Clinton: As a 'White Person' I Need to Talk About Racism More

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton said at a town hall Monday night that as a "white person" she has to "talk about [racism] more" to raise awareness about its effects in society.

Clinton was answering a question from a young black lawyer who said that she felt disadvantaged in her field because of the color of her skin.

"We are still facing and struggling with systemic racism," Clinton told her. "It's true in employment and promotion and other job opportunities. It's true in education. It's true in health care. It's true in the criminal justice system."

"That's why I talk about breaking down all the barriers," the former secretary of state added. "We have economic barriers, to be sure. But we have very entrenched barriers of discrimination."

Clinton offered her take on "some things we have to do" to counter racism in the U.S.

"Number one, we have to talk about it more. And as a white person, I have to talk about it more," she said. "And say that we are not a post-racial society. We still struggle with racism and it is not only wrong, but it is holding us back. Because for every young woman like yourself ... who is held back that not only hurts you, it hurts us."

Clinton added, "We have to use the bully pulpit, which I intend to use, to speak out about systemic racism every chance I get."

The town hall Clinton was speaking at was hosted by MSNBC and moderated by host Rachel Maddow.

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