Michelle Monday

The democratic convention opens today and I am weeping because I don't have cable to watch every bit of the prime time rallies. Tonight features Michelle Obama and possibly Ted Kennedy. It is a great prospect to have him speaking tonight and hopefully the public display of encouragement he is sure to receive will do his health well.

I have heard some critique the choice of Ms. Obama speaking tonight. However, it is only appropriate for her to get a share of the spotlight. She is a hard working woman that doesn't get any breaks in the media and isn't understood by most Americans. She has to deal with both racism AND sexism! One example is the New Yorker cover that missed the satire mark by about a mile. Another issues is the idea of the "Angry Black Woman." This is two fold because African Americans are often painted as disgruntled and so are feminists. So if you are a strong black female then you must be unruly, right? People have a right and even a responsibility to be angry about injustice.

Each time I had the opportunity to meet her she was always friendly and genuine. I suggest getting to know Michelle Obama for who she actually is as opposed to her portrayal on the media. Some highlights include growing up in the southside of Chicago to Harvard Law School. Then back to Chicago where she practiced corporate law until she left to give back to her community. This included working for Public Allies, an Americorp program helping promote community leadership.

Now she is supporting her husband in an intense election. She will face pundit smears and I'm confident her and her husband will both make it through just fine.