Reply #16: I see his comments address baby boomers much like many people see the civil rights movement

[beaconess]

That while civil rights are still an important cause today, because times have changed, our tactics have changed somewhat, too. It doesn't mean that the cause is no longer important - but we must, in many respect, go about things differently to adjust with the changing times.

For example, in the 60s and part of the 70s, marching and protests were an elemental part of most civil rights activity. This wasn't because we were looking for opportunities to spend time in crowds, but because it was the only way to get our voices heard, since we were not represented in or listened to by most elements of the power structure. That has changed somewhat. While we're nowhere near where we need to be, we do have more influence than before. Not only do we have representatives in Congress and in the boardrooms (not enough by a longshot, but some of us have slipped through the door), we also have influence with others who may not look like us.

I think that's what Obama is talking about - he's not belittling, denigrating or dismissing what baby boomers have accomplished - he's simply saying that we must adjust our way of doing things to comport with the changing times.