President Obama Addresses Athlete Protests During ESPN Forum

President Obama last night was asked about athlete protests and what is the best way for athletes to effect social change, and he noted there are “so many ways to have an impact.” Obama: “How you do it is less important than your commitment to use whatever platform you have to speak to the issues that matter to people.” The comments came during an ESPN-hosted forum on sports and race from Greensboro, N.C., with anchor Stan Verrett as moderator. Obama said his “attitude with respect to all young people, including athletes who may have a higher profile, is you get engaged, you get involved, you get educated about the issues that are affecting your lives and then figure out what’s the best way for you to make a difference. Some people may decide that’s through protest. Others may decide, 'I want to mentor'” (ESPN, 10/11).