Page 6 - Florida Sentinel 9-27-16 Online Edition

President Obama News
President Obama Gives Powerful Speech At New Museum
President Obama speaks at opening of Museum.
President Obama ‘Widespread Discrimination Within Justice System Should Concern All’
Saturday morning marked a monumental day for America, a day many believed would never come—the opening day of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution.
NMAAHC was established in 2003 under the authorization of President George W. Bush. But that, of course, was not where the museum’s jour- ney began. That Act of Con- gress followed decades of efforts to highlight and display the contributions and incredi- ble culture and history of African Americans.
As the sun rose that morn- ing and the minute-by-minute countdown to the start of the ceremony began, thousands gathered on the National Mall, as well as invited guests be- hind the museum itself, to make sure that they were pres- ent for an honorable moment in American history.
In the hour leading up to the event, the stars began to flood in, making up an audience of undeniable black power. Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Powell, Shonda Rhimes and many other favorites en- tered the museum, grasping the gazing eyes and attention of those around them.
“Black Girl Magic” was also in full effect from the likes of Ava DuVernay, Octavia Spencer and Lupita Ny- ong’o, to name a few. In fact, in full fashion as always,
Janelle Monae was spotted sporting a black leather jacket with neon letters spelling out “BLACK GIRL MAGIC” on the back.
However, the real magic happened as the ceremonies began and all heads turned to watch the first black President of the United States, Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, take a seat on the stage, sitting beside for- mer President George W. Bush and previous First Lady Laura Bush.
Hearing the timeless quotes of greats such as Maya An- gelou, Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, read by the commanding voices of Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey, was an insightful demonstra- tion, carrying the past into the present.
And as we know music is one of the many contributions of African-American culture, and who better to represent that culture than the Stevie Wonder and vocal power- house Patti LaBelle?
Later, Rev. Calvin Butts of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church got everyone excited with the ever-so-famous chant, “Say It Loud,” as the au- dience responded “I’m Black and I’m Proud!”
President Barack Obama then brought the crowd home with a powerful
speech.
training, and building com- munity trust is what will bridge the gap.
“If you have repeated in- stances in which the percep- tion is at least that this might not have been handled the same way were it not for the element of race, even if it's un- conscious ... Then I think it's important for all of us to say, ‘We want to get this right. We want to do something about it,’” he said.
Earlier this year, Presi- dent Obama held an ABC News town hall discussing the state America's policing struc- ture and the rising racial ten- sions in cities across the country. He maintains his ini- tial stance that police have a difficult job to do, but also noted, "justice is not always
color blind."
While he agrees that the
community should be in tune with the way the police treat citizens, President Obama said, “Looting, you know, burning buildings, breaking glass. Those things are not going to advance the cause.”
As he and Robin stood in front of civil rights relics in- side the museum, the Presi- dent says looking back on history is what will give us a shot to advance even greater into the future.
“And then ultimately it re- quires, I think, all of us to search our hearts to make sure that, you know, we’re asking ourselves tough questions. Are we teaching our kids to see people for their character and not for their color?” he said.
Widespread discrimination within America's justice sys- tem is not a Black issue. It's not a white issue. President Obama says it's an issue for all.
In an exclusive with Good Morning America's Robin Roberts, President Obama toured the National Museum of African American History and Culture before its public opening Saturday. The President went into detail about America's tumultuous racial past and the many miles to go.
“It's unrealistic to think that somehow that all just com- pletely went away, because the Civil Rights Act was passed or because Oprah's making a lot of money or because I was elected president. You know, that's not how society works. And if you have hundreds of years of racial discrimination it's likely that the vestiges of that discrimination linger on. And we should acknowledge that and own that.”
The White House has not detailed the particulars of cases surrounding recent offi- cer-involved shootings as President Obama notes it goes against his policy, he in- sists law enforcement ac- countability, improved police
President Obama being interviewed by Robin Roberts.
Lineup For White House Music Festival Announced
Earlier this month, it was announced that President Barack Obama was joining forces with SXSW to launch South by South Lawn, a small- scale version of the festival to be held on the White House grounds on October 3.
Now, the lineup for the fes- tival has been detailed: the Lumineers, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, and DJ Beverly Bond will perform, with more musical acts to be announced. Additionally, there will be a screening of Leonardo DiCaprio’s cli- mate documentary Before the Flood, which was scored by Trent Reznor and Mogwai.
Not only that, but the Stranger Things kids will make appearances as well.
Like you needed additional reasons to attend a music fes- tival at the White House.
PAGE 6 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016