President Obama says ‘The Butler’ film made him reflect on discrimination

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says he got teary while watching “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” a movie about a black White House servant who worked for several presidents.

Obama says he reflected on the effects of discrimination on a generation of people. He says that generation displayed dignity and tenacity and, quote, “put up with a whole lot of mess because they hoped for something better for their kids.”

Obama discussed the movie with radio host Tom Joyner and co-host Sybil Wilkes of the “Tom Joyner Morning Show.”

Obama said White House butlers have been kind and warm to his family. He suspects that part of it is they look at his daughters, Malia and Sasha, and they say, quoting, “Well, this looks like my grandbaby or this looks like my daughter.”