The girls' reaction to Michelle Obama today is a beautiful depiction of what it means to people

[Empowerer]

who have rarely or never seen people who look like them in positions of power to see Barack Obama as leader of the free world and Michelle Obama on her way to becoming the most admired woman on earth.

As I've posted before, I grew up during a time when we just did not see African Americans - other than perhaps athletes and entertainers - held up as worthy of respect and admiration by people of all races. Black women were never held up as examples of beauty and grace. Beauty was defined by white women, something that had enormous impact on black girls and our self-image, no matter how strong and loving and encouraging our families were.

While many people are empathetic to this, I believe it is difficult for many others who have grown up and live in a world in which virtually everyone in positions of power look like them and who take it for granted that people who look like them are treated with respect to understand the tremendously powerful impact the Obamas are having on people of color - especially children of color.

Watching these girls' faces, seeing their reactions to Michelle, I can imagine how I would have felt at their age had I witnessed a black woman - a woman who looked like me and my mother and sisters and aunts and grandmothers - not only accorded the highest possible respect by people of all races, but accept it with the most elegant grace imaginable. I don't think these girls will ever be the same again - Michelle Obama probably changed their lives today..



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[Cha]

1. It was a beautiful empowering

speech that First Lady Michelle Obama gave in London today..she told the girls, "we're counting on you".:cry::)

[Spazito]

2. Beautifully stated!

Recommended.

[Forkboy]

3. "Michelle Obama probably changed their lives today.."

From the reaction and interviews with some of the girls I'd say it's more than "probably". :)

[siligut]

4. She truly is changing how some people have been taught to perceive themselves.

They both are. We could not have done better.

[Uzybone]

5. Seeing President Obama meet the Queen was like 1/20/09 all over again for me

my parents were born and raised in an African country where "God Save the Queen" was the anthem when they were children. Its a big deal.

[firedupdem]

6. I know even for myself, at 42 yrs old, I beam when I look at Michelle,

we were raised in the same neighborhood during the same time. It just amazes me.

[spindrifter]

7. This is only the beginning! I can hardly wait till

our First Lady takes her powerful message to less developed nation kids!

[rosesaylavee]

8. Yes, she is sending a message... but I think it is reaching a broader audience of children

She not only represents a person of color but a person of moderate means, a middle class woman who has stepped into prominence and who is using her influence to promote hope and kindness. There are so many truly amazing messages she gives when she ventures forth - both verbal and non-verbal that we won't know the scope of this new venture of hers until a few decades from now. She is truly a remarkable human being.

[glowing]

11. She's our Princess Diana.. Now, I understand what the English people felt like

when they lost her.. she was a normal and went to the top and did it better than those born into it.. Mrs. Obama has more class and elegance in her pinky than any of the Bush clan could ever think of possessing.

[rosesaylavee]

14. Very like that...

I was thinking the same thing as I wrote that last night. Thankfully, her personal and public life are less tragic and difficult than Diana's was.

And as for that 'clan', I don't think they could spell class let alone understand it. Traitorous criminals.

[TahitiNut]

9. She's real. There's not even a hint of "patronizing" or "pedantic" in how she speaks to them.

People, especially the short ones, respond to honesty and genuine respect. Michelle keeps it real.

[tekisui]

10. Is the video up online anywhere, yet?

[my2sense]

12. I agree completely

I'm still in awe of her myself and the fact that she is representing this nation with such glass and grace. I sometimes think I'm more proud of Michelle than I am of him - he is after all the President (the one getting paid) to deal with our problems. I love both of them - she is truly an inspiration to all people and particularly women/girls of color.

[DoctorMyEyes]

13. It really is something special, isn't it?

The night Michelle made her speech at the convention I bawled through the whole thing and for the first time (and only time ever) I wished very briefly that my granddaughters were a little older so we could watch this together and that they would comprehend the enormity of what was happening. And then I remembered to be grateful that they're so young that they'll enjoy the benefit of growing up in a world so much different than every previous generation of little black girls in America. And I cried some more.

[TexasObserver]

15. it was awe inspiring

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[alsame]

17. LOL. You're everywhere this morning.

[firefox28]

18. And you too...

with your swooning over Michelle Obama.

[alsame]

19. You're funny.

[AtomicKitten]

22. Meow.

[DangerousRhythm]

33. Wow, is there something wrong with appreciating our First Lady?

This place is just weird lately. O_O

[GentryDixon]

20. Are you truly a malcontent?

Or is it that you enjoy baiting and belittling people?

You are now on my ignore list. :puke:

[NYC Liberal]

21. Heh. I think I know who you're replying to (I only see "Ignored")

[GentryDixon]

29. He is the same one who brought up the "no nylon"

scandal yesterday.

[NYC Liberal]

31. "Ignore" makes reading the boards here so much nicer

[JayMusgrove]

23. Actually Hillary was WORKING alongside our President

and all the other "important people", while Michelle, (just got to love her) was having more fun, as she said, talking to the young girls who adored her.

I don't think Hillary minded one bit being in the summit talks with Obama.

[Starry Messenger]

24. Poor Nell.

Your hosiery in a bunch today?

[Arugula Latte]

25. Wow, are you ever a bitter person.

Your gal didn't win so you resort to hating Michelle, is that how it's shaping up?

Sad and pathetic.

[AtomicKitten]

26. RIP.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=user_profiles&u_id=237701

[Arugula Latte]

27. Hot damn!

:bounce:

[TahitiNut]

32. It was a lock ... just a matter of time.

:shrug:

[Kajsa]

28. Beautifully written, Empowerer.

I asked one of my students, a seventh grader,
what she liked best about Michelle Obama.

Her reply,

" She's beautiful, smart, funny
and she looks like me"

:D : tears and smiles:

[Catherine Vincent]

30. I agree!

Now that is speaking truth to power. :thumbsup:

:kick:

[CBR]

34. Great post! K&R

:kick: