Michelle Obama’s Remarks on American ‘Ignorance’ Elicit More Questions About Race
March 4: Barack and Michelle Obama wave to the crowd in San Antonio, Texas, following Super Tuesday II voting. (AP Photo)
Michelle Obama came under new criticism Thursday as opponents seized upon remarks the would-be first lady made in a speech in January, when she told a group of students that they need to take advantage of diversity on campus so they can stop feeling “justified in your own ignorance … That’s America.”
Obama’s speech at the University of South Carolina hit the radar only this week, after it was circulated and widely viewed on YouTube.
In the speech, she said: “We don’t like being pushed outside of our comfort zones. You know it right here on this campus. You know, people sitting at different tables — you all living in different dorms. I was there.
“You’re not talking to each other, taking advantage that you’re in this diverse community. Because sometimes it’s easier to hold on to your own stereotypes and misconceptions. It makes you feel justified in your own ignorance. That’s America. So the challenge for us is, are we ready for change?”
Conservative critics said Thursday that Obama’s latest take on America is another demonstration of her disregard for the country her husband wants to lead.
“A statement like that suggests a distorted view of America and what it’s about,” said National Review editor Rich Lowry.
“There’s no doubt she’s right about this segregation on college campuses, but to characterize America in that way is not right. What she’s describing on college campuses is true, but what she’s implying is not. It’s an unfortunate phenomenon that isn’t really America or what we want America to be like.”
“Michelle Obama is a very smart woman, wife and attorney. And I believe that Michelle Obama knew exactly what she was saying. Her remarks speak for themselves. They’re very clear. I don’t think they can be misconstrued,” said political consultant Andrea Tantaros. “It’s unfortunate because it comes at a time when Obama is looking to get back on campaign issues. So now he’s in a very difficult place. It’s going to be tough to get back on message.”
But Democratic strategist Kirsten Powers said “people are reading too much” into the remarks.
“I think that people over-analyze things that she says. People are reading too much into it. She’s not suggesting that only Americans do this. And she’s right about the fact that people tend to behave that way,” she said.
An Obama campaign spokesman said Michelle Obama’s remarks during the speech were misinterpreted. She was referring to a common phenomenon on college campuses and was asking students to step out of that mindset. It was the idea of “comfort zones” that she thought was so “America.”
Obama, a Princeton and Harvard Law graduate, says she went through the same thing when she was a student. She told the audience that if they can help elect her husband to the presidency, then it will bring hope to young people around the world and bring change globally that she has “never seen in my lifetime.”
She added that the only difference between the grandparents who raised her husband and her own parents is their race. Otherwise, they shared the same values and taught their offspring to be honest, truthful and respectful of others.
But Lowry said part of the reason Obama’s comments keep attracting attention is because “Democrats interpret many things through the prism of race.”
Republican strategist Todd Boulanger agreed.
“Race is not taboo on the campaign trail, but these comments — from both the Obama and Clinton campaigns — are just stirring the pot and it’s not healthy for our country,” he said.
Boulanger said discussing race is a “loser issue” because middle-class Americans of all races are looking at issues like home foreclosures and feeding their families.
“As far as race is concerned, I don’t think you’re going to see Republicans talk about it. They want to talk about the economy and the War on Terror,” Boulanger said.
U.S. News & World Report senior writer Michael Barone said Michelle Obama’s message of going out and meeting someone with a different background or characteristics “sounds like pretty good advice.”
“I don’t find that very objectionable,” he said, adding that earlier remarks about her being proud of her country for the first time in her adult life are much more questionable.
“Most of us have had occasion to feel really proud of our country on more than one occasion and we don’t need a spouse to run, have a good campaign for president of the United States in order to feel that.”
Barone, a FOX News contributor, said race and stereotyping are still challenges in America, but the days of appealing to voters on ethnic and racial lines “are long gone.”
“At the same time, there’s a tendency to support people with whom you have some common affinity or identifying characteristic, and you know, that’s not always a negative thing.”
Boulanger said that if talk about racial issues continues to dominate discussion, it could hurt the Obama campaign.
“If the issue of race keeps getting brought up in the context that it has, he probably cannot transcend it. Right now, I don’t think it’s something people really want to talk about. I think there has been some damage done to him, no question, and his image has certainly been tarnished. And if he keeps talking about it and responding to it, it’s not going to be good for him,” he said. “I do think, though, that even though there’s been some damage, he can come back and correct it if he’s the nominee.”
“To Obama’s credit, when he started his campaign, he was able to transcend race and he didn’t make race an issue,” Tantaros said. “But, unfortunately, others around him have made race an issue. And now it’s hit so close to home. I think it’s going to be a very delicate dance for him to get off the subject.”
Powers said the Obamas are facing hyper-sensitive scrutiny “because they’re used to having politicians be so careful in what they say. The Obamas have shown that they don’t pander to everybody, and I find that refreshing. They talk to America like they are adults.”
Click here to see the excerpted Michelle Obama remark at University of South Carolina.
Oh come on now! This is getting frustrated! Who cares about this! We are losing jobs, people are dying in Iraq, Gas is getting higher.. thats what we need to focus on, not some comments people are trying to make it out to be a bad thing. I was a Billary supporter, but I am re thinking this whole thing and maybe not even vote!
of course she has a separatist view, their “pastor” and mentor indoctrinated that way of thinking into them over the two decades that they went to his black supremacist, jew hating, anti american church. obviously they share the reverends views because they chose to stay and listen to the hatred being spewed by reverend wright.
I wholeheartedly agree with the last statement. The Obamas don’t pander to everybody.They talk to America like they are adults.
It is true that we have a lot of diversity and stereotypes. The Obamas encourage people to embrace that diversity. Stereotypes aren’t every to completely go away because we ARE diverse - but put the positive spin on it instead of the negative.
I personally did not find Michelle’s comment about being proud of America for the first time in her adult life because I understood where she was coming from. We have come a long way - but we have a long way to go before ALL people are treated equally. I find their comments usually a challenge for all of us to do better - it is not an insult - complacency that makes us think we are great and don’t need to do better is to our detriment.
we really think Mrs. OBAMA had a lot to do with the RACE issue. we remember at one of her rally’s some months ago she asked (BLACK AMERICA< WAKE UP). we thought this was a sensitive remark.why did she not say (AMERICA WAKE UP). she has said too many things regarding her feelings for this country, which makes us feel that she too is influenced by her PASTOR. these beliefs of their PASTOR is like a time bomb waiting to go off. ANTI AMERICAN HATE SPEECHES can lead to VIOLENCE.
I think Michelle Obama is right on. If you are working with school children you see that every day. People stay within their own groups. There are some people in the country where people interact with different groups mostly based on money. The people who don’t interact with others are those who don’t have the means to move out of certain areas. Yes, things are getting better, but if college students are that way now, what happens when they go into the work force?
I’m tired of hearing that other people started playing the race card. Obama backers and the media (the ones who are so enamored with Obama) have been behind every race issue that has come up. I’m sure that many of the blacks are as tired of this as we are. A white person cannot utter the word black without someone yelling “race card, race card”. I feel the media plays a large part in anything that happens in a campaign year and it is unfortunate that they can manipulate the public like they do. I guess it makes them feel like BIG people. MSNBC is the worst. Now Chris Matthews is going to interview Obama for one whole hour - don’t know if they’ll make it through the entire hour without life jackets as Chris tends to salavate profusely everytime Obama’s name is mentioned. Thank GOD November is only 7 months away.
Of course I would expect this negative garbage by Michelle Obama to be on the YouTube. Gee Hillary good idea to bring up something from over two months ago that her campaign had tucked away to bring out at a later time, like today. Hillary why not just call both the Obama’s uncle Toms or just typical black people and get it over with. I am a white male so I can say this. I also made the mistake of voting for your husband in 92 & 96. I won’t make the critical mistake of voting for you.
GO HILLARY !!!
With the NEW Pastor Problems - CHurch Bulletin - Bashing Many American Groups -
Obama’s background is just too questionable to be elected to President of the UNITED States.
I really feel that it is Michelle who wants to stay in this Radical church - and - he just goes along with it. Seems like it is her feelings that are somehow distorted on this whole race issue.
Why is everyone trying to twist every word and phrase she has said. The whole phrase in context is very contructive and positive. This article is a transparent example of a reporters attempt to divide and distract Americans from the real issues. The economy, The War, Free Trade, Global Warming, Race relations in America, Immigration, Smaller government, etc… Stop sweating the small stuff!
-ED
All too often we deal with the things we care not to change or correct by ignoring them. Pretend they do not esist. Delibertly become ignorant. And retain that stance until it personally adversely affects enough people to warrant an uproar for change. We get so upset when the dog is awaken before the masses think it is time!!!!