The United States is witnessing its most disruptive nationwide rebellion since 1968, sparked by the police lynching of George Floyd but fueled by endemic police racism and the state’s more general failure to protect the population, especially black and brown people, from violence, disease, and poverty. As usual, a parade of experts has emerged to instruct rowdy protesters on the proper way of achieving change.

Former president Barack Obama has joined the chorus in a video and statement on “How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change.” While proclaiming his sympathy for protesters’ rage, he urges them to stop damaging property and to redirect their rage into elections.

“The point of protest is to raise public awareness,” Obama argues, but change “only happens when we elect government officials who are responsive to our demands.” Unfortunately, voter turnout in local elections for mayor, county executives, and prosecutors “is usually pitifully low, especially among young people.” In other words, angry youth need to cut out the foolishness and get serious about electoral campaigns.