Obama talks about experiencing racism as a child

Mr Obama offered a rare personal account about how he has been affected by racism, during a town hall meeting on race and policing.

He talked about how, when he was a child growing up in Hawaii, a female neighbour once refused to go in a lift with him.

She was just "worried about riding the elevator with me", Mr Obama said.

He said that sense of being feared as a black man continued as he grew older.

"Over time you start learning as you're crossing the street, suddenly the locks start going on doors," Mr Obama said.