Obama: 'Our kids can't all aspire to be the next LeBron or Lil Wayne'

amen, i'll say it again, amen

and this doesn't just apply to any one race, too many kids grow up without understanding of the joy that being good at a job that benefits others can bestow.

what a president! keep up the good work BAM!

Having a black President doesn't prove discrimination has been eliminated. It's not like he got 100% of the vote. Quit being so simple-minded and realize things aren't always so black and white (Pun not intended).

Everyone is being discriminated against. However, he makes generally good points.

"He lost me the moment he told black people they were STILL being discriminated against (in an age in which HE got to be President, as a self-identified black).

Sick of hearing it. Take responsibility, and stop blaming."

Wow, so because one person did it, everyone else MUST just be slacking or something?

By your logic, we could come to this: one person is rich. Therefore, poverty doesn't exist.

Good critical thinking there.

Anyone remember how Lil Wayne is a criminal? Like how he was arrested on multiple felony counts, multiple times, for things like drugs and carrying loaded guns on his tour bus illegally, and being a fugitive?
I hope Obama doesn't think crooks like Lil Wayne are role models. Too many ignorant people already do.

I believe he said "the pain of descrimination is still being felt". I think he meant that the legacy of past racial descrimination is still manifesting itself within the black community.

As quoted: "He lost me the moment he told black people they were STILL being discriminated against (in an age in which HE got to be President, as a self-identified black). Sick of hearing it. Take responsibility, and stop blaming."

...because one example is all that's necessary for the burden of proof. I'm sick of hearing it too--but at an intentionally higher level, which includes sweeping generalizations based on limited sets. A single example that proves it for you is not sweeping proof.

I don't think he ever 'had' you, J Cline. So, it might be disingenuous on your part to suggest he 'lost' you at that particular moment.

There will never be a time when there is absolutely no discrimination in the world. It's sad but true. We will always find some reason to discriminate against one group or another. Overweight or underweight, tall or short, intelligent or ignorant, blind or sighted, homosexual or hetero, Christian or Muslim, conservative or liberal, young or old, and the list goes on and on.

I applaud what Pres. Obama said; it is important to all families.

As a former teacher, I know that too many families use the TV and video games as babysitters. Both need to turned off and books need to be opened.

It would also do children a world of good if they saw their parents reading. If parents would stress the value of education over sports (not every one can be a successful athelete no matter how good he/she seems to be) and would balance that with sensible healthy habits of good diet and exercise their children would have tools that will help them succeed in any endeavor.

No child should be deprived of a good education and a good start in life!!

Having been reverse-discriminated against myself... I am very bothered by these remarks. Oh by the way.. I am white and was at the top of my class to become a police officer BUT in my area they needed blacks, females, and Hmong - not white guys. Who got hired? Those that were at the bottom of the class and had to retest and retake many of the classes where a C or better was required in order to fulfill the requirement.

Stop the blame game and take responsibility for your own actions (and grades).

WOW! The Prez just dropped Lil Wayne's name in a speech!! Weezy just sold 1,000,000 more albums. What do I have to do to get the president to promote my band in a speech?

Outstanding speech from our President, He mentioned Lil wayne and Lebron becuase sooo many of our children look at athletes and rappers as role models.
He stated " to insprie to be doctors, teachers, scientist...etc. Reach higher is the message!

P.S. Descrimination is still prevalent in America, it's getting beter but it's still here!

Discrimination? As a white male we are the most disadvantage. Just look at the NJ firefighters. Obama may be a self identified black and black Americans may look to him as one of their own but everyone forgets he has a white mother from Kansas and a dad that is from eastern African. Most black people in America are from western African descent. Wouldn't that make Obama more like the white American than the black American?

For those that criticize him for saying that discrimination still exists: Didn't W. Bush make the same statement?

How many people can say that less than 40% of white people in this country call black people niggers when in their home or around only white people? I know the truth, are you willing to admit it...

He was telling the truth, but saying that you have to work through it and things are easier for this generation than they were for past generations.

Hard not to get inspired when this President speaks. And watching how he acts. I agree with word to ya mutha, nothing else brings as much lifelong, everyday joy and satisfaction as doing a job well that benefits others. That's why I support the rest of the President's program — stimulus, healthcare, green jobs — because I want our kids to have the opportunity to make their mark and feel that satisfaction.

You like Obama....great me too

You dont like Obama....theres a billion more governments out there try them out.

Just to let some of you know and understand, their are examples of discrimination that still exist in this country. Just because you don'y see it personally or hear of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Three weeks ago some club in PA invited black and latino children just to swim in there pool, and the white families acted and lets not mention the reaction from the club itself. They actually admitted to the discrimination in their explaination letter to the organization they were hosting.

So when you say he lost me, no it's you who lost yourself in turning a blind eye to the wrongful deeds of some. When you say sick of hearing it, you are really saying; Yeah! Keep it going! When take responsibility, we are letting the public and our govrnments know it still exist in 2009. By the way, it's okay to piont the finger at the person(s) that violated you or your community. Just because America voted and elected a Black President doesn't mean these violations of human dignity and civil rights don't remain the same in some aprts of this country. It shouldn't exist period! We all need each other, EVERYONE!

There was a study referenced in the book "Outliers" tried to determine if "rich" children were smarter than "poor" children. You know what the study found? There was no difference between the children's intelligence. The difference the study found was what happened in the home when school was out or during the summer. The poorer children were falling behind because their parent(s) did not engage the children to push them to be active or to study. The richer children were constantly engaged and participated in activities. The solution to the problem starts in the home and the culture the children are raised in.