Obama: Virus has torn back curtain on US

Bloomberg

Barack Obama told this year’s graduates at historically black colleges and universities that the coronavirus pandemic has “torn back the curtain” on the idea that those in charge of the country know what they’re doing.
“A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge,” the former US president said during the first of two virtual commencement speeches.
Obama didn’t mention names, but his comments came after his recent blistering attack on President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as “an absolute chaotic disaster” during a call with former members of his
administration.
The comments to graduates of 74 HBCUs focussed on social justice and the importance of activism during the Covid-19 era, and the extent to which the pandemic had fallen disproportionately on the shoulders of minority Americans in cities like New York, Chicago, Detroit and Washington DC.
“Those that were struggling before — they’re hanging on by a thread,” Obama said.

‘Underlying Inequalities’
“Let’s be honest — a disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country,” he said.
Obama also appeared to reference the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia in February, which recently has resulted in charges against a white father and son: “Just as we see it when a black man goes for a jog, and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him if he doesn’t submit to their questioning.”
He also criticised those in power. “And on the big unfinished goals in this country, like economic and environmental justice and health care for everybody, broad majorities agree on the ends,” he said.
“That’s why folks with power will keep trying to divide you over the means. Because that’s how nothing changes. You get a system that looks out for
the rich and powerful and nobody else.”