I bet you didn't know this, but there's one thing that's harder than being the First Lady to the first Black president of the United States-it's no longer being First Lady. Michelle Obama is a portrait of compelling contradictions: She is at once full of privilege and oppression, but also wealth and lack. She's basking in the spotlight one minute (for eight years) while longing for anonymity --- and yet also choosing to make regular media appearances years after her family left the White House.
Michelle is seemingly everywhere now on social media, even though her husband hasn't been president since 2017. She made a stir Nov. 14 while discussing the launch of her memoir "The Look." (She's written at least three books now, including her 2018 memoir, "Becoming.") At one point, Michelle started complaining to host Tracee Ellis Ross about the challenges Black women face when styling their hair and referencing the Crown Act.
"Let me explain something to White people," Michelle said, "Our hair comes out of our head naturally in a curly pattern, so when we are straightening it to follow your beauty standards, we are trapped by the straightness. That's why so many of us can't swim.....we're trying to keep our hair straight for y'all!...Why do we need an act -- an act of law -- to tell White folks to get outta our hair?"
Michelle said this with a grin on her face, somewhat tongue in cheek, if I'm hearing her tone correctly -- and with straightened hair to boot. But she was clearly still using the moment on stage to complain about inequitable, even racist, beauty standards. Imagine being a former First Lady and being irritated—about hair?
I don't know about you, but I've never cared about how Michelle styled her hair, nor -- I would bet -- does anyone else. But this didn't stop her from grumbling, while promoting a book she was able to write due to the immense opportunities that have come her way, undoubtedly because her husband was chosen as the first Black president of the U.S. in 2004.
Michelle is a victim in her own mind
Michelle has been complaining quite a bit lately while doing podcasts or other interviews. In a spring interview with "The Diary of a CEO" podcast with Steven Bartlett, Michelle complained that the First Family had to pay for their own food and personal travel, which was expensive. I'm sure that was frustrating, but their family also received enormous perks and benefits of the position, including her subsequent books. While book deals are normal, together, the couple has an estimated net worth of at least $70 million.
On her own podcast, "IMO," which she co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson, Michelle complained about her and Barack's lack of anonymity. "It's hard for Barack and I to just be in the world unobserved," Michelle said. "As a couple, so much of your interaction just happens because you two are experiencing the world together, sitting in a park and watching life go by, stopping at a cafe and getting a cup of coffee."
I'm sure it's hard to be recognized everywhere, but she is a former First Lady, and she also continues to willingly do interviews, podcasts, and other appearances. It seems like the height of hypocrisy to complain about the life she has now -- a life of incredible wealth and privilege -- afforded to her because of her time in the White House, she complains about. Her ongoing victimhood act is exhausting.
I'm sure that eight years in the White House as the country's first Black presidential couple came with enormous challenges and scrutiny. I can imagine that life after that is difficult too, thanks to America's high expectations and endless media coverage of a historic couple.
But it seems like Michelle wants to have her cake and eat it too: She wants to complain about the lack of anonymity while penning multiple books filled with anecdotes about her life. She wants to complain to audiences about White standards of beauty while amassing wealth, fame, and properties.
Michelle has increased her net worth by millions, thanks to people buying her books and listening to her podcasts -- and I'm guessing White people are fans of her as much as Black people. The couple expanded their lucrative Netflix deal despite having no previous career in Hollywood. They own at least four expensive properties in prime locations around the U.S. Imagine how much she would complain if she didn't have these things?
After the Obamas left the White House, Michelle Obama began speaking more and more openly -- on podcasts and in other interviews -- and often came across surprisingly likable, practical, and also, unscripted. Her advice on marriage and even parenting has really resonated with me at times. Especially when she isn't talking politics, it was as if leaving the White House freed her to speak her mind about topics she enjoyed. It was refreshing.
But lately it seems like she'd rather spend her time complaining, whining, and discouraging audiences, especially Black Americans. Michelle is the epitome of the American Dream realized. It's too bad she has spent her time after her husband's presidency complaining about the gifts that were given to her and continues to bestow upon their family. It's self-centered, hypocritical, and honestly, becoming insufferable.
