Former President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday in Pittsburgh.

Barack Obama made it clear Thursday which voters matter to him: Black men and a lack of energy that he said “seems to be more pronounced among the brothers.”

Obama was in Pittsburgh on Thursday for the first of a series of rallies aimed at boosting support for Harris and drumming up more enthusiasm among low-propensity voters, particularly black men.

Obama said that with the choice between Harris and Donald Trump so clear to him – because, as he said, she understands growing up with adversity and having those experiences and wants to fight for them – he thought about what she got out of it stops voting for them. The vice president wants to work on housing, making medicine more affordable and working to improve neighborhoods, he said, while “on the other side is someone who consistently disrespects not just communities, but you as a person.”

Obama made a point of emphasizing the role of black women in black families and in America. “When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting,” he said.

He said he fears the reason black men don’t show up for Harris is sexism.

“They come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, I have a problem with that,” he said. “Because part of it makes me think – and I speak directly to men – part of it makes me think that you just don’t feel the idea of ​​having a woman as president, and you come up with the idea of ​​other alternatives and other reasons for it.”

The former president said black men should not support Harris just because she is black, from “our side” and “our tribe.”

“This is outstanding achievement,” Obama said, “and it must be rewarded by our enthusiasm and our work.”