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What Michelle Obama meant....
Check this out. It's a super video of some teenage African American boys in a classroom talking with their teacher about what Obama's win means to them.
It's touching - and it illuminates Michelle's comment `for the first time in my adult life I'm proud...'
It's such a shame this videoclip won't be seen by everyone who took offense - it would give them a new sense that
would take away the sense of insult/putting down America.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25004343/page/2/
It's touching - and it illuminates Michelle's comment `for the first time in my adult life I'm proud...'
It's such a shame this videoclip won't be seen by everyone who took offense - it would give them a new sense that
would take away the sense of insult/putting down America.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25004343/page/2/
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The link you provide is page 2 of a story - the video can be accessed through page 1. Here is the link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25011823#25011823
I so completely agree with you. Instead of ripping apart Michelle for her comment (and Rev Wright, for that matter, for his sermons), people would do better to ask themselves what lies behind the comment. It takes a little imagination for white people to understand what it is like to grow up black in America. When we hear bright, good people like Michelle Obama tell us she has not been proud of this country until now, we would do well to listen closely, and understand that she is making an excellent point.
June 7, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for digging up the link. And I agree, without understanding the context of the African American experience, Michelle's comment is willfully and unfairly misunderstood. Even though it's not the first time I'm proud to be an American, Barack's rise to prominence is a significant occasion that makes me hopeful for America.
Now do your homework.
June 7, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
So going further out on a limb, leszek, I think Rev Wright's statements are also understandable. I don't agree with them, but I understand how many people who have been left behind, forgotten by the "American Dream" are really angry and bitter. I think it's worth looking past their venomous speech, and asking ourselves if there isn't something about the way this country works that is fostering such anger in some of our citizens. Thoughts?
June 7, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Michelle Obama did NOT say she had not been proud of America until now. She said that for the first time in her life she was REALLY proud of America. That's a far different emphasis for an off-hand statement. She meant that for the first time she had a really strong feeling of pride, because she witnessed what democracy could be like. It's bad enough that Republicans distort her words - her supporters should be careful not to do so.
June 7, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. Too many people take her out of context. She REALLY did say that for the first time in her adult life she is REALLY proud.
That word makes a huge difference.
June 7, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
LisB - I used to make that argument, and was writing a post on it one day, because a North Carolina GOP ad was running her statement with the work "really" clearly edited out of it! I was furious. But, since I was going on the attack, I decided to research the topic legitimately.
It turns out she gave two speeches in one day. In the first speech she said "proud". Several hours later, after staff feedback and in a different location - clearly no edit, she said "really proud". It was noted by the press covering her at the time, but it wasn't noted as an offense - rather pointing out that she very deftly and quickly shifted her stump speech for the day away from a comment that might be misconstrued.
Of, course I did not write the blog. But, I couldn't stop laughing and screaming at the GOP idiots who took the second speech where she CLEARLY said "really proud" and edited it down to "proud" when a tape existed of the more controversial speech from the same frackin' day! Both are easy to find on YouTube. It says a lot about the motherhummers who are willing to do this. They didn't even know that the more damaging statement existed. They just edited the one they had to serve their point of view!
Anyway, I thought you would want to know the facts if you ever run into an asshole that makes you feel obliged to defend Michelle. Some of them might have actually seen the first speech, and they might not be lying to you - on the otherhand they might be from North Carolina!
June 8, 2008 5:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the link, well address, I can't get it to link - would someone please tell me how to do that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGjR81pFJI4
June 8, 2008 5:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
never mind.......bitch (me not Michelle).
June 8, 2008 5:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is part of it, a vitally important and breath-taking part --- but there is an even bigger part, equally applicable to all of us.
To be trite, it's "the power of the people" It hasn't been there, as a real force, since the days of Dr. King of Bobby Kennedy. But it's here this year. In fact, neither John McCain nor Barack Obama were *supposed* to be nominees of their parties: they were written off (McCain) or given a pat on the head and told to wait (Obama) by the powers-that-be, those powers that have been controlling things since, roughly, 1968 when it all came crashing down and stole our hearts with it.
It's when the *people* take a role, become an independent voice in what's going to happen that the true, remarkable strength of this country becomes apparent. And the goodness of the country. You can get grass roots support from many, many individuals for something that is positive -- the Revolution itself, abolition, workers' rights, civil rights, the kind of changes that Obama wants to bring. That force, that feeling hasn't been present, hasn't happened since -- well, since Michelle Obama was a very young girl.
June 7, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Power to the People! Right On!
June 7, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
ohh my god... i watched that video and was livid. the young guys said...the previous icons for blacks were basketball players and rap singers...OH MY GOD get these idiots off the screen embarassing the hell out of african americans.
as a black woman for those guys to say that they have never been proud to be an american till now was disgusting. to say that obama makes them feel that they now have opportunity was the most pathethic/weak thing i ever heard. the first thing i thought of was this is this the problem with black men? to honestly feel it took obama's nomnation to have pride in yourself or dignity?
you should have alreeady had pride in yourself. they came off as weak, self proclamed victims and sad. i do NOT need an obama victory as a african amercian to have a high self esteem. i do NOT need OBAMA to feel i have self worth. i have it on my own and no other person needs or can give it to me. i love this country full well knowing all its problems. it is far from perfect but is the best country in the world.
i was so embarrased and ashamed at how weak these black children saw themselves that they needed OBAMA to feel good about themselves. how very sad and how pathethic and what a self inflicted crutch.
June 7, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe they shouldn't feel so dependent on Obama's achievement for their own self esteem, but they evidently do. I share your frustration about this fact, but I'm not angry at the kids for it. IMHO, the root cause gets to the single greatest scandal in this country in the past 50 years: the poor quality of so many public schools in this country, that do so little to build children's self esteem, that do so little to prepare them to make their way in our society.
The public school crisis should be declared a national emergency, and should be tackled accordingly, if we had any moral sense as a country. The fact that the problem is barely talked about at all, and when it is, it's the most superficial sort of discussion about test scores and the like. It is just pathetic.
June 7, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why "disgusting"? I'd say that perhaps it was a sad commentary, but surprised at actual disgust. Are you angry at the young men?
I'm curious - can you name a AA role model who would appeal to that age bracket, and isn't a celebrity?
June 7, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with the other commentators.
As an African American woman myself, and having educated myself about the plight of the "inner city," I get their point. This isn't about "personal" esteem, but a sense that America actually offers them the same opportunities it offers white teenage boys.
And as far as being proud of being an "American?" The last time I was actually "proud," I was in the 3rd grade and thought we were in Kuwait to help the Kuwaitis.
June 7, 2008 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
i do have some anger at the kids because they are being percieved by the world to again represent all blacks and how they feel about obama. i am also upset at them because this is exactly part of the reason we have so many problems pulling ahead. these men are college educated and mooreshouse is a good school. if this is representative of blacks there i am angry because we are our worst enemy.
June 7, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I get the "anger at perception" thing. I remember being mortified when a group of AA students went on a goodwill tour to Japan and misbehaved badly (I'm AA).
But - you have to be fair when assigning these young men the responsibility of constantly living as Ambassadors to the non-AA world. They're still young men, and many of their Caucasian peers are doing beer shots on Spring Break. I was a *good* student, and some of my fondest college memories involved a convertible and a bottle of Brass Monkey.
They're young, and it's how they feel. While you or I might wish they were more circumspect (and I often DO wish it), it doesn't take away from the significance to them, of an Obama nomination.
June 7, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
also in aswer to your post...better scholls are not the only solution. this goes beyond education. this is a group of people willingly hanging on to victimhood. i have traveled to some extremely poor areas in the world and they still have pride and dignity in themselves. they choose to educate themselves as best as possible not wallow in victimhood. yes there are glass celings but there is also much room to be highly successful here in this country. instead of listening to rap all day or playing basketball all day ...pick up a book. life is tough but to give up to self victimhood is pathetic.
June 7, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your big gripe with these young men is that referenced rap? If I were to dismiss the perception of white boys who cite Pink Floyld's "Dark Side of the Moon" or the romanticization of depression and addiction of "The Wall", then I would be willfully ignoring their potential and talent. Many of these white boys proved to be successful. They weren't practicing victimhood, just some poetry and storytelling. And how do you know they aren't picking up a book?
June 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
look when i was a kid i admired MLK and many other blacks.. why do they have to admire a rapper? we have many blacks to admire...there are many successful blacks who are not rappers and athletes. scientists, businessmen and women, artist, writers, poets, doctors, lawyers... get real. again you areinsulting me as an african american by inferring doi i know of any they admire who are not celebrities... we have them all around us to look at and admire. they chose to look to rappers then yes i am agry at them. how pathethic as well as how pathetic their parents didn't give them a better foundation. you change your life not an icon.
June 7, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
MLK was different. His oratory skills and powerful presence made him a celebrity (sound familiar?). he was easy to admire.
Did you admire Andrew Young? Shirley Chisholm? I didn't even know who they were, really.
How many 22 year olds admire scientists?
June 7, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
ok i am really behind so another day in this discussion.
June 7, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's another powerful testimonial, one of several I've heard, by African Americans about the meaning of Barack Obama's ascendency on the national political stage. Especially poignant is the perception that African Americans now feel they can share in the American Dream. As Ezra Klein blogged on the occasion of Obama's nomination victory it's like the New Normal. How long can this high be maintained, I don't know.
I perplexed that someone can feel anger at these men, just as I'm perplexed if someone isn't able to feel the pain of Hillary's loss for many women.
June 7, 2008 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was one of the most beautiful aspects of Hillary's speech - how she told her supporters that her defeat did not represent a setback, they shouldn't feel pain on her account - rather her candidacy means that the next time, it will be UNremarkable when a woman runs for President, UNremarkable when she wins most big primaries, UNremarkable when she comes so close to the prize, win or lose, and all of that is REMARKABLE. This was a great speech. It will be quoted for decades.
June 7, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
another strong reason why these kids do not speak for my and my experience. i have shared and enjoyed the american dream all my life. these kids are at moorsehouse and expensive university. appears to me they have shared in the american dream as well.
June 7, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
michelle -- It may be that it's a bit harder for African-American MEN to feel that they have shared and enjoyed the American dream all their lives. I've often observed that, in some ways, the 'gender disparity/discrimination' is almost the reverse between the two races. Perhaps its as simple as a black woman being seen as less "frightening" or "threatening" to the majority of whites.
June 7, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is possibly the most warped thinking I've come across in a while! Congratulations.
June 7, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is completely irrelevant what she meant....Really ....she's not a regular person...she hasn't been since he became a candidate for president.
She is his wife and when she made stupid statements that can be blasted all over TV and the internet as unpatriotic or ashamed of her country...it matters
It may still come back to hurt him in the election....you shouldn't fogive her because it's letting her think she doesn't have to be careful...she does.
That's just what you have to do ....
June 7, 2008 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
She has to be careful. No one is arguing against that.
But, the notion that it's "wrong" for her not to always be "proud" of her country is crap. You gotta ask yourself, why do Americans regard loving our country as though it's an issue of morality? No other country does that.
You're right, the electorate doesn't see it that way. And maybe you don't either. But, my point is, yes, she has to be careful. That doesn't mean those of us who know better can't educate others.
June 7, 2008 8:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Minor Correction - these aren't HS boys but college students at Morehouse in Atlanta (where MLK went to undergrad) - being interviewed by an NBC Nightly News correspondent (Ron Mott?).
I also appreciated seeing when originally aired on NBCNN w/ B. Williams.
Thanks for link.
June 7, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did you hear they young man say that 'THE PERSUIT' of the dream he now feels he owns? It takes different triggers for folks to be galvanized into transformative action. Obama's clinching of the nomination was theirs.
June 8, 2008 12:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
People who do not understand history will never understand Mrs. Obama's words. It's a problem. Explaining the history only keeps the stories in the news. Not sure what works best here for the Obama cause. He should not continually be backed into a corner explaining race. That is clearly the tactic of his opponents. Put white surrogates forward to say it is a false and devise issue in an important campaign. Don't dig the hole deeper. Protest wildly against CNN and MSNBC when they run this instead of important issues like Pakistan. Let Fox do ist thing. It's important to punish any central or left-leaning news outlet that continues to run these stories. Shame on them for doing so and more shame on us if we reward them by watching.
June 8, 2008 9:18 AM | Reply | Permalink