16 Writers Reflect On The Revolutionary Meaning Of Michelle Obama
In her forward to Veronica Chambers’ The Meaning of Michelle, filmmaker Ava DuVernay describes a historic scene. In the center of her story is, of course, Michelle Obama, the first lady who’s spent two terms standing beside and, in some ways, rocketing past her husband, President Barack Obama. On the particular day DuVernay chose to remember, Michelle ― in a deep red shift dress ― was touring her then-future home for the first time.
“Damn being demure! The sight of her striding up the White House steps was a transformative image to behold,” DuVernay writes. “In one wardrobe choice, this stellar sister brought a breath of fresh air to the hallowed halls of the world’s most famous residence [...] In that one photo op, Michelle infused the image of the First Lady with pride, panache and polish. Many of us saw a woman to be admired. A woman to be trusted.”
“Scratch that,” she adds. “Many of us saw a Black woman to be admired. A Black woman to be trusted. There it is.”
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For many of these authors, the allure of Michelle is both academic and personal, a draw so intimately connected to identities of womanhood, motherhood, blackness and beyond that her influence is rarely described without the object “us.” She stirs us, provokes us, leads us, emboldens us, so many write. Her achievements can be our achievements, so many intone; she is both singular and a reflection of a rising tide of women leaders. “Michelle!” DuVernay proclaims. “That name now carries a whole world of meaning.”
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Benilde Little on Michelle’s pride:
“Michelle resonates for us on a deeply personal level. She’s given us permission to be ourselves, on a national stage, to be proud of our Blackness, our realness, our humble beginnings, our regular-ness, our greatness. To not be perfect and to not even have that as a goal, because she’s smart enough to understand that perfection is its own prison.”
Read More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-meaning-of-michelle-book_us_587d3db2e4b086022ca94ee3
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I am so proud of Michelle, an inspiration to us all. I may have a different skin color, yet so proud to have called her our First Lady. I can only imagine the pride black men and women felt and the children, the children could look up at the first couple and say proudly, they look just like me. A truly inspiring women with class and grace, a true beauty that is not just outward, it goes straight to her heart.
A descendent of slaves she became the First Black Woman to live in our White House, one built by slaves, as our Flotus. I for one will be forever grateful to them both.
Thank You~
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What an inspiration! We were SO LUCKY... SO VERY FORTUNATE to have her as our First Lady.
Class. Style. Charm. Grace. Determination. Honor. Love. Patience. Humility. Sincerity. Compassion.
What more could we ask for?
We love her no matter our color. Blacks and POC all the more...they look like them....so motivational. A future to believe in.
I never have felt in safer hands than with the Obamas.
Thank you Jackie.
Mahalo for Michelle
and their legacy will live on forever
We now begin.
Thanks Cha.
