Obama interview with Parade Magazine
Parade: If you were female, we would ask, How has being female affected your ability to govern? So, how has being black affected your ability to govern?
Obama: Im sure it makes me more determined in assuring that everybodys getting a fair shotin the same way that being a father of two daughters makes me want to make sure that every woman is getting equal pay for equal work, cause I dont want my daughters treated differently than somebody elses sons. By virtue of being African-American, Im attuned to how throughout this countrys history there have been times when folks have been locked out of opportunity, and because of the hard work of people of all races, slowly those doors opened to more and more people. Equal opportunity doesnt just happen on its own; it happens because were vigilant about it. But part of this is not just because were African-Americanits also because Michelle and I were born into pretty modest means. And so I think about my single mom and what it was like to go to school and work at the same time. And I think about Michelles dad, who had a disability and was working every day and didnt have a lot of money to spare. But somehow our parents or grandparents were able to give us these opportunities partly because they lived in a society that said that was important. And as president, I want to affirm that thats important and reject the idea that if we just reward those at the top, that somehow thats going to work for everybodycause that hasnt been how America got built.
Full interview here: http://www.parade.com/news/2012/09/02-conversation-with-the-obamas.html