I just listened to Michelle Obama's speech, and was floored. (regular, racism)

[Vector1]

For those of you who have heard it, I would assume most would feel the way I do. That being that not only was it beneath the First Lady of the United States to make such a divisive speech, but that she herself seems to be full of resentment (maybe even hatred). That in and of itself is a worthy topic for discussion.
However, while not discouraging such a discussion in this thread, I want to also focus on something else that is troubling in this country. Let me explain.

I consider myself a fair minded person who is willing to listen to the other side of an issue provided it is based on fact rather than emotion. By and large I need to know that emotion is not a deciding factor that cause fact and pragmatic action to be subverted.
When I hear a speech by the First Lady and it strikes me in the manner it did, I assume most other reasoned people would feel similarly. So it surprised me to be watching a report on the show "Today" where a black female reporter characterized the speech in a completely different way, almost praising it.
Granted being a white man I do not know what it is like to be a black woman, but how could we have heard that speech so differently

This was the First Lady, yet she sounded almost like a female version of the race merchant Al Sharpton(though not as bombastic). She made it seem as if she has held grievances (real and perceived) and that she has a massive chip on her shoulder.
Sure she has made some similar comments along the way, but I have tried to give her the benefit of the doubt. Now I am not so sure.
For example feeling it was a slight or racially motived when a fellow shopper asked her to reach up and get something off a store shelf that was high. Michelle Obama is after all a tall woman, so it would seem perfectly natural for a shorter person to ask a taller person for assistance. With me being 6'7", I am regularly asked for such favors/help, and I don't think anything of it. I guess if I were to think about it, my assumption is that being tall is the reason. She instead apparently defaults to race as the reason.

The point of discussion I am getting at is that aside from the partisan koolaid drinking supporters of the Obama's, how can people see that speech in any type of a positive light?
Are we so polarized as a nation now that what I perceive to be a poor example of our countries First Lady's speech, can be seen by others as something positive?
Is it related to race, in that 6+ years of racial animus stirred up by Barak/Holder/Sharpton has caused black people to see things strictly through a lens of grievance?

I have not had the chance to discuss this with my black or liberal friends yet, so I wanted see what my fellow CD posters think of the this.

[YT]8NwrFDDQ12I[/YT]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NwrFDDQ12I

PS - It would be interesting to know the race/gender of the posters if you so choose.

TIA

`

[reneeh63]

Why should the First Lady paint a rosy picture when that has not been her experience? She is in a great position to "tell it like it is". From what I could tell she acknowledged all she has been able to achieve but also what she has seen along the way. We need some candor rather than sugar-coating...people of color have experienced this and this helps validate that - it also shows just how widespread discriminatory behaviors are. I would expect no less from a First Lady than to educate others!

[shadowne]

OP, can you please link the speech you are referring to? You will likely get a more complete and honest dialogue going.

[Vector1]

Originally Posted by reneeh63

Why should the First Lady paint a rosy picture when that has not been her experience? She is in a great position to "tell it like it is". From what I could tell she acknowledged all she has been able to achieve but also what she has seen along the way. We need some candor rather than sugar-coating...people of color have experienced this and this helps validate that - it also shows just how widespread discriminatory behaviors are. I would expect no less from a First Lady than to educate others!

I see you are from IL but have no clue about you. It is strictly up to you, but do you mind mentioning your gender & race to help out with the discussion
I ask not because it would be the sole reason, but I think this may be a factor in why we see things so differently.

[lvoc]

It is amazing how that built in bias can warp one's view of a perfectly reasonable speech. She is speaking to Tuskegee not Harvard and her speech would appear appropriate.

Where on earth did you get this view on reaching up on a shelf? Cite the passage please.

[Vector1]

Originally Posted by shadowne

OP, can you please link the speech you are referring to? You will likely get a more complete and honest dialogue going.

I will try, but was just going off of two news reports I watched. If someone else beats me too it, I will post the link in my OP.

[lvoc]

Originally Posted by Vector1

I will try, but was just going off of two news reports I watched. If someone else beats me too it, I will post the link in my OP.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press...cement-address

[shadowne]

Originally Posted by lvoc

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press...cement-address

Thanks Ivoc.

[Vector1]

Originally Posted by lvoc

It is amazing how that built in bias can warp one's view of a perfectly reasonable speech. She is speaking to Tuskegee not Harvard and her speech would appear appropriate.

Where on earth did you get this view on reaching up on a shelf? Cite the passage please.

Wow, so aside from the discussion I want to have, you think that the schools audience should factor in to a commencement speech. Most commencement speeches are suppose to be uplifting and send positive messages to the graduates of all the great possibilities this country has to offer, and to make the most of the education the graduates have earned. I'd think the same speech could be given to Community College grads as to Harvard grads.

As to the shelf comment, I thought everyone had heard about it. I guess only certain news stations like FOX report anything that might show the (D's) in a negative light.

She wanted to go shopping at Target as the First Lady, but didn't want all the attention (understandable). So she dressed in disguise and according to her encountered someone who requested help to get something off a shelf.

Here is but one link of many on the web about it;

Michelle Obama Cries "RACISM" After THIS Happened at a Target (MUST READ) - The Political Insider

`

[Cali Doll]

Originally Posted by Vector1

Wow, so aside from the discussion I want to have, you think that the schools audience should factor in to a commencement speech. Most commencement speeches are suppose to be uplifting and send positive messages to the graduates of all the great possibilities this country has to offer, and to make the most of the education the graduates have earned. I'd think the same speech could be given to Community College grads as to Harvard grads.

As to the shelf comment, I thought everyone had heard about it. I guess only certain news stations like FOX report anything that might show the (D's) in a negative light.

She wanted to go shopping at Target as the First Lady, but didn't want all the attention (understandable). So she dressed in disguise and according to her encountered someone who requested help to get something off a shelf.

Here is but one link of many on the web about it;

Michelle Obama Cries "RACISM" After THIS Happened at a Target (MUST READ) - The Political Insider

`

Absolutely! People have different experiences and different struggles. She's speaking to an audience that may have the same struggles she did. I loved her speech and I can relate to it. To be honest, I'm really surprised you have a problem with it.