I'm Calling It. Meet Your New First Lady, Michelle Obama She Survived the Smears

Meet your new First Lady. She's ready!

Here is a portion of something I wrote back in August for The Guardian:

Michelle Obama has been slandered by false rumours of videotaped rants showing her screaming "whitey" from the pulpit of a church. She's been tarred as unpatriotic for saying she was proud of her country. She's endured article after article and poll after poll whose main premise appears to be that Michelle Obama might cost her husband the White House for being who she is.

There was something different about the night. When Michelle Obama expressly said that she loved her country, her words carried heavier meaning that the typical prattle frequently uttered from the podiums of political conventions. Behind those words about her love and pride in America was the knowledge by everyone in the convention hall that her love for America had been questioned repeatedly by her husband's opponents. What made Michelle Obama's speech on the opening night of the Democratic national convention different is also what makes Michelle Obama ready to be first lady of the United States.
The woman the Democrats saw on the opening night of their convention is ready to stand in the receiving lines and greet guests at formal state dinners. She's ready to descend the steps of Air Force One and stand shoulder pad to shoulder pad with Carla Bruni, the first lady of France. She's ready to light the national Christmas tree and take the media on their annual on a tour of the White House Christmas decorations. She's ready to oversee the annual White House Easter Egg roll.

She is also ready to put on a black dress and sit solemnly beside her husband as the nation grieves. Like Nancy Reagan during the Challenger disaster, Hillary Clinton during Oklahoma City bombing and Laura Bush following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Michelle Obama is ready to act as a silent, calming reminder during our national grief that our nation continues to be what is has always been. Even in our greatest moments of national grief, we're still here. We're still America. Our nation and its traditions endure.

While presidents dabble in policy, politics and partisanship, first ladies have overseen the pageantry of the American presidency. Those national traditions which help to maintain what Barbara Jordan called the "national community" - traditions that remain irrespective of which political party occupies the White House.

Comments

[Matthew Milam]

Sandra Rose better get that tissue. Her boyfriend lost!

[Zabeth]

Though Obama was not my choice, I think it's very cool that he's our new prez!

[RCA]

You called it right.

[Nehesi]

One of my wife's good friends said it best "Tomorrow is annual Kiss A White Person Day!"

More seriously, my dad just said "I've been colored, Black, African-American. . . I've sat at the back of the bus and now we have a Black President." I'm so glad he and my mom and my wife (who remembers segregated schools) have been able to see this. I'm so proud of my country right now.

Now that he's been given a clear mandate(no hanging chads!), I can't wait for him to get to work

Now if only we can get Hughley off the air. . .

[La Belle Femme]

Michelle is OUR NEW FIRST LADY!!!!!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!

[focusedpurpose]

there will be a black woman and two little black girls in the white house!!!

i am elated as a result of this fact alone right now. presently allowing myself a moment of celebration. hey, there is plenty of time to get serious and issue focused, right?

i, too, am thrilled to see that Michelle has been able to withstand the mainstream political attacks as well as the "comedic" ones.

blessings all,
focusedpurpose

[Wonderful day!]

I am so glad I got to see this in my time. Here's to our new President and First Lady!