but said young activists should be more willing to work with political leaders to craft solutions instead of criticizing from outside the political process.
“Once you’ve highlighted an issue and brought it to people’s attention and shined a spotlight, and elected officials or people who are in a position to start bringing about change are ready to sit down with you, then you can’t just keep on yelling at them,” Mr. Obama said.
Do you agree with the president? Let us know in the comments.
SOURCE: The New York Times | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty | VIDEO CREDIT: Inform
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