President Obama tells young to ‘reject cynicism’

United Kingdom, April 23: US President Barack Obama has urged young people to “reject pessimism and cynicism” and “know that progress is possible and problems can be solved”.

Speaking in London, he said: “Take a longer, more optimistic view of history.” Earlier, the US president visited the Globe theatre and watched actors perform scenes from Hamlet.

It came a day after he said Britain would be at “the back of the queue” for US trade deals if it left the EU.

His comments angered Leave campaigners. UKIP leader Nigel Farage accused him of doing Downing Street’s “bidding” and “talking down Britain” and Tory Liam Fox said his views were “irrelevant”.

Following his appearance at Lindley Hall in London, Mr Obama met Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Corbyn said he had had an “excellent” discussion with the president, adding that Mr Obama had congratulated him on being elected leader of his party.

Taking questions from young people at the earlier town-hall event, Mr Obama said: “If any of you begin to work on an issue that you care deeply about, don’t be disappointed if a year out things haven’t been completely solved.
“Don’t give up and succumb to cynicism if after five years poverty has not been eradicated and we haven’t resolved all of the steps we need to take to reverse climate change.” Progress is “not inevitable” but must be fought for over the long term. BBC