Diaspora Desk

Barack Obama Discusses With Marcus Rashford

Published

4 years ago

May 28, 2021.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has discussed with Marcus Rashford concerning the power of youths.

EkoHotBlog reports that the former U.S. President Barack Obama had a virtual discussion with the Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford on the power and influence of young people.

The 44th president of the United States in a Zoom conversation organised by Penguin Books spoke with the England striker on the power young people can have to make a change in society.

The conversation focused on the importance of giving back to the local community.

Also discussed was the positive impact of reading, as well as other themes from the former president’s memoir, A Promised Land.

The two shared experiences of being raised by single mothers.

Rashford, during the coronavirus pandemic, spearheaded a prominent campaign to tackle child food poverty in the UK.

The campaign led to 1.7 million vulnerable children being supported by a £520m government scheme. Other projects delivered 130 million meals.

Rashford, 23, also launched a food education and cooking project for children, “Full Time Meals”.

Obama said: “A lot of the young people I meet – including Marcus – they’re ahead of where I was when I was 23. They’re already making changes and being positive forces in their communities.”

Rashford said: “It’s quite surreal, isn’t it? I’m sitting in my kitchen in Manchester, speaking to President Obama. But, immediately, he made me feel at ease.

“It wasn’t long before I realised just how aligned our experiences as children were in shaping the men you see today – adversity, obstacles and all. I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it. When President Obama speaks, all you want to do is listen.”

The full conversation which was moderated by broadcaster and author June Sarpong, will be made available on Penguin UK’s YouTube channel.