by Mark Silva
First Lady Michelle Obama played host this morning to other "women of excellence'' at the White House, part of her celebration of National Women's History Month.
"This was one of my dreams, let me just tell you,'' the first lady told her guests in the Diplomatic Reception Room.
"I couldn't have imagined this a year ago, but as we started moving towards this trajectory, that it became increasingly clear that Barack Obama might be the next president of the United States, and as I started thinking about the kinds of things that I wanted to see happen,'' she said. "This day was one of those things -- gathering an amazing group of women together, and going out, and talking to young girls around this country....
"Our task is really simple, you know -- just to share our stories with them,'' Michelle Obama said. "Our job is really to just share our stories, to make these kids understand that where we stand today is not an impossibility by any stretch of the imagination....
"Many young people will have never set foot in this place, never could have imagined that they'd be dining in the East Room with so many great people who will be joined by even more women,'' she said. "But just imagine what they're going to feel like at the end of this day. And then we can do this again and again and again.
"Our job is simple: Just be open, be honest, be real, be clear, and have fun,'' she said. "Well, you know, we have got a president here. So many of you have helped us come to this place. And our job now is to give back and to keep giving back.''
Comments
When do we get to have a National Men's History Month? Or maybe a White History Month?
Oh wait, that would be sexist and racist. Go figure.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspirator | March 19, 2009 1:50 PM
So does this mean she's changed her attitude towards the USA? Is she not so angry and disappointed now? Can she tell the truth to these girls about her distaste and lack of pride in America?
Maybe she can share her views on racial attitudes by providing copies of her thesis to these girls. That should wake then up and instil a great deal of pride in them.
Posted by: springfield | March 19, 2009 2:40 PM
Springfield:
Interesting. How would you feel if you were the first black and most of the white people treated you like dirt, spat on you while you were focused your education. Or for that matter lynched one of your grandparents just for the color of your skin. Believe me it takes awhile to have that pride. Or even NOW, after 20 years of working and an Ivy League education, I am still facing predujice in the work place - unbelievable. I love this country too but when I have to go home to my family and explain that even with an Ivy League education of supporting my country in every way (paying taxes on time volunteering, even supporting my white secretary for a full college education) the senior leaders of my organization still show significant predjudice.
Yes I am I have Michelle's back because in many respects we are all here who have experienced some of what she has gone through and yes after all that we can say that we are finally able to say we are proud. With our grandfathers fighting in wars during world war II and coming back to this country and not able to find work because of their color, yes we are finally proud, with banks not able to give us loans in the 50s so we paid cash for our houses and cars (I do that now) yes we can finally say we are proud.
Unless you have walked in the shoes....
Posted by: Lynne S | March 19, 2009 4:31 PM
Have you seen anything as pathetic as these first 2 posts.
Posted by: bill r. | March 19, 2009 4:48 PM
@Springfield-Regardless of how one lives their lives and possibly becomes successful as Mrs. Obama and other prominent so called minorities have. Until you have lived and walked in our shoes, you are only speculating. Therefore you and those who think like you are only on the outside looking in. Some folks refuse to acknowledge the truth and we can start first by rewriting the American History books and tell the children what really happened and why. When they realize that they are just as good, if not better, then they can have a better quality of life. When these young girls realize that they don't have to live the hand that they may think is dealt to them, they too can make the choice of living a better quality of life just as I, other’s and Mrs. Obama have.
Posted by: Yvonn C. | March 19, 2009 5:23 PM
No, Bill R. Pretty lame and pathetic, aren't they?
Posted by: Flo | March 19, 2009 10:35 PM
That's heavy, Flo.
Posted by: UnfrozenCavegirlBlogger | March 20, 2009 2:31 AM
I think now that we are getting prolonged exposure to the real Michelle Obama, those silly trumped-up "unpatriotic" labes are exposed as political hackery. The only mistake she made was being honest that she got angry and frustrated about unfairness and injustice in her country. That is not unpatriotic; that is the definition of patriotism. Just because you admit your country is not yet perfect does not mean you love it less. God bless the first lady!
Posted by: Ben | March 20, 2009 11:13 AM
? - how can I get a list of who the 100 women are/were?
Posted by: Pat | March 20, 2009 5:59 PM