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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObama Calls Out Online Call-Out Culture: 'That's Not Activism'
Barack Obama isnt a huge fan of online call-out culture.
While speaking at an Obama Foundation event in Chicago on Tuesday, the former president sounded off over what he perceives to be a desire among young people to prove how woke they are by judging others online. This idea of purity and that youre never compromised and youre always politically woke you should get over that quickly, Obama said, to laughs. The world is messy. There are ambiguities. People who do really good stuff have flaws. People who you are fighting may love their kids, and share certain things with you.
He continued to tie the issue to activism:
I do get a sense sometimes now among certain young people, and this is accelerated by social media there is this sense sometimes of the way of me making change is to be as judgmental as possible about other people, and thats enough. If I tweet or hashtag about how you didnt do something right or used the wrong verb, then I can sit back and feel pretty good about myself. Did you see how woke I was, I called you out. Then Im going to get on my TV and watch my show
Thats not activism. Thats not bringing about change. If all youre doing is casting stones, youre probably not going to get that far.
Link to tweet
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https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/obama-calls-out-call-out-culture-not-activism-905600/
JDC
(10,132 posts)Beringia
(4,316 posts)I don't see Pres Obama as an activist.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/3/1/18338691/a-rare-election-night-loss-for-obama-voters-back-benefits-pact-for-presidential-center
Voters in parts of two South Side wards heavily supported a community benefits agreement for the Obama Presidential Center in Tuesdays election, potentially reigniting debate on the issue as the city gears up for the April 2 runoff elections.
Although former President Barack Obama has repeatedly opposed such a pact with the community, the non-binding measure backed by voters called for such an agreement, along with a 30 percent set aside for affordable housing, a property tax freeze and funding for local jobs and affordable housing for the area surrounding the center.