Page 2 | What did Michelle Obama mean about Meghan & Harry Intervire

Hoppinggreen · 18/03/2021 15:43

Just because Michelle Obama is black it doesn’t mean she has to agree with or support everything another black or mixed race woman does
She can have her own opinion

Original poster

Mummyozzi · 18/03/2021 15:45

@Ellpellwood

I also think this plus her separate comments about hoping there is forgiveness in the family (not specifying who deserves forgiveness!) show she thinks they shouldn't make it about them as individuals.

I don't necessarily agree though. Her period of "public service" was 8 years as First Lady. I don't think you can expect a whole family to keep their affairs out of the media for their entire lives because they should be concentrating on us minions. Half the point of them is a tourist attraction and big garden parties for weddings, jubilees and so on.

agree you can't compare the two. Royal family is a whole different animal. Michelle Obama never had her relatives dragged through press or portrayed as the villain in a sister in law spectacle. Nobody ever got cross at her for not giving birth and appearing in a dress at a media shoot hours after etc etc etc

I think Michelle Obama probably wants to seperate herself and not be pulled into a 'team black woman' vs 'white people debate in media.

They're sort of in competition as two former public figures/couples and both wanting to secure streaming and book deals so...

OP posts:

allthethingsyouknow · 18/03/2021 15:47

'team black woman' vs 'white people

Michelle is a black woman, yes. Who else is in this picture? That isn't also white?

goldfinchfan · 18/03/2021 15:47

It is most likely that Michelle Obama can see thru MM's BS and does not want to be sucked in.

Race is much more important in USA and MM has played this too hard and made it al about herself.
She shows no interest in other people's problems or difficulties because of racism or mental health issues.

Micheller Obama is a woman of intelligence and MM is not. MM is all about MM and money.
I don't believe she ever gives a stuff for anyone else, and seems to have attached herself to Harry so she can demand all she wants on his behalf.

derxa · 18/03/2021 15:49

@Hoppinggreen

Just because Michelle Obama is black it doesn’t mean she has to agree with or support everything another black or mixed race woman does She can have her own opinion

Yes.

Number3BigCupOfTea · 18/03/2021 15:53

I hope the media allow michelle to stay out of M&H drama

FoxyTheFox · 18/03/2021 15:53

If you read the full thing, it's obviously pro-Meghan. The tabloids are desperate to take bits out of context to make out their jabs at Meghan.

Exactly this.

A handful of quotes taken out of context paint a very different picture to the whole interview, she was very supportive of Meghan in the interview.

SilverBirchWithout · 18/03/2021 15:56

Michelle Obama has been on the receiving end of really horrific racism both from the public and in the US media. Having experienced this because of the person she was married to I suspect she can relate to MM, what MO has said is very relevant and well-worth listening to.

As MO says, Unfortunately it IS not surprising that there has been an element of racism around some media coverage of MM, how you best deal with that is probably not staging an interview with Oprah that ends up being a media circus focussing on minutiae of who said what, and who made who cry.

And yes, racism of every kind should always be called out, it is not acceptable but there are more important issues surrounding both race and other topics that need the media spotlight - it’s not all about M&H and their ‘suffering’.

MrsBobDylan · 18/03/2021 16:13

I've just listening to that section of the interview and I didn't get the impression that Michelle Obama was taking sides at all.

She clearly wishes Megan and Harry well and tried to give some advice on the situation. She hopes they can reconcile with Harry's family and basically says that racism is everywhere and they should just keep doing what they want to do.

Michelle is the most intelligent and articulate woman. She must have experienced huge discrimination and had to be so tough and strong to achieve what she has. I think she just hopes Megan and Harry can find that same strength and drive to achieve their dreams too.

DeRigueurMortis · 18/03/2021 16:18

Personally I think it was a masterclass in not ignoring the elephants in the room whilst avoiding being dragged into family drama by overtly taking sides.

I think H&M would have gained a lot more out of a 3 hour private conversation with MO then a 3 hour public one with OW.

allthethingsyouknow · 18/03/2021 16:21

Hmmmm it did seem an unusual stance from Michelle. Can't quite get my head around it. She did say same interview that our priorities should be on vaccines/ jobs etc.

I wouldn't say that Michelle Obama is entirely selfless, she did cooperate on a documentary about herself.

What has this got to do with anything? Does selfless = Never say one thing about yourself or contribute to anything about yourself? Does this then invalidate her --selfless- concern for the vaccine/jobs because, according to you, she "isn't exactly selfless"? What a ludicrous snide dig that was.

Bjarnum · 18/03/2021 16:23

@skirk64

Michelle Obama says that public service should shine a light on the people being served.

That's a very fair point. Much of the hatred directed at MM and PH is rooted in the perception of hypocrisy they live by. They speak about using their privileges to help others, yet the "show" always seems to be about them individually. They speak about media intrusion whilst seeking out and doing lucrative deals with the media. They say they don't want public funds whilst arguing that their child should be a prince so that they get their security funded.

If they just quietened down and got on with helping people - with charities, like William does, or directly meeting AIDS patients and walking through landmine sites like Diana did - and stopped this slanging match with the media, people would come to respect them more.

This ^. In trumps!

tangerinelollipop · 18/03/2021 16:25

Neither supportive or critical entirely

It was probably wise of her to be non-committal and provide a balanced view

PercyPiginaWig · 18/03/2021 16:26

I think H&M would have gained a lot more out of a 3 hour private conversation with MO then a 3 hour public one with OW.

But they wouldn't have made money out of that...

DeRigueurMortis · 18/03/2021 16:28

@PercyPiginaWig

I think H&M would have gained a lot more out of a 3 hour private conversation with MO then a 3 hour public one with OW.

But they wouldn't have made money out of that...

They weren't paid for the OW interview.

PRsecrets · 18/03/2021 16:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sprining · 18/03/2021 16:32

Ive only read snippets of the interview but I think the obamas and H&M know each other well.

As a former First Lady, I think she struck a good note, sympathetic on the racism aspect and neutral and conciliatory on the way forward

missbridgerton · 18/03/2021 16:35

Given that the Obamas are the role models that MM aspires to and are also signed to Netflix, I'd say she was being extremely tactful.

Quirrelsotherface · 18/03/2021 16:40

Her comments were so classy and measures. She can see right through Meghan Markle and out the other side. Thank goodness.

Quirrelsotherface · 18/03/2021 16:40

*measured

Signalbox · 18/03/2021 16:42

To me it felt as though she didn't find the interview honest

She wouldn’t be the only one.

Nanny0gg · 18/03/2021 16:42

@skirk64

Michelle Obama says that public service should shine a light on the people being served.

That's a very fair point. Much of the hatred directed at MM and PH is rooted in the perception of hypocrisy they live by. They speak about using their privileges to help others, yet the "show" always seems to be about them individually. They speak about media intrusion whilst seeking out and doing lucrative deals with the media. They say they don't want public funds whilst arguing that their child should be a prince so that they get their security funded.

If they just quietened down and got on with helping people - with charities, like William does, or directly meeting AIDS patients and walking through landmine sites like Diana did - and stopped this slanging match with the media, people would come to respect them more.

This is the only time that I think it's a shame they walked.

The causes they were championing over here were really good ones and I think they missed a golden opportunity to really make a difference.

Nanny0gg · 18/03/2021 16:43

@Mummyozzi

Also I get M Obama is big on the 'they go low we go high' dignity and diplomatic thing but would have thought she would be empathetic to mental health issues and the rest.

To me it felt as though she didn't find the interview honest.

Which may be true.

PercyPiginaWig · 18/03/2021 16:43

Sorry @DeRigueurMortis I agree that they would have gained more as in good sound advice if Michelle Obama had agreed, but even if not paid for the Oprah interview it generates publicity which appears to be their currency (when it suits them).

I do think the racism should be tackled, and head on, I feel sorry for MM in that respect, as well as for mental health issues, but overall Harry and Meghan's behaviour does not impress me. I do speak as someone opposed to the institution that is the Royal Family if that makes any difference.

Running20 · 18/03/2021 17:00

@Mummyozzi

Just watching the interview with the Bush first daughter and Michelle Obama. It's on youtube 'Michekke Obama Weighs in in Meghan Markles Interview...'

Michelle Obama says that public service should shine a light on the people being served. She also says race isn't a new construct to people of colour. She says it's not surprising and expected.

I was surprised that a democrat wouldn't be more sympathetic to Meghan and Harry. It almost sounded like she wanted them to get on with it. Even on the issue of race it was as thought she was almost saying that MM shouldn't have been surprised and no should we. Almost as though the fact it's a news story and taking away from other stuff bothers her.

I was surprised by this and know she's personally met Kate and William.

What is your take ?

I felt that Michelle could have been clearer but her message can be used to mean she was throwing shade on the RF or PH & MM depending on whose side of the argument you're on. Truth is, she probably loves all parties involved and doesn't want to pick sides. She ended with the hope of healing, forgiveness and that the situation would be a teachable moment for US all. A good balance.