Obama: Trayvon 'Could Have Been Me'

Speech makes it all about race

President Obama said Friday that Americans should respect the George Zimmerman verdict, but white Americans should also understand that African-Americans continue to face racial discrimination.

"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago," Obama said during a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room.

Obama said he himself has been subjected to casual prejudice, even as a United States senator, but also said African Americans need to address the problems of violence in their own communities.