Obama Wears âI Canât Breatheâ Shirt To Congressional Swearing-In Ceremony
President Obama surprised Congress today when he attended the 114th Congressional swearing-in ceremony wearing an âI Canât Breatheâ T-shirt. Republican elected officials looked âstunnedâ as the president entered congressional chambers. Reporters said the Republican congressmen looked breathless and âwhiter than usual.â House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio spoke with media after the ceremony and said, âThe shirt is the definition of inappropriate. Racism is not a joke, and the president making such a racist statement is uncalled for on this important day.â Pressed for more insight, Boehner added, âIf the blacks really want to fight for equality, they should listen and do what we say. We know whatâs best. First thing, start by pulling up your pants. Second, stop acting so black all the time.â On a more positive note, Boehner admitted that he âdid enjoy the Cuban cigars the president gave me for Christmas.â But âthis proves Obama has no idea what heâs doing. Thank God the Republicans are back in control of Congress so the country can start moving back in the white direction, I mean the right direction.â Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky told Fox News he wasnât aware of the âI canât breatheâ shirtâs meaning. âI donât understand why he canât breathe. I thought he quit smoking.â After being informed by a staff member on the meaning of the protest slogan, McConnell said, âOh, people are still talking about that? If that guy really couldnât breathe, how was he able to talk? It doesnât add up in my estimation.â You Take My Breath Away The âI Canât Breatheâ campaign started when New York resident Eric Garner was suffocated by New York City police officer Daniel Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. In recordings captured by onlookers, Garner was heard saying, âI canât breathe, I canât breathe.â Public outrage ensued following the incident; Â many professional athletes wore âI canât breatheâ shirts during post game warm-ups, after the police officer was not indicted for murder. Obama spoke with Barbara Walters after the congressional ceremony and said, âThe struggle for justice and equality among the races has been a long road and many miles are left to travel. Think of this shirt as a novelty item I bought at the truck stop while we filled up for cheap gas and grabbed some snacks. âWe are all on this road trip together, and sometimes you need to roll down the window for a breath of fresh air. Wearing this shirt is literally the least I can do to help support the black community during my presidency. But with the Republicans in control of both the House and Senate, I sure as hell canât breathe.â With Obama having the potential to be a lame duck President in his final years, his âI Canât Breatheâ was a last-ditch effort to solidify his legacy. âThere's a real a struggle here, folks. Itâs just not about the public versus the police, or black versus white, or republicans versus democrats. Itâs about having a civilized society versus an uncivilized society.â âMan, quitting smoking while trying to be president certainly wasnât good timing.â