Pres. Obama to LGBT Conference: Real change doesn’t come from D.C., it comes from folks like you

[bigtree]

This weekend, over 3,000 LGBT activists and allies gathered in Atlanta, Georgia for the 25th Annual National Conference on LGBT Equality, Creating Change. Every year, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force President Rea Carey delivers a “State of the Movement” address to the conference, but before she did on Friday, President Obama offered a special video message:

OBAMA: I’ve always said that the change we need in this country — real change — doesn’t come from Washington, it comes from folks like you. Change has always come from ordinary Americans who sit in or stand up or march to demand it. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has been a partner at the forefront of that movement for 40 years.

Decades ago, in the dark days when most doctors declared being gay a mental disorder, you organized and rallied to change their minds. When thousands suffered in the shadows during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, you cast a bright light on their pain. And today, you’re helping to lead the way to a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, no matter who they love or where they come from. [...]

With your help, we will continue the journey to perfect our union. The work will be hard, the road will be long, but I’m more confident than ever that we will reach a better future as long as Americans like you keep reaching for justice — and all of us keep marching together.

read: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/01/28/1502381/president-obama-offers-encouragement-as-lgbt-movement-reflects-on-progress/

watch:

[Bluenorthwest]

1. The President's words, contrasted with the urgings of his self appointed ardents, could not be more

at odds. While the President says "Change has always come from ordinary Americans who sit in or stand up or march to demand it. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has been a partner at the forefront of that movement for 40 years", many times those who do stand up and demand change are told that to do so is 'poutrage' and what we really need to do is 'Chill' because 'he's got this' and they post a photo of the President saying 'Chill- I got this.'
Where does the President say what his 'supporters' say? Where does he say 'I got this, you need to chill'?
Why is it that people who say the opposite of what the President says, indeed who urge actions that are the opposite of actions urged by the President, get by with claiming they support his words and his needs and objectives while those who sit in, stand up and demand change are told all of that is counter to the expectations of the 'supporters'. Who is actually doing what the President says, and who is actually calling for the opposite of what the President asks us to do?
Speaking for myself I will take "we will reach a better future as long as Americans like you keep reaching for justice — and all of us keep marching together." over 'Chill, he's got this' any day of any week.