“There Are Still People Who Won’t See Me for What I Am Because of My Skin Colour” Michelle Obama on Racism in Her Life
One would imagine a life with zero worries for someone who was the First Lady of The United States of America (FLOTUS). But pretty mother of 2 lovely ladies, Michelle Obama still has challenges even after being FLOTUS from 2009 to 2017.
Married to former President Barrack Obama, they were the first African-Americans to rule the country. Despite their hard work and contribution during their tenure, Michelle says she faced racism back then and is still experiencing it.
In an interview with the President and CEO Women Foundation of Colorado Lauren Casteel, Michelle Obama cited racists attacks she endured while in office, alluding to being called “an ape in heels” by a former West Virginia Official last November.
She recalled that people did not acknowledge her achievements because of her color as they referred to her as the falling glass shards. She revealed that the words cut her the deepest. In front of the 8500 strong crowd, she told Casteel:
“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut. Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin colour.”
Michelle Obama went on to acknowledge that the backlash she faced did get to her. She extended the metaphor to women in general, adding that no-one should brush off racism and sexism. She said:
“Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we don’t even notice we’re cut. We are living with small tiny cuts, and we are bleeding every single day. And we’re still getting up.”
Although her approach has been ‘when they go low, I go high’, she insisted it’s important to remain vocal to ensure perpetrators aren’t let off the hook. But she warned against the belief that America was being torn apart.
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Much to the dismay of many attendees, the stunning mom also reiterated that she would not be seeking to run for public office, and rather, would continue to work with women and communities through various initiatives.
“Public service and engagement will be a part of my life and my husband’s life forever. The people in this country are universally good and kind and honest and decent. Don’t be afraid of the country you live in. The folks here are good.”
This isn’t the first time Obama has opened up about the challenges of being the first woman of colour in her position. She has spoke about experiencing racism during her political career at her Tuskegee University address in 2015, describing a magazine cover that depicted her with an Afro and gun.
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As at that time she wondered why such will be done of her. The question of if she was too soft, too much of a mum and not enough of a career woman to experience such a thing beat her imagination.
“Was I too loud, or too angry, or too emasculating? Or was I too soft, too much of a mum, not enough of a career woman.”
She concluded by saying that At the end of the day, by staying true to the herself, she has always known what she’s worth it. Michelle said she has found her journey incredibly freeing and no one could see past her skin.
Photo credit: Instagram
Racism is a very big issue in America, no matter the position you have attained, it doesn’t change anything.
It’s sad that people don’t see other people like them as humans but see the color of their skin instead.
True talk, when we all this racism stop