President Barack Obama weighed in on the student protests at the University of Missouri against racism, commending the demonstrators for speaking out against injustice, but warning them not to muzzle out their opposition.

Growing unrest and ongoing demonstrations led University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe to resign last week after protesters complained about his handling of racist incidents at the school. His resignation, along with campus demonstrations and a hunger strike, received national media coverage.

Obama spoke about the protests during an interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos that was recorded last Thursday. According to the president, it's "entirely appropriate for students in a thoughtful, peaceful way to protest." However, he added that being an activist also "involves hearing the other side."

"There is clearly a problem at the University of Missouri, and that's not just coming from students. That's coming from some faculty," the president said.

"I want an activist student body just like I want an activist citizenry, and the issue is just making sure that even as these young people are getting engaged, getting involved, speaking out that they're also listening," he added. "I'd rather see them err on the side of activism than being passive."

The president explained that it's very important for protesters to "be able to listen" to dissenting ideas in order to be effective in winning over people who have a different set of beliefs.

The president also referenced protesters during Civil Rights Movement who engaged in acts of civil disobedience and were willing to go to jail in order to stand up against discrimination. However, he added that "the leadership of the movement consistently stayed open to the possibility of reconciliation and sought to understand the views - even views that were appalling to them of the other side."

The president, who protested against apartheid in South Africa as a college student, went on to talk about students on some college campuses that have tried to shut out speech they disagree with and prevented controversial people from speaking on campus.

"You don't have to be fearful of somebody spouting bad ideas. Just out-argue them. Beat them. Make the case as to why they're wrong. Win over adherents," he said.

Watch video footage of the interview below.