Barack Obama discusses racism and toxic masculinity at event with NBA's Steph Curry

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. On Tuesday, Obama spoke candidly about stereotypes of masculinity and the need to create spaces where young men of colour don’t feel the need to “act a certain way” in order to be respected. Show me by lifting somebody else up.” Curry responded: “I’ve just been mentored right there.” Obama also made specific reference to racism and how it plays a role in perpetuating toxic masculinity. And that’s a trap.” Obama added that much of the “violence and pain” communities suffer comes from men “seeking respect”, including through gun violence and knife crime, calling it “a self-defeating model for being a man.” The 57-year-old noted how cultural influences, like music, can also perpetuate these stereotypes by bragging about money and showing overly sexualised images of women. When Curry spoke about the need to create spaces where men can be “open about their feelings”, Obama discusses the differences between the way he interacts with his friends and his wife interacts with hers.