I think what President Obama's talking about is black citizens becoming culturally part of the mainstream. America as a truly color blind society. It's a goal most of us share but the path is contentious...
Selma was easy - cops, dogs, and water hoses were wrong - last gasps of Jim Crow evil. Lines were clear. Blacks in Selma were right, ethical heroic and moving toward the future. Easy. Today it's murky, but the goal is the same. Maybe that's what he's talking about.
Oh brother!