It seems that 2014 will be known as the year where the discussion of race in America reached a fever pitch not seen in decades. Seemingly spending the majority of his political career attempting to dodge the issue was United States President Barack Obama.
That is, until recent major problems with police brutality and racial profiling have placed the spotlight on America.
Speaking with People, both Barack and Michelle Obama opened up about their experiences.
“I think people forget that we’ve lived in the White House for six years,” FLOTUS told the publication. “Before that, Barack Obama was a black man that lived on the South Side of Chicago, who had his share of troubles catching cabs.”
However, both agree that while more has to be done in healing domestic race relations, progress has been made.
“The small irritations or indignities that we experience are nothing compared to what a previous generation experienced,” said President Obama. “It’s one thing for me to be mistaken for a waiter at a gala. It’s another thing for my son to be mistaken for a robber and to be handcuffed, or worse, if he happens to be walking down the street and is dressed the way teenagers dress.”
What do you think of the Obamas’ commentary? Let us know in the comments.
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Photo: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
