Obama Chides Black Lives Matter for ‘Yelling’ Down Leaders (defends Clinton)

[ProudToBeLiberal]

President Barack Obama chided the Black Lives Matter movement, which has disrupted Hillary Clinton’s political events with rowdy protests, saying Saturday that its activists should be willing to sit down with political leaders rather than “yelling at them.”

Speaking during a town hall for young people in London on Saturday, Obama credited the group with shining a spotlight on police brutality, but said generally activists should be willing to compromise once they’ve gotten attention from those who have power to make changes.

“You can’t just keep on yelling at them and you can’t refuse to meet because that might compromise the purity of your position,” Obama said as he discussed his own experience as a community organizer before entering politics.

Activists from the Black Lives Matter movement, which gained national attention amid police brutality protests in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, have protested at several Clinton events. They got into a shouting match with former president Bill Clinton earlier this month. Activists from the group have also protested at rallies for Bernie Sanders and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.

Read more at http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-04-23/obama-chides-black-lives-matter-group-for-yelling-down-leaders

[Matt_in_STL]

1. Uh oh - there's some very specific people here about to be confused

Who gets the support - Hillary/Obama or BLM? And, as I have seen some on here very critical of anyone who states they do not like the methods of BLM, does that now pass to Obama as well?

Popcorn is popping, recliner is prepared.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

2. I think we can support both. Obama is criticizing the my way or the highway approach. nt

[Matt_in_STL]

3. That approach has been defended vigorously here

And those who were not POC that dared to criticize were beaten down quite handily, in many cases for saying exactly what the President just said.

[UMTerp01]

4. He's right

I think I'll take the position of the community organizer who went on to become President of the United States. Be angry. Demand accountability. But there's a right way and a wrong way to get your message across.

[loyalsister]

8. It's easy to have all the answers when it's not your family member dead or behind bars

Bill Clinton may have admitted a mistake with the crime bill, but he and Hillary both need to do more. A foundation for reparations for those affected by mass incaceration would be a start.

Anger is one reasonable response. One that might be more reasonable for a person who saw friends and family spend significant time in prison over a nonviolent felony would be rage. Less rational, but certainly a more proportional response to the kind of injustice perpetrated.

I get what he is saying, but he is speaking from the vantage point of privilege. Black people have been very patient as they have been beaten down physically and emotionally after starting from a point of disadvantage in the first place. This is the stuff of rage and I am surprised it has taken so long for people to fervently demand that USAers recognize the value of black lives.

[polly7]

11. Very, very well said.

I was so glad to see Bernie Sanders willingly give up the mic when interrupted at his event and stand back to listen. That rage is fully justifiable and I don't see how anyone could question where it comes from or why it's there.

[loyalsister]

12. Same here

I supported BLM then and I always will. Bernie treating them with respect was a very revealing moment for me.

[jack_krass]

15. How about unconditional pardon of every non violent drug offender

If Hillary promised to do this, it would go a long way toward winning my vote.

[loyalsister]

16. My only reservation would be uncertainty that she would follow through

I am hoping very much that Obama deschedules marijuana before he leaves office. That way Hillary's opposition would be moot.
Honestly, I could possibly regain some resepct if they would own that mistake and work to make ammends.

[Teamster Jeff]

5. Because being respectful and polite has worked so well in the past.

What bullshit

[DemocraticWing]

6. I've pointed out before that Obama is not very friendly to activists.

I personally think Bernie has been the most understanding of protesters/activists but

[PragmaticLiberal]

9. I have to respectfully disagree.

Overall, I think the President is/has been very respectful to protesters/activists.


Especially the ones interrupting various functions of his.

In general he's always given them their say.

[nc4bo]

7. So...when was/is the fucking meeting Mr. President?!

Has any grand poobah had a serious conversation with BLM?

Cops are still killing.

[PragmaticLiberal]

10. Here you go

http://time.com/4229987/obama-black-lives-matter-meeting/


Black Lives Matter Activist Says Obama Meeting Was Positive

[Stellar]

13. Chicago Black Lives Matter Leader Snubs WH Invite

Chicago Black Lives Matter Leader Snubs WH Invite
http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/chicago-black-lives-matter-leader-snubs-wh-invite

To critics, Obama’s scolding tone with black audiences is getting old
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/to-critics-obamas-scolding-tone-with-black-audiences-is-getting-old/2013/05/20/4b267352-c191-11e2-bfdb-3886a561c1ff_story.html

Obama Pressed on How He Talks to Black Community
http://time.com/3856155/barack-obama-ta-nehisi-coates/

Why Can’t Obama Talk To Black Americans Like That?
http://newsone.com/3042617/why-cant-obama-talk-to-black-americans-like-that/

Fear of a Black President
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/09/fear-of-a-black-president/309064/

[Skwmom]

14. A person was talking about Prince and how he tried to help the youth involved with BLM. The corp

media talking head shut that down real quick.

It's sad that a group fighting for such a worthy cause is being used for political purposes.