Michelle Obama's Convention Slam Dunk
 

A friend of mine expressed frustration with Michelle Obama's convention speech last night, saying that he wished Obama didn't have to prove that she's "normal" to ease white America's anxiety over her. I didn't have that exact same reaction, although that was definitely one of the goals of the speech. It was definitely a requirement that she prove she's "normal," but the reason I didn't have a problem with that was because she is normal. Yes, she's an exceptionally successful, well-spoken, and composed normal person, but normal nonetheless.

It was amazing to see women of all colors tearing up as she talked about her desires for her family and for her country. Yeah, some of it was political speak and, yeah, the folks in the audience probably liked her to begin with, but it made me realize that, despite the rumors and innuendo and accusations, this is a woman who will teach a lot of ignorant people that you don't have to talk or act or look like someone to relate to them. She might not have reached everyone with that speech, but she closes the gap little by little every time she's on the national stage. I don't know Michelle Obama, but I do know black women like her. And that makes me proud.

Comments (24)

No. 1 · Stacy

Thanks for posting this. I happened to miss Michelle's speech last night.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 10:43 am
No. 2 · Michelle

I adore her.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 10:48 am
No. 3 · Pamalicious

I was just feeling so pleased that the 'face' of who we are is being replaced by her. The Black Family is being placed in it's rightful role as what MOST of us are trying to do. The more we stop giving energy to the dregs of our race, the better.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 10:59 am
No. 4 · DEAF FEMINIST PUNK!!!!!!!!!!

I don't see how they were trying to prove to white voters that they are "normal."

they ARE normal and they got nothing to prove to anybody.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 11:04 am
No. 5 · khia213

She was fabulous! And if the kids were any cuter it would be illegal!

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 11:43 am
No. 6 · that chick

I hate that the Obama campaign feels they need to mold her in to something "normal." What is not normal about an intelligent, beautiful, outspoken Black woman? …. Scratch that, maybe I just answer their question for them.

Sheesh. Its the 21st century here, women have a voice.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 11:46 am
No. 7 · me

For some reason this speech encapsulated the whole thing for me. I was overwhelemed. It was Michelle who initially made me take a second look at Barack. Then, last night really fortified why I love her. I am so pround. The speech brought tears to me eyes…

The kids were too cute, too!

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 11:57 am
No. 8 · Monie

I have complete confidence in Michelle. I knew that she would do a great job. It was still sort of surreal seeing a Black woman standing there as the potential next First Lady.

I hope Black parents made their kids sit and watch Michelle and the kids last night. They are the perfect antidote to the usual bad images of Black people we see in the media.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 12:31 pm
No. 9 · JackJohnson

I don't think it's that the campaign is molding her into something "normal"…she is who she is, but it is about presentation. "What is not normal about an intelligent, beautiful, outspoken Black woman?" is right. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's something that makes people squirm, it makes them uncomfortable, as we've seen, with people criticizing Michelle's every breath.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 1:01 pm
No. 10 · RhymesWithSilver

Letting the real Michelle Obama speak even cracked my Fox News-watching white middle class parents. "I…I feel better about voting for Obama now," my mom said, which is a far cry from how she felt a few weeks ago.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 1:12 pm
No. 11 · solitaire

Michelle was what she's always been, poised, intelligent,graceful, and beautiful. Those traits are not "normal" for 90% of the public, so in essence she's exceptional.

I would love to see her as our First Lady.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 3:04 pm
No. 12 · Daria at Gorgeous Black Women

They're basically trying to make sure they don't continue the Teresa Heinz Kerry treatment on her. At least his campaign deals with GOP f-ery instead of taking it and hoping the American people are smart enough to see the truth.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 3:12 pm
No. 13 · lisjaka

I thought Michelle was wonderful and I would rather vote for her than her husband. I also hate the idea that an educated, poised,intelligent black woman has to explain why she is more educated than most white Americans.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 3:52 pm
No. 14 · Daria at Gorgeous Black Women

No Lisjaka. She had to play down her education and become folksy so that Americans would be comfortable with her. It is sad that this country loves its Xanax queens with small side projects for first ladies (Laura Bush + education, Nancy Reagan + Just Say No, Jackie O + decorating). When they actually get a woman who obviously doesn't fit a very outdated mold of the good wife, they freak out and turn her into the devil. They did it with Teresa Heinz Kerry, Hillary, Betty Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt. Barbara to some extent even. That she's black is just icing on the cake for them because its easier to demonize her. That she's a working mom who really doesn't HAVE to work? Sprinkles on top. Selfish heifer. How dare she take up a job, emasculate her husband by out-earning him and ignore the well being of her young daughters?

All I'm saying is that I'm glad their girls are not in that awkward phase because nothing is sacred. Everyone from Rush Limbaugh to SNL dogged her looks starting from age 12. Look how much plastic surgery Chelsea Clinton got and she is up in the gym daily I bet.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 4:10 pm
No. 15 · J

Monie: I have complete confidence in Michelle. I knew that she would do a great job. It was still sort of surreal seeing a Black woman standing there as the potential next First Lady.

I hope Black parents made their kids sit and watch Michelle and the kids last night. They are the perfect antidote to the usual bad images of Black people we see in the media.

********

JackJohnson: I don't think it's that the campaign is molding her into something "normal"…she is who she is, but it is about presentation. "What is not normal about an intelligent, beautiful, outspoken Black woman?" is right. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's something that makes people squirm, it makes them uncomfortable, as we've seen, with people criticizing Michelle's every breath.

———

cosign

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 6:37 pm
No. 16 · J

I think it's brilliant how they're putting Michelle out there right now and he's behind the scenes. She did an economic forum today and she looked very smart, capable, compassionate (beautiful,) polished and at ease with her position. Very smart.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 7:21 pm
No. 17 · Chic Noir

pamalicious said: The more we stop giving energy to the dregs of our race, the better.

Now Pamalicious, you betta stop talking like this before someone calls you an elitist. SMH, how could you talk about the element in such a manner.*

*sarcasm

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 7:22 pm
No. 18 · Chic Noir

Cosign comment number 14 daria. BTW, I really liked Terressa Hines Kerry.

@monie-I hope so too.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 7:27 pm
No. 19 · Daria at Gorgeous Black Women

Michelle was what she's always been, poised, intelligent,graceful, and beautiful. Those traits are not "normal" for 90% of the public, so in essence she's exceptional.

To the American people…
poised = cocky if female
intelligent = bulldog if female

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 7:29 pm
No. 20 · redsongia

I've never understood the hate-fest on Michelle O. I am not the same color as she is, but she seems 1000 percent more like me and women I know than Laura Bush, who seems like an alien. (I have nothing against Laura, she just doesn't seem like she's from earth, that's all).

Oh, and yeah, thanks for posting her speach.

Posted: Aug 26, 2008 at 8:59 pm
No. 21 · NewYorker

When she first came out, I was like, why is she wearing a green dress. I thought to myself she should have chose something navy blue or one of the patriotic colors. Then I saw an entertainment news show talking about her dress and the dress is Blue NOT Green. Who frikkin did this?

Posted: Aug 27, 2008 at 9:53 am
No. 22 · Txgal

I love her.

Posted: Aug 27, 2008 at 10:52 am
No. 23 · Daria at Gorgeous Black Women

I didn't like the dress either. I think this was picked out by the campaign.

Posted: Aug 27, 2008 at 7:00 pm
No. 24 · SickofIt

I did not see her speech, but she looks like the most miserable human being and I just can't see her being a First Lady. Why does she look so unhappy all the time? Lighten up. She's had a great education, great jobs, been on boards that support WalMart, she's accomplished a lot, but she still seems like she hates this country. I am sick of the white/black crap everyone is pulling. I couldn't care less what color she is, I just think she hates this country and white people and it shows when you hear her speak not from a teleprompter.

Posted: Aug 29, 2008 at 9:15 pm
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