Michelle Obama Bends Over Backwards

Lately there has been a lot of talk about the need for Barack and Michelle Obama to properly introduce themselves to the wide swath of America that doesn't yet feel that it knows who they are. There has been much talk about the need for the Obamas to present themselves in a way that America's many undecided voters can relate to.

And let's be honest: There has been plenty of discussion---much of it private---about the Obamas' (desperate?) need to connect on a visceral, human level with America's (white) older voters and (white) working class voters who still feel a bit leery about casting their vote for an African-American man in November. This is the subtext. This is the plain truth.

I'm sitting here in the Pepsi Center just moments after the evening's closing benediction, and I can't help but wonder whether tonight's marquee sequence was successful. Did Michelle Obama's speech help or hinder the cause? Did it alleviate or exacerbate the concerns of working class white Democrats in, say, Pennsylvania steel country? Or in the wilds of northern Georgia?

The speech was utterly inoffensive, of course. Autobiographical. Absent of all hot-button issues. And stuffed to the hilt with applause lines and gracious dispersals of unity-building praise. Aside from that, it was generally well-delivered. I can't imagine that it would have a negative impact.

But I suppose time will tell.

One thing is for sure: The emphasis in the rhetoric was overt to the extreme.

The flashing neon subtext of Michelle's entire roll-out could easily be delivered in language that a fourth-grader could understand:

Michelle Obama is a daughter.

She had a daddy.

Then her daddy got sick and died.

She has a mommy, too---and her mommy is still alive!

Michelle's mommy loves her.

Michelle's was raised in a regular American neighborhood.

She worked hard in school and won a scholarship to college.

She is the American Dream, and she really, really, really loves America...

 

Et cetera.

 

For the more cynical observers among us---and please count me among them---it was a bit much.

Politically, I understood it. But personally, I found myself feeling more than a little bit jaded.

I wasn't upset about the Obama camp's decision to make this play; it's what they need to do to help their cause in the election. They need to present themselves as what they essentially are: ordinary, hardworking people who love their country and their family, and who worked hard to get to this moment.

They need to connect.

Beyond that, they need to reassure the more Cro-magnon elements of the American electorate that Michelle is, in fact, quite proud of her country.

I like to think I have a decent grip on the situation.

It's a matter of political pragmatism. It's how the game is played.

 

What bothers me a bit is the simple realization that so many Americans actually need this sort of thing. It's depressing to think that so many American adults need to be spoon-fed like this in order to feel comfortable with a brown family in the White House.

For as far we've come over the past forty years, the message tonight was underscored with the heavy realization that there is still a long way to go. And this, for me, is wearying.

But this, of course, is where we currently are.

And surely we've been in worse places.

 

The arc of history is long, but it bends towards freedom.

The arc of history is long, but it bends towards justice.

We're bending, I suppose.

 

The Obamas would appear to be bending over backwards.

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Comments

[aaawyeah]

aaaaaaaaawyeah, listi! didn't know you were writing for the HuffPo. glad to see you here.

cheers!
=ck

[jemiltd]

Finally someone addressed the "elephant" in the room. I am glad it was someone (Anglo/white) who is saying it. Media has set in motion the notion that people don't "know" Barack Obama, when in reality people just do not want to "know" anyone who is going to change their stereotypical point of view (prejudice). And how well does anyone know McCain, really. Truth is, Blacks bend over backwards on a daily basis, to gain acceptance, access, sometimes in order to just survive in a hostile educational or work environment. I have often said that if Michelle and Barack were lacking in melanin, we wouldn't be having these conversations. BTW, does anyone know who is in charge of creating the political ads for Obama?

[robXdion]

Welcome to the situations blacks must face DAILY in this "America".

[XME]

It certainly is sad. They may as well had Michelle stand on stage holding a sign that read:

Yes, we're black, but I swear we aren't scary, angry, or intent upon taking over the country and enslaving white people as revenge for the way blacks have historically been treated in America. We are NORMAL human beings, just like you...really.

I realize, like you, that this is what they had to do, but it truly is sad at how xenophobic so many Americans still are. I'm truly embarrassed for our country...and no, that doesn't mean I hate American...and no, I'm not an angry black person, just a very embarrassed white American at how e behave and treat OUR OWN PEOPLE if we think they are "different", let alone the rest ot the world.

[uheardme]

"There has been plenty of discussion---much of it private---about the Obamas' (desperate?) need to connect on a visceral, human level with America's (white) older voters and (white) working class voters who still feel a bit leery about casting their vote for an African-American man in November.

Let me fix this. The sentence above SHOULD READ

There has been plenty of discussion---much of it private---about the Obamas' (desperate?) need to connect on a visceral, human level with THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S WHITE older voters and WHITE working class SO-CALLED PROGRESSIVES who still feel a bit leery about casting their vote for an African-American man in November.

[peggylisti]

The speech was what I expected and more. She did a very good job. If they wanted their family to shine they succeeded.

[scg1]

I agree that most of what they say is so well scripted, for applause! Most of it is predictable and for show. Get down to the facts.

[JennyJay]

Are you freakin kidin me??? You are surprised that Americans need this sort of enlightenment?
America is the country that voted for Bush/Cheney - dumbest president, most evil vice-president
that ever lived. And polls showing an EVEN WORSE Republican candidate matching Obama.
In America, we are a backward, dumb bunch of people, and deserve whatever we get. Our voting record proves it.
McCain's chief economic guy caused the housing mess and the gas mess, and now America is
seriously considering electing McCain - to damage our lives even further, so those millionaires can
become billionaires.
America - the land of the dumbest people on earth.

[kcherche]

Michelle looked amazing and their girls really closed the deal. The crowd was mostly wearing wacky hats and capes. She had to keep it simple. :)

[Brad Listi - Huffpost Blogger]

The girls were script-perfect. It was like something out of a Disney movie. Darling kids.