By — Sabrina Caserta, Associated Press Sabrina Caserta, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/barack-obama-receives-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-award-at-nyc-gala Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Barack Obama receives Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights award at NYC gala Politics Dec 13, 2018 10:10 AM EDT NEW YORK — Former President Barack Obama was honored with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award at a gala in midtown Manhattan Wednesday evening. “I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but I’ve been on this hope kick for a while now. Even ran a couple of campaigns on it. Thank you for officially validating my hope credentials,” Obama said during his remarks. The organization’s president, Kerry Kennedy, presented the award, which celebrates leaders “who have demonstrated a commitment to social change.” Past recipients include Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Bono, George Clooney and Robert De Niro. “If we summon our best selves, we can inspire others to do the same. It’s easy to succumb to cynicism, the notion that hope is a fool’s game,” Obama said. “When our leaders are content on making up whatever facts they want, a lot of people have begun to doubt the notion of common ground,” Obama said. “Bobby Kennedy’s life reminds us to reject such cynicism.” @BarackObama giving an acceptance speech tonight at the @RFKHumanRights gala and connecting the political assassinations of the ‘60s to present gun violence and mass shootings, including specifically pointing out #TrayvonMartin pic.twitter.com/06dqa1RgFy — Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) December 13, 2018 Also honored with Ripple of Hope Awards were New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav and Humana CEO Bruce Broussard. Speakers included actors Alec Baldwin, Keegan-Michael Key, Alfre Woodard and journalist Tom Brokaw. This year also marks the 50 anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign for the White House. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Sabrina Caserta, Associated Press Sabrina Caserta, Associated Press
NEW YORK — Former President Barack Obama was honored with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award at a gala in midtown Manhattan Wednesday evening. “I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but I’ve been on this hope kick for a while now. Even ran a couple of campaigns on it. Thank you for officially validating my hope credentials,” Obama said during his remarks. The organization’s president, Kerry Kennedy, presented the award, which celebrates leaders “who have demonstrated a commitment to social change.” Past recipients include Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Bono, George Clooney and Robert De Niro. “If we summon our best selves, we can inspire others to do the same. It’s easy to succumb to cynicism, the notion that hope is a fool’s game,” Obama said. “When our leaders are content on making up whatever facts they want, a lot of people have begun to doubt the notion of common ground,” Obama said. “Bobby Kennedy’s life reminds us to reject such cynicism.” @BarackObama giving an acceptance speech tonight at the @RFKHumanRights gala and connecting the political assassinations of the ‘60s to present gun violence and mass shootings, including specifically pointing out #TrayvonMartin pic.twitter.com/06dqa1RgFy — Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) December 13, 2018 Also honored with Ripple of Hope Awards were New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav and Humana CEO Bruce Broussard. Speakers included actors Alec Baldwin, Keegan-Michael Key, Alfre Woodard and journalist Tom Brokaw. This year also marks the 50 anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign for the White House. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now