politics
Michelle Obama Tells Her American Story in Historic Speech
by Clyde Hughes
It’s funny how kids can bail you out of a jam, big or small, and that’s where Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama found himself late Monday after his wife Michelle, gave a stirring speech on the floor of the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Obama, who was on a live satellite feed from Kansas City, mistakenly said he was in St. Louis. Almost on cue and unprompted, his youngest daughter asked her father, “Daddy, what city you’re in?” giving the presidential candidate the opportunity he needed to correct the minor flub.
It was the only mistake in a night meant to highlight the Obama family and the first salvo in unraveling the stereotypical images of the couple that has been unleashed in the media. Even conservatives on Fox News Monday night had a hard time finding fault with Michelle Obama’s speech, clinging to personal taste and style as a critique when they found no issues to go after.
But if this was an effort to change the Obama’s image from the Addams Family to the Cosby Show’s Cliff and Claire Huxtable, it was a solid first step. The Obamas have a true American story. Barack Obama grew up in Hawaii, raised by his grandparents when his mother was stricken with cancer and through his own personal will and smarts went to an Ivy League school.
Michelle Obama grew up on the south side of Chicago to working-class parents who overcame odds to get the best education possible and attended Princeton and went on to become an attorney. Those are stories we normally celebrate — the meaning of hard work and overcoming barrier after barrier. No one handed the Obamas anything. They didn’t marry into money. They weren’t given any breaks.
But through determination and hard work, they made the American dream come true. Now, as Barack Obama moves a step closer to becoming the first African-American president of the United States, some have tried for months to turn that story on its head.
Obama’s opponents, which not only include conservatives and John McCain supporters, but even alleged Hillary Clinton supporters, went straight for the reliable black stereotypes to smear the Obamas: The uppity black male who doesn’t know his place and the angry black woman who blames everyone but herself for her lot in life. The Obamas’ story is anything but those things, but stereotypes seem to stick when the public doesn’t know your narrative and the opponents are allowed the fill it in.
Of course, one night does not erase months of distortion. Fox News, of course, just couldn’t play fair Monday night. While Michelle Obama was giving her speech, a crawl underneath her television image reminded viewers of her “for the first time in my life” comments she made earlier in the year. To boot, it went on to describe how she changed her the speech after the controversy, seemingly in an effort to tell its viewers, “this is what she’s saying now, but we know the real Michelle Obama.”
Despite these efforts of distortion, we saw the “real Michelle Obama” Monday night and it’s the one America should be very comfortable with as First Lady.
Leave a comment and tell us what you thought about Michelle Obama’s speech.
Tags: politics Discussion
3 comments for “Michelle Obama Tells Her American Story in Historic Speech”
Post a comment
I never thought she had anything to prove. The sentiments she expressed about her husband and his dreams and goals were emotionally sincere while not being “too much”. She was clear, she was professional all while coming across as a successful woman who is willing to stand by her successful man. She is not cowering behind him, she is taking the blows that Fox News dishes out even harder than her husband. She is in a position where nothing she could ever do would appease conversatives. If she were less educated than he and was a stay-at-home mom she would be criticized for being pampered, petted and out of touch with “working” mothers. Here is a successful woman who seemingly has a great marriage not marred by controversy or strife; two healthy, beautiful daughters; and a backbone. Yet, she is still the target of unnecessary negativity.
At least I feel comfortable with Michelle Obama. She feels human to me, as if I met her on the street she would gladly stop to shake my hand. As if we could sit on the same PTA board or bump grocery karts at Wal-Mart. Cindy McCain doesn’t give off that vibe. The feeling I get from her is cold, and unapproachable. She could very well be the sweetest woman but will the country ever get a glimpse of that? When will she give a speech on behalf of her husband’s campaign? When will get to meet Cindy McCain? I would like to know this woman outside of her family’s business. What causes will she champion for this country if she is the first lady? How well can she communicate? This is especially important when dealing with international leaders. Her role is just as vital as that of the president’s!
My emotions were stirred while listening to Michelle’s speech. She addressed what she needed to and politely touched on what she should not. She kept it light, she was smiling, she engaged me and achieved exactly what a speaker should do. This family seems very real to me. I can see them arguing over the remote control; Michelle having to swat her girls from the front seat. They epitomize to me what an American family looks like. Not just their credentials and accolades. They work hard and want to best lives for their kids . . . what else can they possibly do? They are flawed and that is even more relatable to me. Also, what is very striking is that Michelle still blushes as Barack flirts her. You cannot fake a blush!
I enjoyed the speech and I am looking forward to a successful campaign!
-2008 Proud American Voter
U know I wrote about her in Jan he has a Coretta.
u need to read my last two post for real 7 Houses of Czechoslovakia and No John Adams, No LBJ – easy mud slinging for Che…
The only thing I have heard about Cindy McCain is that she is rich and that she tried to pass off a Betty Crocker baking recipe as her own. There probably is pressure for her to speak at the RNC, but I am not sure what she will say or if any normal person will care.