Amid a heated national discussion on race and discrimination, the first family opened up to People Magazine about their own experiences with racism in an article published online Wednesday.
"There's no black male my age, who's a professional, who hasn't come out of a restaurant and is waiting for their car and somebody didn't hand them their car keys," the President told the magazine, saying it once happened to him.
"He was wearing a tuxedo at a black-tie dinner, and somebody asked him to get coffee," the first lady added.
The portion of the interview appearing online is a teaser of the 30-minute conversation the Obamas had with People, which is set to hit newsstands on Friday.
Michelle Obama also told the magazine that someone had once confused her for an employee during a highly-publicized trip to Target in 2011.
"[T]he only person who came up to me in the store was a woman who asked me to help her take something off a shelf," she said.
"Because she didn't see me as the First Lady, she saw me as someone who could help her," she added. "Those kinds of things happen in life. So it isn't anything new."
The first lady said her family's life before entering the White House was a very different picture.
"Before that, Barack Obama was a black man that lived on the South Side of Chicago, who had his share of troubles catching cabs."
The interview comes after a slew of high-profile cases of black men killed by police officers, from Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. to Eric Garner in New York City, to 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Ohio. The killings have inspired a wave of a protests across the country united in such slogans as "Black Lives Matter."
The President also appeared to reference the 2012 killing of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, who was shot by neighborhood vigilante George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fl.
"It's one thing for me to be mistaken for a waiter at a gala. It's another thing for my son to be mistaken for a robber and to be handcuffed, or worse, if he happens to be walking down the street and is dressed the way teenagers dress," he told the magazine.
Wait just a minute here. Someone asked Michelle WHEN SHE WAS THE FIRST LADY to help her at Target??? I have to be reading that wrong, right?
I hope all the hopes that that customer was like, "Hey, Mrs. Obama is tall and she's the First Lady so I will ask her to get me something from a high shelf and fingers crossed I go viral!!!"
Because man, I don't want to think about the alternative of not knowing who Michelle Obama is (and not noticing her SS entourage, and probably camera people).
Michelle O describing the same incident 2 years ago on Letterman:
---
At another point, Letterman held up a photo of Mrs. Obama shopping at Target in low-key garb.
"That’s my Target run. I went to Target," she said. "I thought I was undercover. I have to tell you something about this trip though. No one knew that was me because a woman actually walked up to me, right? I was in the detergent aisle, and she said — I kid you not — she said, ‘Excuse me, I just have to ask you something,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, cover’s blown.’ She said, ‘Can you reach on that shelf and hand me the detergent?’ I kid you not.”
As the audience laughed, she went on, “And the only thing she said — I reached up, ’cause she was short, and I reached up, pulled it down — she said, ‘Well, you didn’t have to make it look so easy.’ That was my interaction. I felt so good. ... She had no idea who I was. I thought, as soon as she walked up — I was with my assistant, and I said, ‘This is it, it’s over. We’re going to have to leave.’ She just needed the detergent.”
Wait just a minute here. Someone asked Michelle WHEN SHE WAS THE FIRST LADY to help her at Target??? I have to be reading that wrong, right?
I wonder if this was the trip?
Okay so I'm oblivious to celebrities while I'm out and I *might* not realize she's MO just from this picture until I look more closely (and notice all the SS folks surrounding me). But with that outfit she wouldn't be working at Target, so I wouldn't ask her for help.
LOL you beat me to it. I was going to say if she was wearing a red shirt and khakis then all bets are off.
I would guess Michelle hasn't worn a red short and khakis in her damn life. You know she went in something... casual... yet chic. And looked fab even though it was off the rack.
I just skimmed the article but does it mention how Obama was, yknow, accused of being a Muslim fer'ner. Because I still think Jimmy Carter was right on that one. That was some racist ass shit right there.
Yeah Michelle doesn't strike me as the kind of woman who has ever owned a pair of khakis.
Michelle O describing the same incident 2 years ago on Letterman:
---
At another point, Letterman held up a photo of Mrs. Obama shopping at Target in low-key garb.
"That’s my Target run. I went to Target," she said. "I thought I was undercover. I have to tell you something about this trip though. No one knew that was me because a woman actually walked up to me, right? I was in the detergent aisle, and she said — I kid you not — she said, ‘Excuse me, I just have to ask you something,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, cover’s blown.’ She said, ‘Can you reach on that shelf and hand me the detergent?’ I kid you not.”
As the audience laughed, she went on, “And the only thing she said — I reached up, ’cause she was short, and I reached up, pulled it down — she said, ‘Well, you didn’t have to make it look so easy.’ That was my interaction. I felt so good. ... She had no idea who I was. I thought, as soon as she walked up — I was with my assistant, and I said, ‘This is it, it’s over. We’re going to have to leave.’ She just needed the detergent.”
Being able to make fun of it doesn't mean she also didn't acknowledge the racism at the time.
Michelle O describing the same incident 2 years ago on Letterman:
---
At another point, Letterman held up a photo of Mrs. Obama shopping at Target in low-key garb.
"That’s my Target run. I went to Target," she said. "I thought I was undercover. I have to tell you something about this trip though. No one knew that was me because a woman actually walked up to me, right? I was in the detergent aisle, and she said — I kid you not — she said, ‘Excuse me, I just have to ask you something,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, cover’s blown.’ She said, ‘Can you reach on that shelf and hand me the detergent?’ I kid you not.”
As the audience laughed, she went on, “And the only thing she said — I reached up, ’cause she was short, and I reached up, pulled it down — she said, ‘Well, you didn’t have to make it look so easy.’ That was my interaction. I felt so good. ... She had no idea who I was. I thought, as soon as she walked up — I was with my assistant, and I said, ‘This is it, it’s over. We’re going to have to leave.’ She just needed the detergent.”
Hmmmmm.
I guess when I read "highly-publicized trip" in the OP, I was envisioning Joe Biden's visit to Costco. Not an incognito run to Target.
LOL you beat me to it. I was going to say if she was wearing a red shirt and khakis then all bets are off.
I would guess Michelle hasn't worn a red short and khakis in her damn life. You know she went in something... casual... yet chic. And looked fab even though it was off the rack.
I just skimmed the article but does it mention how Obama was, yknow, accused of being a Muslim fer'ner. Because I still think Jimmy Carter was right on that one. That was some racist ass shit right there.
We talked a lot about the Othering that was happening (and still happening) during the presidential elections.
Michelle O describing the same incident 2 years ago on Letterman:
---
At another point, Letterman held up a photo of Mrs. Obama shopping at Target in low-key garb.
"That’s my Target run. I went to Target," she said. "I thought I was undercover. I have to tell you something about this trip though. No one knew that was me because a woman actually walked up to me, right? I was in the detergent aisle, and she said — I kid you not — she said, ‘Excuse me, I just have to ask you something,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, cover’s blown.’ She said, ‘Can you reach on that shelf and hand me the detergent?’ I kid you not.”
As the audience laughed, she went on, “And the only thing she said — I reached up, ’cause she was short, and I reached up, pulled it down — she said, ‘Well, you didn’t have to make it look so easy.’ That was my interaction. I felt so good. ... She had no idea who I was. I thought, as soon as she walked up — I was with my assistant, and I said, ‘This is it, it’s over. We’re going to have to leave.’ She just needed the detergent.”
Being able to make fun of it doesn't mean she also didn't acknowledge the racism at the time.
I'm here. Additionally, she's on Letterman. Not exactly the forum, kwim?
Look, she and I are the same height. I get asked by people to help them pull stuff off top shelves a lot. But my privilege is I don't give it a second thought that it's anything BUT my height. I can see it being a hell of a lot more loaded for her.
Michelle O describing the same incident 2 years ago on Letterman:
---
At another point, Letterman held up a photo of Mrs. Obama shopping at Target in low-key garb.
"That’s my Target run. I went to Target," she said. "I thought I was undercover. I have to tell you something about this trip though. No one knew that was me because a woman actually walked up to me, right? I was in the detergent aisle, and she said — I kid you not — she said, ‘Excuse me, I just have to ask you something,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, cover’s blown.’ She said, ‘Can you reach on that shelf and hand me the detergent?’ I kid you not.”
As the audience laughed, she went on, “And the only thing she said — I reached up, ’cause she was short, and I reached up, pulled it down — she said, ‘Well, you didn’t have to make it look so easy.’ That was my interaction. I felt so good. ... She had no idea who I was. I thought, as soon as she walked up — I was with my assistant, and I said, ‘This is it, it’s over. We’re going to have to leave.’ She just needed the detergent.”
Being able to make fun of it doesn't mean she also didn't acknowledge the racism at the time.
But I don't think we can assume this woman thought MO worked there from this exchange.
Now, I'm tall so this is not a problem I have IRL lol. So I don't know if shorter people go and ask for an actual Target employee to reach something for them or if it's common to just ask any tall person nearby for help. I can't recall specifics but I may have been asked to reach something a few times; not often, but I recall it happening. I still wouldn't ask someone myself unless I knew they worked there.
That's neither here nor there regarding the issue of racism though. This woman could very well have asked MO assuming she was the help. I don't know. But just from the way MO tells this story (and it's Letterman, so she could have been making light of the situation), I'm not finding that to have been the case.
Being able to make fun of it doesn't mean she also didn't acknowledge the racism at the time.
But I don't think we can assume this woman thought MO worked there from this exchange.
Now, I'm tall so this is not a problem I have IRL lol. So I don't know if shorter people go and ask for an actual Target employee to reach something for them or if it's common to just ask any tall person nearby for help. I can't recall specifics but I may have been asked to reach something a few times; not often, but I recall it happening. I still wouldn't ask someone myself unless I knew they worked there.
That's neither here nor there regarding the issue of racism though. This woman could very well have asked MO assuming she was the help. I don't know. But just from the way MO tells this story (and it's Letterman, so she could have been making light of the situation), I'm not finding that to have been the case.
MO's quote was the lady didn't see her as the first lady, she saw her as someone who could help here. With going back to the other thread does have a lot to do with your skin color.
Is this going to be another 8 page thread where we rehash the validity of one person feeling targeted because of their race because others in the exact same situation haven't felt that way? Because, I gotta say, if we keep having this same conversation with the exact same reasonings, I'm going to start beating people.
ETA: ESPECIALLY since this is just one instance in a long line of instances that have happened to her. She mentioned it because it was an instance that was part of the public memory. Should she trot out every other single instance where she has felt this way, so people can weigh and judge the validity of her experiences?
What I really want the Obamas to do after this Presidency is say some shit about the outcry when Michelle stated that for the first time she was really proud of this country. It really bothered me that the media and idiots in this nation didn't understand the context of that statement for African Americans. Some of us - especially myself - doubted that this country was ready for a black man to sit in the White House as the leader of the free world. And the inability of this nation to view that statement through the lens of people who had been enslaved, lynched and denied Civil Rights still irks the hell out of me.
Michelle O describing the same incident 2 years ago on Letterman:
---
At another point, Letterman held up a photo of Mrs. Obama shopping at Target in low-key garb.
"That’s my Target run. I went to Target," she said. "I thought I was undercover. I have to tell you something about this trip though. No one knew that was me because a woman actually walked up to me, right? I was in the detergent aisle, and she said — I kid you not — she said, ‘Excuse me, I just have to ask you something,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, cover’s blown.’ She said, ‘Can you reach on that shelf and hand me the detergent?’ I kid you not.”
As the audience laughed, she went on, “And the only thing she said — I reached up, ’cause she was short, and I reached up, pulled it down — she said, ‘Well, you didn’t have to make it look so easy.’ That was my interaction. I felt so good. ... She had no idea who I was. I thought, as soon as she walked up — I was with my assistant, and I said, ‘This is it, it’s over. We’re going to have to leave.’ She just needed the detergent.”
Hmmmmm.
I guess when I read "highly-publicized trip" in the OP, I was envisioning Joe Biden's visit to Costco. Not an incognito run to Target.
That's how I read "highly-publicized," as well.
I'm also extremely oblivious to people when I'm out and about - I just don't really notice people unless I'm making an effort, and might not notice a close friend unless he/she greeted me first. So realistically I probably wouldn't have realized this was MO shopping near me if she was incognito like that. But, I also wouldn't have assumed she worked there!
Bigger picture, these threads are making me wonder two things: (1) Am I the only person who, if I'm unsure if a person works at a store, actually asks "excuse me, do you work here?" before asking for help? I mean, most places are pretty clear, but there is the occasional store where employees don't wear uniforms and name tags. (2) I am short. I often can't reach things on shelves. When there is a tall person right near me in the grocery store aisle, is it never OK for me to ask if they can get something down for me? Because I admit I do this from time to time, and never with the assumption that the person is an employee but rather just hoping he/she is willing to help out a vertically-challenged stranger.
But I don't think we can assume this woman thought MO worked there from this exchange.
Now, I'm tall so this is not a problem I have IRL lol. So I don't know if shorter people go and ask for an actual Target employee to reach something for them or if it's common to just ask any tall person nearby for help. I can't recall specifics but I may have been asked to reach something a few times; not often, but I recall it happening. I still wouldn't ask someone myself unless I knew they worked there.
That's neither here nor there regarding the issue of racism though. This woman could very well have asked MO assuming she was the help. I don't know. But just from the way MO tells this story (and it's Letterman, so she could have been making light of the situation), I'm not finding that to have been the case.
MO's quote was the lady didn't see her as the first lady, she saw her as someone who could help here. With going back to the other thread does have a lot to do with your skin color.
Is this going to be another 8 page thread where we rehash the validity of one person feeling targeted because of their race because others in the exact same situation haven't felt that way? Because, I gotta say, if we keep having this same conversation with the exact same reasonings, I'm going to start beating people.
I read the prior thread loud and clear. No need to beat me (unless you feel like it).
I realize it's loaded for MO. Reading the two different accounts of what occurred that were posted here, I got confused. Thinking about it in the few minutes since I posted, I do think she made the experience more lighthearted for Letterman even though it really wasn't such a lighthearted experience.
Another shorty checking in. I will ask taller people (regardless of color or gender) for assistance. Even more so when I was pregnant.
I also offered my tall H's assistance to a nearby shopper who clearly couldn't reach an item on an upper shelf. (He is shy and was not amused, but did assist)
Short person checking in. I ask tall people for help all the time. I can totally see why MO was offended, but it really could be totally innocent. I mean, does the average person really expect that MO is shopping in Target incognito?
What I really want the Obamas to do after this Presidency is say some shit about the outcry when Michelle stated that for the first time she was really proud of this country. It really bothered me that the media and idiots in this nation didn't understand the context of that statement for African Americans. Some of us - especially myself - doubted that this country was ready for a black man to sit in the White House as the leader of the free world. And the inability of this nation to view that statement through the lens of people who had been enslaved, lynched and denied Civil Rights still irks the hell out of me.
I'm not sure I remember everything about that correctly, but Michelle Obama did clarify that same day, I believe in another campaign speech, that she was finally proud of her country because it was the first time in her adult life where people were finally hopeful and getting involved in politics when they hadn't been before. She was campaigning, so I'm sure it was totally intentional that African Americans understood that the "people" who were finally hopeful and getting involved were African Americans, but it was also vague enough that white Americans just thought that meant all of us too.
Post by iammalcolmx on Dec 17, 2014 11:02:58 GMT -5
I short, I ask tall people for help all the time. I would have recognized her ESPECIALLY when I heard her voice. Michelle may have not be offended but I am.
Post by Velar Fricative on Dec 17, 2014 11:05:12 GMT -5
I'll help reach for things when asked but man, sometimes I'm in a rush, sometimes whatever shit they're asking for is heavy, and sometimes I'm sore or injured or whatever and then I feel bad for saying no (I haven't said no, I know I would just feel bad). But if people don't ask and they happen to struggle and my shoulder isn't killing me that particular day and I'm not oblivious to the world around me as I usually am, I'll ask if they need help.
So safest bet is to just find an employee for help. But I don't like talking to strangers, so there's that too. (I guess I don't consider employees "strangers.")
NOTE: I am not comparing the Plight of the Tall Folk to anything else. No Suffering Olympics here.
Look, I'll trot my little anecdote out: I was working in the costume shop. I was wearing a halloween apron, a giant green wig, and a flower headband. I was STILL asked if I worked there before being asked to do anything. Every. single. time. I was wearing something ridiculous and was still asked if I worked there before being asked to get something for someone.
The Target trip was highly publicized because she was there incognito and someone recognized her and sent it in to the Washington Post that she was at the Potomac Yard Target and it became a big story. It was not that it was highly publicized that it was an official event or she strolled on in as the first lady.
As far as MO in this target situation, I wonder if the lady asked if she worked there first. If she said, "I'm sorry, I know you don't work here, but can you help a shorty out??" then I don't think it's racist. I think it was comfort in a height difference and advantage.
I like this approach - given these conversations, it seems like a safer way to prevent an unintentional microaggression than just assuming the person knows I know (s)he isn't the help.