Barack Obama Writes Essay On Effecting Real Change
After releasing a statement on the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, former President Obama wrote a more lengthy statement on the role of protest in catalyzing political change. Continue on to read Barack Obama Essay…
CelebNPolitics247.com reports that former President Obama had this to say about the unjust killing of George Floyd in late May.
Earlier this month former President Barack Obama wrote a essay on “how to make this moment a real turning point to bring about real change.”
Obama went on to say that he “pulled together some resources to help young activists sustain the momentum by channeling their energy into concrete action.”
He wrote on Medium:
The bottom line is this: if we want to bring about real change, then the choice isn’t between protest and politics. We have to do both. We have to mobilize to raise awareness, and we have to organize and cast our ballots to make sure that we elect candidates who will act on reform.
Obama added:
The point of protest is to raise public awareness, to put a spotlight on injustice, and to make the powers that be uncomfortable; in fact, throughout American history, it’s only in response to protest that the political system has even paid attention to marginalized communities.
He continued:
But eventually, aspirations have to be translated into specific laws and institutional practices — and in a democracy, that only happens when we elect government officials who are responsive to our demands.
Obama recommended that protesters and organizers calling for police reform make specific demands. As well as, holding leaders accountable, and tailor those demands to local institutions.
Barrack went on to state:
The more specific we can make demands for criminal justice and police reform, the harder it will be for elected officials to just offer lip service to the cause and then fall back into business as usual once protests have gone away.
He also emphasized the voting issues in the Nation and locally.
Obama wrote:
I recognize that these past few months have been hard and dispiriting — that the fear, sorrow, uncertainty, and hardship of a pandemic have been compounded by tragic reminders that prejudice and inequality still shape so much of American life. But watching the heightened activism of young people in recent weeks, of every race and every station, makes me hopeful. If, going forward, we can channel our justifiable anger into peaceful, sustained, and effective action, then this moment can be a real turning point in our nation’s long journey to live up to our highest ideals.
