President Obama said students wanting to change society have to be courageous and protest in a thoughtful and peaceful way. He told ABC’s George Stephanopolous that he hopes last week’s protests at the University of Missouri bring change.
“You’re not going to make the kinds of deep changes in society that those students want without taking it on in a full, clear and courageous way,” said Obama.
He said all parties need to listen to one another for progress to happen.
“I’ve read enough to know that there is clearly a problem at the University of Missouri,” said Obama. “I think it is entirely appropriate for students in a thoughtful, peaceful way to protest what you saw with the University of Missouri football team and the coach standing up for something they think is right.”
Obama disagrees with activists who refuse to listen to the other side.
“I think that’s a recipe for dogmatism and I don’t think you’re going to be as effective,” said Obama.
Protesters, including the Mizzou football team, demanded the removal of President Tim Wolfe following criticism of his response to anti-black and Jewish incidents on campus. The football team said they would boycott team practice and games until Wolfe resigned.
A group representing African American students on campus, ConcernedStudent1950, demanded that Wolfe be removed and that a comprehensive racial awareness and inclusion curriculum be developed.
Wolfe resigned last week.