Is Michelle a Great Pretender?

Seldom does an event give rise to as many stories as a political convention during an election year. And simply being in immediate proximity to the Pepsi Center provides an unobstructed view through which a plethora of stories can be witnessed. From the unprecedentedly tight security (you can't get anywhere near the DNC without credentials, and then it's like getting through an airport terminal), to the "Obama Loves Gays" signs (replete with stick-figure images engaged in "dogie-style" sex), to the mindless, bandwagon-jumping delegates (most of whom seem to be connected electronically to a switch that causes them to erupt in concert upon hearing a preselected list of phrases - such as Nancy Pelosi's unbelievably lame "John McCain is wrong"); this DNC is a petri dish where stories grow at a bacteria-like pace.

The tension between those protesting outside the convention and those caught up in the euphoria of "Obamania" inside is, of course, one of the best stories to explore. We all agree that things need to change, but those outside "The Can" call for changes that are far more radical than those inside, who seem to believe that the best way to achieve change is to work within the system. I have to admit that part of me lies in each camp, and being inside the DNC - as I was yesterday and will be for the next three days - subjected me to the best and the worst of what the system has to offer.

An endless steam of uninspiring speakers, offering little but platitudes and worn out rhetoric finally gave way to something truly special when an ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy provided the first source of inspiration of the evening in an eleventh-hour decision to take the floor. This man is a leader in the truest sense of the word, and I would love to spend my blogging time extolling the virtues of his vanishing breed of politicians who truly care about the common people they have pledged to serve. But I have something else on my mind, so suffice it to say that Kennedy's address was the first sign that this DNC just might be poised to fulfill its potential as a catalyst for the reversing of course so many of us feel is needed.

While considerably less inspiring, and certainly less emotional, Michelle Obama's address was the most blogworthy event of the evening. To create the proper context, one must wander back to the "blunder" that the would-be first lady made last February when she proclaimed, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." Predictably, this statement provided the perfect opportunity for Obama's opponents to pounce, and pounce they did, as this misunderstood statement could so easily be dressed up as proof that the Obamas are unsuitable for the White House by virtue of their "lack of patriotism."

During the ensuing seven months, Michelle Obama has been preparing for the moment when she could "set the record straight." No, she is not an angry black woman, bitter about the way her people have been treated in America. No. She really does love her country and is grateful for the many opportunities she has been afforded. What happened to her people in the past, and what continues to happen to most of them, well, that was then and all is forgiven. Especially now that her hubby is on the verge of becoming The Chief, and anything else from his running "mate" would be damaging to his electability.

So, when Michelle Obama approached the microphone and smiled her first smile, it was already obvious what she was going to say. The key word was "love," and by the time she walked off the stage Michelle Obama had done her job: She had dispelled the misconception that she is a black woman who is angry about injustice, and successfully re-branded herself as a loving wife, a loving mother, a loving daughter, a lover of (the Christian) God, and - above all else - a lover of her country.

And I say, what a pity that our political system robs people running for leadership positions of their souls as a prerequisite for inclusion. I don't blame Michelle Obama for this; she did what she had to do to help her husband get elected, which is, by the way, a goal that we share. But she had to sell her soul to do it, and that's where I find myself a spirit more kindred with those outside the building, and the system, than those inside. Because when your goal is to stay inside there's no telling what you'll do or say. And that's where truth can become lie, and right can become wrong.

Has Michelle Obama really lost the anger she feels about the injustices, past and present, that have been committed against African Americans in this country? Without question, the answer is no. Rather, she's just pretending in an ends-justify-the-means charade.

Do we really want leaders who pretend they're not angry about injustice? And, to get right to heart of the matter: Can we continue to support a political system that requires our leaders to make pretences - about anything? For my money, give me a leader who tells it like it is. I'm not saying that Barack Obama isn't that kind of leader, but his wife's capitulations at the DNC cause me to wonder.

SS