The story of her family making ends meet, surviving the pitfalls and challenges of life on the southside of Chicago is a narrative all Americans can identify with. A narrative that lately has not been cast in Blackface. The victim narrative is what would be typical here, however the current victimization diatribe was not even touched upon. The narrative that casts Black life as defeated which has been trumpeted by many pales in comparison to the reality that daily Black families across this nation find a way to succeed against the odds, seek no handouts and take no quarter. James Brown said it best..."I don't want nobody to give me nothing...open up the door, I'll get it myself".
The universal theme of a father continuing to perform in his role of provider and leader, despite the onset of illness (in this case Multiple Sclerosis) touched all hearts. This speech, this approach is not what the pundits expected. This was not elitist talk about education and law school and higher purpose, this was a down to earth, grass roots narrative about the GOD given human spirit that continually rises.
Entering the convention hall - introduced by her big brother to the sound of Stevie Wonder's - "I Was Made To Love Her" was a nice touch, warm and authentic and again fully American. Michelle Obama cast her "First Lady" stance squarely in "family values" as a wife and mother, not as the VP by default (this should go a long way to quell paranoid fears of a black Militancy occupying the Oval Office - ie The infamous New Yorker magazine cover art). This was Michelle the beautiful, the wife, the executive, the mother, the new definition of women's right that says I can be all three and not diminish or substitute. This was Michelle the peacemaker, extending an olive branch the "Clintonites" who for the past month have worn their anger and disappointment on their sleeve. This was Michelle the civil servant who embodied the spirit of the Women's Right and Civil Rights movements as one.
If I were to grade her speech I would give it an "A". She was poised, confident and warm. She did struggle with the teleprompter at times but this only added to the conversational nature of her delivery. In just over 20 minutes Michelle Obama affirmed her role as The First Lady and her patriotism when she said.. "All of us driven by the simple belief that the world as it is just won't do, that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be and that is the thread that connects our hearts....that is why I love this country". Michelle, Barack and all of us are America, the beautiful.