Michelle Obama: "If I'm not black enough, and Barack's not black enough..."

[DeepModem Mom]

Chicago Sun-Times: 'A girl from the South Side' talks to Mary Mitchell
Are they black enough? Michelle Obama says that's an issue for society, not just a problem for her husband
August 5, 2007
MARY MITCHELL

Michelle Obama grew up in a working-class family on the South Side, attended Chicago Public Schools, went on to Princeton and Harvard Law School, became a lawyer and married Barack Obama before giving birth to the couple's two daughters, Malia, 9 and Sasha, 6. Even with that range, the question of whether she and her husband are "black enough" to win over lower-income black voters keeps popping up. This week, journalists will debate this issue at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Las Vegas....

The Obamas are faced with an unparalleled dilemma:

How do they convince white voters that a black man can represent all Americans while assuring black voters that they haven't forgotten where they came from?

The persistent debate reflects the black community's long battle with internal class division. It also reflects the criticism often expressed by low-income and working-class blacks that once a black person has reached a certain economic status, they are too quick to deny that racism still exists in America.

Michelle didn't hesitate when I asked her if we are making too much of race in her husband's campaign. "I think race is a reality of our society," she said. "We've made great strides, but we know we've got a lot of work to do. You know I can go to my neighborhood and see race played out. It still exists. It wouldn't be fair to say that people are making too much of it because it is still a factor."

At the same time, she points out that "assessing Barack's blackness" isn't a "Barack issue." "The truth of the matter is that as I was growing up, talking too proper, going to certain schools, people told me that. We are still struggling as a people with what is black," she said. "The thing that I worry most about . . . is not what it says about me and Barack. What does it say to our children? hat somehow Michelle Obama is not black enough? Well, shoot, if I'm not black enough and Barack's not black enough, well who are they supposed to be in this world?...

http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/497478,CST-NWS-mitch05x.article

[Clintonista2]

1. Why is Michelle campaigning for Obama?

I thought Obama supporters were dead set against spouses speaking out during the campaign. Otherwise, why would they attack Bill but not Michelle?

[bigdarryl]

3. Why the fuck is Bill Clinton speaking out on Hillary's behalf ? JESUS!!!

[Connie_Corleone]

7. What the hell is your problem?

I DON'T GIVE A FLYING MONKEY'S ASS WHAT BILL DOES FOR HILLARY! Does that answer your question?????????

Just because you have a problem with some Obama supporters here, don't take it out on the rest of us who don't give a damn.

Goodness sakes.
:eyes:

[Clintonista2]

11. Because every time Bill and Hillary are mentioned in the same sentence on DU

It's an Obama zombie ranting about how Bill shouldn't be "campaigning for Hillary." Why can Michelle campaign on behalf of Obama, and Elizabeth campaign on behalf of Edwards, but Bill can't campaign on behalf of Hillary? The Obama campaign is based on double standards.

[Major Hogwash]

2. Schweet! You go girl.

Man, oh man, if Michelle cuts loose, somebody's ass is gonna be in her handbag by the end of the day.

You go.
You go.
You go.
You go girl!

[DeepModem Mom]

5. LOL!

[flpoljunkie]

12. Awesome, Major Hogwash!

[AtomicKitten]

4. They just need to be themselves

and let those inclined kvetch over such superficialities.

[Meldread]

6. This is so retarded.

Obama has spoken out against racism. He's done it more than any other candidate. It completely boggles my mind how any black person would think of stabbing Obama in the back by voting against him. What? You think a heterosexual white woman is going to stick by your side even better? What? You think Bill Clinton is more black than Obama? Geeze! Idiots!

This is what I hate most about being a minority because this happens in the LGBT community as well. There is a tendency to stab your own people in the back. If you can't rely on your own people who the hell CAN you rely on? Don't people realize that when we alienate our own from us that it only screws us over in the end?

Yeah go ahead and support the heterosexual white woman, she KNOWS what it is like to be black because, you know, she has abandoned her white privilege. (And this goes for all other candidates not just Hillary with maybe the exception of John Edwards who is making class the central theme of his campaign.)

I'm probably in the minority (go figure - I'm used to it) and will be flamed to hell, but when it comes to your own people they should always get preferential treatment. God knows heterosexual white men have done the same for the past 200 years.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. Thank you for an interesting and thought-provoking post. nt

[flpoljunkie]

13. Thanks for an honest, impassioned and thoughtful post, Meldread.

[jmp]

15. "You think Bill Clinton is more black than Obama?"

Why does that matter? If a Dem candidate was talking about how white he/she is, this place would be preparing a tar and feather party. He/she would be branded a racist.

[Meldread]

16. Because heterosexual white men currently run this country.

Because there is still racism in this country. Apparently even black-on-black racism. ("You're not black enough for me!" I mean, really it's ridiculous. It reminds me of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, except of course, they never discover one that is "just right".)

Besides, this isn't white people who are saying Obama isn't black enough, which yes incase you didn't know, would be racist. It is black people saying he isn't black enough, which is also racist. Of course, on their part, it is not only racist but stupid.

As a LGBT person I would love nothing more than for a viable LGBT candidate to step forward in the Democratic Primary. Someone who spoke passionately about my issues, as Obama does about racism, and someone who understands the difficulties I face in my daily life. I would love nothing more than to see such a person elected to the highest office in the land. The last thing on my mind would be that he didn't act gay enough.

Really, I am not so much angry as ashamed and disappointed. Black people finally have the chance to shatter the glass ceiling and they are bitching over degrees of metaphorical skin pigmentation? Get over it! I would KILL to be in your position.

[jmp]

18. Should white voters ...

Be discussing whether or not candidates are appropriately white?

[ecstatic]

8. Black voters wonder if a Black man can win, and if it's even worth it

Many are doubtful. I mean, racism is still very much alive and well. Not only that, but if Obama wins, then he will be crucified by the media and hate groups on a daily basis. Obama, if elected, would not receive the same passes that Bush received. So is it even worth it? The media has it wrong. Again.

[Meldread]

10. Absolutely it is worth it.

That's like saying MLK shouldn't have involved himself in the civil rights movement. After all he could have just stayed at his little church, and not taken any risks.

It's about shattering glass ceilings. It's about pushing ahead. It's about sending a message back to black communities across the country.

Obama should run, and win, precisely because of the bigots just to prove that a black man CAN do it. To be a role model.

After all, if MLK was worried about being crucified by the media and hate groups he would have never drew a line in the sand. His legacy would have never existed. He might have lived to be an old man, but I don't doubt for a moment that the sacrifices he made - the ultimate sacrifice of his life - was worth it for ALL Americans everywhere.

[flpoljunkie]

14. Of course, it's worth it. No president should receive a pass from the media, including Obama.

[illinoisprogressive]

17. I really like Michelle. She is such a role model.