1. John wrote:

this construction was always the result of white supremacist patriarchy rather than anything that Michelle has said or done.

Marc, you lose all credibility when you fall back on this tired racist rhetoric. Michelle Obama has opened herself up to criticism just like anyone else who actively campaigns … some of it justified, some not.

Her comments on the campaign trail and her web of past connections legitimately call into question her belief system. She is free to defend herself or to ignore the concerns, but it is flat-out wrong to suggest that any criticism of her is racist.

You seem to forget that people from the “other side” will always find some reason to criticize the opposition. The narrative against Michelle O may be different than the one against Cindy McCain, but the reality is they both have received plenty of negative attention and will continue to do so.

The other side of the coin is that Michelle Obama has been put on a pedestal in a way no potential first lady has ever been. How many magazine covers and television shows has she appeared on, even before her husband wins the nomination?

Why hasn’t the all-powerful white supremacist patriarchy stopped that?

2. gigi wrote:

Nancy P. was dry, Ted made me cry, and Michelle gave a great required performance. However, the fact that Michelle even had to give that performance points out the double standards that exist in American society. White America wanted her to appease them; make them feeel better.I can’t imagine Cindy doing the same (in reverse) . . . as if she would even be required too.

3. Clifton Harrison wrote:

“but it is flat-out wrong to suggest that any criticism of her is racist.”

Why? you think that 100% of the criticism that either of the Obama’s have received has not had anything to do with prejudice (or in same cases, racist beliefs)?

Great Speech….man it’s gonna be a great day on 11/4/08!!

4. gigi wrote:

Michelle did put her foot in her mouth with the first time I’m proud comment. But how about this . . . that could be the painful truth about her experience as an African-American in this country. A truth that this country doesn’t want to accept! African-Americans can be applauded for their many contributions or success in America just as long as they don’t concentrate on how current-day racism and white supremacy has impacted their lives. Regarding Michelle being put up on a pedestal by the media I guess it’s a matter of perspective:

1st- This is a historical event (possible first African-American first lady).
2nd- You better believe all of this coverage isn’t spawned by the we-love-the-media- darling-Michelle fan club . . . everything she is and does is being examined.
3rd- The powerful white-supremacist mentality hasn’t stopped the coverage because like Kanye said, “The white man gets paid off of all of that.” Capitalism has no moral base or specific position except getting paid.

5. carisma wrote:

Ted Kennedy gave a great speech. He is so adorable. Michelle Obama made me cry when she brought out her daughters and they starting waving and blowing kisses at Barack from the tv screen. That to me showed that they are genuine people and not like John and Cindy McCain. The McCains are so fake and are only married for status reasons.

6. Marc Lamont Hill wrote:

“but it is flat-out wrong to suggest that any criticism of her is racist.”

John,

How would you classify Bill O’Reilly’s lynching comment?

Or the fact that she’s been referred to as Barack’s “baby momma”?

Do you really think that’s it’s flat out wrong to bring race into these moments? Honestly?

7. John wrote:

Marc:

Before her hsuband’s handlers reined her in, Michelle made a number of disparaging comments about life in America that — regardless of whether she believes them or not — make people question her background and belief system.

Her campaign speech — that she reportedly wrote herself — included phrases like America is “just downright mean” and that “we’re a nation of cynics, sloths, and complacents.” She claimed we are all “guided by fear” and that Barack would “make us work.”

She also said no one can afford to get sick in America (Really? There is a hospital building boom in this country and they are all full) and that there was no decent education to be had unless you were able to “finagle” your kid into a charter school (like the kind she went to).

She has every right to make those comments and Americans — including white Americans — have every right to be suspicious of her beliefs and wary about what kind of influence she might be on the president.

I don’t think it’s wrong to call out individual race-based comments but many African-Americans and white liberals want any criticism of the Obamas to be off limits, and they are quick to throw down a charge of racism to try and stop it. That’s just wrong and it cheapens the discussion.

In other words …

Michelle Obama didn’t have to give a speech last night because she is black. She had to give that speech because she spent the first few months of the campaign running down everything about America that she could think of … and because like her husband, she has a long history of questionable connections to people with radical backgrounds.

8. MrsPickron wrote:

last night was very emotional for me. I loved Ted & Michele’s speech. I cried at the end of both. Anyone who has anythinh negative to say about Michele’s speech is questionable. It has to take an extremly negative hateful person, a sexist or racist to down talk or make ill comments about her speech.

9. mike wrote:

Dr. Hill- Jesse Jackson Jr. didn’t make your review list. Is there a particular reason? What did you think about his message and how the people responded to him? By the way, I heard you on before you left for the convention, I hope you found better accomodations, LOL

10. mike wrote:

oops, heard you on the radio 900am…

11. MrsPickron wrote:

oh Marc you didn’t grade Jesse J Jr.? What grade would he earn? Anyone?

12. Tom Penn wrote:

Dr. Hill, you are SUCH a harsh grader! I gave Michelle Obama an A+

13. Marc Lamont Hill wrote:

mike,

i did that interview from the convention. i’ve been here since sunday. i’d give jesse jr. an A as well. he’s done an excellent job with Obama’s campaign, except for when he attacked jesse sr. in public. that was bogus…

14. inmyopinion wrote:

Is it just me or does anyone else find the idiots that planned to assissinate Obama suspect? Why would you ever admit to planning to assassinate the person that could quite possibly be the next President? Clearly they are not professional assassins or at least their plan wasn’t well thought out. (taking that kind of artillery into a place that has the highest security arenas in the country right now) But could this be a distraction from another group that really is going to attempt to do something to Obama?

Could this be a way to divide the demographics of black and white? And with all of the security issues, why would he even make a speech outside where a sniper or some stupid mother___ could try anything. Why not stay inside the Pepsi Center and have a live feed on a jumbotron or something to Invecso?

15. carisma wrote:

inmyopinion,

Obama is not scared of those good ole boy crakkas. He is a brave dude. He knows his destiny.

16. MrsPickron wrote:

I called those guys “white trash niggers”. They attempt to make a threat on Monday, didn’t everyone know that Obama wasn’t in Denver? I guess those niggers didn’t.

17. R.oB. wrote:

Marc,

Been watching the After Party on tv one? They grade stingily like you. Dyson gave Hillsry an A-. I was like what’s the minus for. Style? Subjective stuff like that always puts a chuckle in my mouth.

But it’s all love.

18. Andre wrote:

Dag Marc. The next time I’m up at Temple, maybe I should take a couple of your classes. It appears that you’re a pretty liberal grader. Giving Leach a B- ?! That’s generous as hell.

I would’ve given that snail a D+ at best.