Michelle Obama, the former First Lady, has recently been vocal about her perceived victimhood, a theme that has been recurrent in her public appearances and on her podcast.
In a recent interview with ABC News correspondent Gayle King, Mrs. Obama lamented her time in the White House, asserting that she and her family were denied the "grace" that other presidential families were granted.
During the interview, Mrs. Obama stated, We didn't get the grace that I think some other (first) families have gotten." King probed further, asking if the Obamas felt the pressure of being the first black couple in the White House. Mrs. Obama responded, "For sure. You can't afford to get anything wrong because you didn't get the, and at least until the country got to know us, we didn't get the grace that I think some other families have gotten."
According to RedState, this claim seems to be a distortion of reality. The Obama years were marked by a media that was largely supportive of the First Family. The mainstream media outlets were often seen celebrating the Obamas, with their images gracing the covers of high-end magazines and their actions being met with widespread approval. Any controversies were quickly dismissed, replaced by a seemingly endless celebration of their tenure in the White House.
The notion of a "lack of grace" seems to be at odds with the media's treatment of the Obamas. Comparatively, the Trump and Bush families faced far more criticism and scrutiny. The Trump family, in particular, was subjected to relentless criticism, while the Bush family, including their teenage daughters, were not spared from media attacks.
The Obamas, on the other hand, seemed to have a uniquely protected experience as the First Family, a privilege they continue to enjoy as they reside in their Martha's Vineyard mansion, often engaging with journalists who appear eager to praise them.
The racial implications in Mrs. Obama's comments have also raised eyebrows. Both she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, have frequently portrayed themselves as victims, a strategy that has arguably contributed to increased racial tension in American society. This approach, while beneficial to the Obamas, has led to a more divided nation, with racial issues becoming increasingly contentious.
Despite the claims made in the interview, the Obamas have been treated favorably by the American public and have been afforded numerous opportunities. If they were to acknowledge this, they could potentially help to bridge the racial divide they have been accused of exacerbating.
However, their continued portrayal of themselves as victims suggests that this is unlikely. Instead, the public is left to empathize with the supposed struggles of a family that has been elevated to near-royalty in the United States, a narrative that some find increasingly difficult to accept.
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