Michelle Obama

Wow.

I cried y’all…I teared up during the promo video.  I teared up during the speech.  But those last 10 minutes…I blubbered like a baby. Michelle Obama’s speech was exactly what she needed to give to re-introduce herself to the American public. 

I recognize Michelle Obama’s life because it’s similar to my own.  More importantly, I know–as any college-educated black female in America can tell you–the struggles, the doubters and the ignorance Obama has had to face at school, at work and within her own community.  She’s had to deal with people who questioned her focus on going to college.  She’s had to deal with coworkers who think that the color of her skin means that she can not do her job.  She’s had to deal with classmates who think that she didn’t get there on her own merits but only as an affirmative action acceptance.  I know that.  I’ve lived that.

But seeing her up on that stage, the possibility that she’ll be our First Lady, filled me with pride.  Not just because of the color of her skin, but as I mentioned back in Februrary, also because she’ll be the first First Lady in my lifetime that I would really and truly admire. I know I’m not alone on this, as as soon as Obama finished her speech, my IMs, phone and emails started beeping and flashing at me.  We laughed and cried and agreed to the happiness and that we’re feeling that as a college-educated black females, we finally have public face America recognizes who is not an entertainer and/or politician.

Thank you Michelle Obama, for being that face.

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The Michelle Obama by Anika Malone, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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This entry was posted on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 10:39 pm and is filed under Democrats, elections 2008. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.

  • She is really something . Her every world is power as in our heart. She the one who been through many thing like us did, that's why they can understand and make it better than other. Finally American have a good president after a long time. THanks for the video.
  • Steven D
    Great post!
  • Kel
    Thank you for posting this. Whilst watching her talk I suddenly became aware of the enormous step the US is on the brink of making. When she spoke of her father looking down on her I did think of how proud he would be if he could see his wife, daughter and son standing in front of the world and promising to take us all to new heights.

    It was breathtaking.
  • Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences! I figured I'd stop lurking and weigh in here. :)

    I was completely floored by her speech, and the biographical video that preceded it. I mean, I expected it to be good, and everything I've known about Michelle has impressed me so far, but last night she made me fall completely in love with her, her husband, their daughters, and their extended family. The passion and pride they bring with them to this campaign is inspiring on a level I've never felt. I really hope more and more people get a chance to see that speech. Outstanding by any measure.
  • rikyrah
    I began to cry when they put the camera on her mother. The look on the face of her mother. I know that look. It broke me, because it was the face of our ancestors, IMO. As far as Michelle. There's been some criticism that possibly Black women idolize Michelle Obama. I was like, no, no idolization, just thankfulness - that someone who looks like us, has our experiences, is finally in front of the world for all to see. The images of us are limited, and I'm being generous when I say that. To see yourself, in all its glory, for all the world to see, that's a heady thing.
  • An amazing speech and series of moments tonight. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I was all choked up during the final moments, too. I work in the non-profit world of community organizing, and to have the possibility that people who understand that type of empowering work have a shot at the Presidency fills me with so much joy. The video was great, I loved that they gave her mother the opportunity to narrate. Powerful stuff. Very powerful.
  • You know what, talking to my cousin he said the same thing. He's worked with Obama before and has such a pride that a community organizer has gotten this far. He said that he was getting burned out, but watching the Obama campaign energized him and made him redouble his efforts in his area.

    And Mrs. Robinson looked like she was holding back tears the entire time. She must be very proud and I like the fact that she narrated the video too. I sounded like my aunt flipping through photo albums just talking about family. Very personal.
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