Barack Obama takes on 'woke' call-out culture: 'That's not activism' 

This video needs to be shown to around half of all Twitter users.

I’m definitely a conservative and disagree with Obama on plenty. However the man is intelligent and I have a fair amount of respect for him. This is one argument where I totally agree with him.

When even Obama is Calling out Wokeness I think it's time to Make it Stop

people want to change the world and others so bad but don't want to change themselves

My take on "woke culture" is this: You have the right to believe whatever you want. That's totally fine. What ISN'T fine is for you to shame, and belittle others who don't share the same views as you do.

The real problem is that Twitter as a platform just sucks. I bet it’s designed to generate controversy (and therefore engagement) due to the misunderstandings created by its short character limit.

The only reason cancel-culture and call-out exists is because the people who partake in it are wounded and unsatisfied with themselves, so it’s easier to focus on someone else to divert attention from yourself.

Love him or hate him, Obama spitting straight facts here

I think all of us on every side of the political spectrum can agree with this. Right-wing, left-wing, conservative, liberal, etc. Obama is just correct, here.

“Thanks Obama” For real on this one.

“I am outraged and offended on behalf of someone else who I have never met before in my entire life.” - OMG. I have changed the world by making people online aware of something!!!!!

Who in their right mind would dislike this video? Whether you like the guy or not, he is talking perfect sense.

This dude looks smart. He should try running for President.

“They find it more important to be right than to be effective” - Stephen Fry

As a conservative, these are true words of wisdom.

I like this guy I feel like he has a bright future ahead of him

I'm glad this nonsense is finally facing a proper backlash.

I’m a leftie and I agree with this 100%

Some people on Twitter didn't like this at all and tried cancel him 😂😂🤣🤣

Basically what he means is if you judge others for their mistakes, when literally everyone has made a mistake at some point in their life, you’re part of the problem

This should be the first video you have to watch whenever you go onto social.

I don’t agree with Obama’s politics but I respect him for his accomplishments and for being ethical. He’s 100% right here.

"If all you're doing is casting stones... you're probably not gonna get that far..." - Barack Obama No truer words said. The way to make the world a better place is not to tear each other down, but to build each other up. We shouldn't pounce on one another's faults, mistakes or perceived wrongdoing - we should approach each other with kindness always.

This should be shown every time someone opens a social media account and when a politician speaks.

We used to complain that religious conservative types were judgmental and wow! Has it ever swung around to the other side of the political spectrum. We should've seen it coming.

This has a whole new level of relevance in July 2020. Cancel culture is still sadly a thing.

I don’t always agree with Obama but I can 💯 agree with him on this one.

The hell is this? sense.

Wonder if the Guardian will take his advise.

The most reluctant and subdued round of applause ever. I could practically hear the heads turning, and the eyes looking around the room to make sure it was ok to clap.

Wokeness is being offended for a group you're not apart of (and actual members of the group aren't offended) and posting about it on the internet.

He is 100 % right. Old school liberals agree!

I am conservative politically, but I'm not sure I have heard this point made better by any political figures, left or right.

Why are guardian posting this. They are the the newspaper version of exacrly what Obama is referring to!

Also, calling out people for things they've done when they were very young....that's plain stupid. People change, people GROW UP. Sometimes takes certain people a little more, others a little less. But we are NEVER perfect, but we can do our best, but it takes time. Let's not forget growing up, changing and, for certain stories, redemption are all THINGS that exist and that are part of people daily life much more than perfection is. Let's not be "woke". Let's be mature. As much as we can.

Being imperfect is where our most authentic freedom comes from. Especially our freedom to truly be at our best for ourselves and for others.

This generation is so toxic and self righteous. Everyone cast a stone.

Here we have Obama: A) Not trying to be cool ✔️ B) Not trying to be the ‘great orator of our time’ ✔️ C) Speaking a tonne of sense ✔️ Respect.

“People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” We’ve given up on that premise in society.

Lol he's talking about the guardian.

Title of the video should be retitled to: "Obama puts woke people to sleep."

It's easier to see the flaws in others than myself...activism is about making change and inserting yourself honestly in the conversation...great message

Did he just call out people who call out??

I’m a strong conservative, but I have nothing but respect for that man.

The problem with throwing stones is that eventually someone will throw that stone back at you. Be careful of what you say and how you say it because it will bite you in the end

This is a very valid point...one both sides of the aisle should take note of.

I think he was referring more to "call out culture" where people shame others on social media for whatever mistakes or deeds they may have done that may not line up with their views about society. Propping yourself up as "woke" is a part of it but the judgemental part is the call out culture.

Guardian surely didnt take this one to heart

I didn’t like Obama during his presidency but I can 100% respect what he is saying because it is TRUE.

Very true. Guardian, take note.

When even Obama is dissing you, you know you gotta be doing something wrong.

I don't agree with everything Obama does or says, but I think he's on the money with this one for sure.

It’s been so long...logic, facts, thoughtfully worded sentences...how I’ve missed you

I never voted for him and disagree with him on a lot of political stuff, but I love him as a person. Thank you sir for your wisdom and for sharing your thoughts =)

So nice to hear a president making sense and being smart instead of insulting people and bragging about stuff he hasn't done

It took a whole lot of courage for President Obama to speak the truth about this. I have so much respect for him.

“Our starting point is always wrong. Instead of beginning with ourselves,we always want to change others first and ourselves last. If everyone would begin first with themselves, then there would be peace all around!” - Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

"The world is messy, there are ambiguities" Are there people that are in their right minds, regardless of who you are, that could legitimately contest this comment he made? Edit: Wow didn't think I'd get many likes so thanks guys. I just ask y'all spread this around because regardless of who is in office, it is apparent we need to get back to basics and work OUR way up from there, sit down and really think, is this turmoil something we want to leave for those to deal with after our jobs are done here?

That's what I always say, "casting stones is too easy" you need to work if you want change.

Everyone should share this on their social media timelines. People need to see it, especially CNN and Fox news.

That's pretty much it. It's one thing to be casting shame on the system, it's another to actually change it. And the more we throw about accusations rather than actually tackle injustices, the more we make ourselves out to be the problem, rather than the solution, and drive more to the arms of those wilfully orchestrate the inequality we should be fighting.

Forgive the meme but I mean this sincerely, Thanks Obama.

This is a sophisticated way to call out narcissism.

Now this is a president.

I don't like a lot of what Obama did or lack thereof, but I gotta respect and praise him for his intellect and stance on this issue!

As a right leaning libertarian I agree with him on this

Such an important speech in today's world

I’m conservative and don’t like Obama’s policies but I do have respect for the man for being very well spoken

Smartest thing I’ve ever heard the man say. Considering what we’ve been through lately I’d actually like to see him come back and I’m a republican.

He is so articulate and well spoken. I loved having him in office.

One of the more wise things he's ever said.

Absolutely right. This should be shown in every school and university followed by a debate

Thank you, Mr. Obama. More love, less hate.

That guy should definitely run for President.

For Obama, the flag-bearer of liberalism, to call out political correctness like this is a very big deal

"The combination of common-enemy identity politics in microaggression training creates an environment highly conducive to the development of a 'CALL-OUT CULTURE', in which students gain PRESTIGE for identifying small offenses committed by members of their community, and then publicly 'calling out' the offenders. One gets NO points, NO credit, for speaking privately and gently with an offender - in fact, that could be interpreted as colluding with the enemy. . Call-out culture requires an easy way to reach an audience that can AWARD STATUS to people who shame or punish alleged offenders. This is one reason SOCIAL MEDIA has been so transformative: there is always an audience eager to watch people being shamed, particularly when it is so easy for spectators to join in and pile on. . Life in a call out culture requires constant VIGILANCE, FEAR, and SELF-CENSORSHIP. Many in the audience may feel sympathy for the person being shamed but are afraid to speak up, yielding the false impression that the audience is unanimous in its condemnation." . ~ Jonathan Haidt, "The Coddling of the American Mind" (An amazing book everyone should read!!!)

He is so articulate, calm, in control, & simply clear with his idea(s). I wish we had someone in office like this right now.

Barry O spitting facts. You can't play moral police when your morals are just as skewed as the people you hate.

Self righteous people are the absolute worst that humanity has to offer

Hey Guardian, this is for you. Anyone from Buzzfeed here? Please listen. Vice? WSJ?

Seriously, I would love for someone that disliked this video to explain why.

such an elegant and noble person. the US is lucky to have had him as president.

Im not the biggest obama fan but i have to agree with him here

And... He's talking to YOU, Guardian columnists... Take heed.

I didn’t know how much I loved him til Trump was President.

Always the voice of reason. Lord how I miss that!

I consider myself conservative, but I like this guy! Upon reflection I do it too. It’s easy to criticize someone else, It’s hard to look at my own faults!

Something everyone can agree on I believe

"Obama comes out as leader of the alt-right who has dinner with Richard Spencer on the regular"

I don’t like Obama but he's 100% correct here.

It's always refreshing to watch him. Especially in these crazy times

Obama now would probably be considered center-right in the US's political spectrum

As a libral, I agree. This attitude and behaviour exists on both sides of the political spectrum but I'm more concerned when I see my own side doing it because I feel like they're sabotaging important issues by behaving badly. Everybody, right and left, seems to have lost the capacity for proportional response.

It's the integrity. I miss that. Democratic or Republican,I just want a president I can respect again.

Why didn't he said these words in during his presidency.

Even for those who disagreed politically with him, what cannot be denied is that he’s an intelligent, civil person.

Just believe what you want and don’t try to cancel people who have a different opinion than you do

Guess the "thanks obama" meme has a new context now.

Ironic that he's talking about his own supporters.

I love love LOVE how he put it in simple words and in just one and a half minutes.