Former President Barack Obama addressed a room of attendees at the fifth annual My Brother's Keeper summit on Tuesday and warned young men about the dangers of falling into a curse of toxic masculinity, per HuffPost.
Joined by Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, the 44th president discussed several stereotypes which follow young men of color and finding ways to deviate from fitting into those molds at the three-day convention in Oakland, California. Obama and Curry began their conversation by introducing themselves as "Michelle's husband" and "Ayesha's husband," respectively.
"All of us have to recognize that being a man is first and foremost being a good human," Obama said. "That means being responsible, working hard, being kind, respectful, compassionate."
Alongside Curry, the Hawaii native also encouraged audience members not to belittle anyone else in the process of reaching their goals, and instead find ways to uplift your inner circle.
"If you're confident about your strength, you don’t need to show me by putting somebody else down," Obama asserted. "Show me by lifting somebody else up."
"I've just been mentored right there," Curry responded.
According to The Obama Foundation website, President Obama launched the My Brother's Keeper campaign in 2014 as a "call to action to close opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color." On stage, both leaders were joined by nearly two dozen young men of color as they delivered their remarks.
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Obama also made sure to touch on the evergreen topic of race, and The Independent reports the Harvard Law grad also drew comparisons on how it contributes to a culture of toxic masculinity.
"Racism historically in this society sends a message that you are 'less than,'" the country's first Black head of state said.
"We feel we have to compensate by exaggerating stereotypical ways men are supposed to act. And that’s a trap."
Michelle's husband left the audience of future leaders with poignant thoughts, letting them know they are responsible for not only their success but the success of this country.
"You are the ones who are going to make a difference and make an impact. This is not going to me, it's going to be you." —President @BarackObama's closing words to the hundreds of boys and young men of color gathered at #MBKRising. pic.twitter.com/Wwv0Q4Vp5M
— MBK Alliance (@MBK_Alliance) February 20, 2019
President Obama is a joker at heart, and he couldn't share the stage with Curry without taking some subtle jabs at the three-time NBA champion's jump shot. Per TMZ, Obama introduced Curry by alluding that he gave the Warriors guard some tips on his shooting technique when the team visited him at the White House several years ago.
"Even Bulls fans have to acknowledge that it's been fun to watch the Warriors and the greatest shooter of all time — because I gave him some tips right before, about 5 seasons ago, there's film of this in the White House."
Ayesha's husband echoed Obama' sentiments and jokingly said Obama fixed his "chicken wing" jumper, in addition to his resume.
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