Michelle reveals pain of racist attacks on her family
Michelle: Our barrier-breaking feat brought hate home to First Family
FORMER First Lady Michelle Obama says racist attacks against her and her family cut her deeply.
Speaking to the Women’s Foundation of Colorado on Tuesday night, Obama discussed how the “shards” that came from breaking the glass ceiling and becoming the first black First Lady have left her with scars.
“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut. I felt how they intended,” she said, referring to the insults and bigotry she suffered during the two terms of Barack Obama’s presidency.
Several people made national news for insulting her, with an Arkansas teacher, Colorado doctor and West Virginia officials all coming under fire for referring to her as an ape.
After explosions of internet outrage, all of those people were either fired or resigned from their jobs.
“For underrepresented people to pretend like it doesn’t hurt, it lets those who hurt us off the hook,” the 53-year-old Michelle Obama said.
The Harvard Law School graduate and former hospital vice president did not delve into politics during her discussion, but she did say she would not run for office as her husband did.
Those attending the event and the Women’s Foundation praised Obama for her “moving perspective” in addressing her own life and other issues, including stren gthening opportunities for women. The mother of two daughters urged support for young women especially and said, “I am a strong woman because of other strong women.” Obama’s life has been relatively quiet since her husband departed the White House in January. But she did make a surprise visit with Special Olympics athletes at the ESPYs award ceremony earlier this month to honor the late Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Obama also appeared at last month’s BET awards via video, giving a philanthropic award to fellow Chicagoan Chance the Rapper. Both Barack and Michelle Obama are writing memoirs that are set to be released next year.
The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut. MICHELLE OBAMA