who was obama talking about when he said that could be my kid

He was talking about Trayvon Martin. Obama said Trayvon “could have been my son,” and also framed it as “could have been me 35 years ago,” referring to the 2013 remarks he made after the George Zimmerman verdict.

Quick Scoop

The quote is tied to Obama’s response to the Trayvon Martin case, where he was speaking about the broader racial and personal impact of the shooting.

Context

Obama’s point was that Trayvon Martin’s experience felt deeply relatable to many Black Americans, especially young Black men. The remark was widely discussed because it made the case feel personal, not just political.

Why It Stuck

• It was a short, emotional line.
• It connected a national case to lived experience.
• It became one of Obama’s most remembered comments on race.

TL;DR: He was talking about Trayvon Martin in the context of the George Zimmerman verdict and race relations.