What did Michelle Obama mean about Meghan & Harry Intervire

[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 ?

Agree with all the comments praising MO's diplomacy.

I wonder if the Obamas are secretly a bit cheesed off with the comparisons with Meghan and Harry.

The Obamas seemed to have a very warm relationship with the Queen so I don’t imagine she would say anything negative there.

I very much doubt she wants to get into a discussion on this topic at all but it’s unavoidable and she’s done very well not to upset anyone while still saying something.

@PercyPiginaWig

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.

I think we are actually on the same page .

I posted elsewhere that I think H&M are seriously out of their depth here from a PR perspective.

I don't think that interview (or more recent revelations up Gale King) have done them any favours whatsoever.

Yes, it's gained them sympathy in some quarters but I think eroded support in equal measure.

Their future plans (and financial independence) on producing content rely on a lot of people wanting to listen to what they have to say because they value its source (after of course the first few efforts that will gain viewing traction through curiosity to see if they have what it takes).

In other words the content not only needs to be good but it needs offer more than virtue signalling from people who act in contradiction to what they say.

For example producing a documentary on mental health (if this is something they choose to cover) when you've gone on record saying you were embarrassed and didn't know what to do when your wife was feeling suicidal doesn't come out the gate with much credibility.

Similarly, doing a interview that is very much all about "us" and being (truthfully/deservedly or not) very disparaging about family isn't exactly indicative of a goal to "spread compassion around the world" - especially from a million $ mansion whilst the world has gone to hell in a handcart.

They've got a fantastic opportunity to "do good" but time and again they seem so insular and invested in their own dramas they spectacularly misjudge the best way to leverage that.

I think Michelle Obama is a wonderful woman, and an incredible role model. I also think if she ran for President she would walk it , and be fantastic in the role.

I think this highlights the fact that the “problem” with MM is that she isn’t a diplomatic figure, and may well not be cut out for a life in public service, which would prove difficult as the wife of a royal. I do wonder if everyone assumed that because she was already in the public eye as an actress then she would be fine transitioning to public servant - when actually the roles are nothing alike, an actress gets to switch roles, switch the camera off etc etc, a royal has no such luxury, and no wonder she struggled with suddenly becoming a member of the RF she was probably completely unprepared for it.

@DeRigueurMortis we are indeed on the same page.

H&M just seem a bit oblivious to what's happening outside their bubble (not coronavirus bubble!). If their brand value plummets things will be difficult although some avid Diana fans will probably stand by Harry out of sychophantic loyalty.

In fairness Diana's good deeds seemed instinctive and I'm not sure Harry inherited that.

That is a clever, very lawyer-like statement. You can quite literally read is both ways.

I've not seen the interview - though I've read Michelle's remarks - but I didn't think it was touted as being about H&M?
Granted it could be read that way if someone chooses (and it wouldn't surprise me if the couple did), but either way I agree it was a brilliant piece of diplomacy

Which coming from Michelle is no surprise at all

the Queen and Prince Philip have always understood that when people are cheering and waving flags it was not for them personally,

I think that this goes to the heart of the matter HM and PP and Princess Anne in particular are very clear that the royal family show is not about them as people but of the position that they hold and the trick of fate/birth that got them there. That is something that MO also gets - she knows that her "fame" is hers because she was the wife of the first black President of the US and the wife of a highly respected man. That she has gone on to be a highly respected person in her own right is also significantly influenced by her knowing that it isn't all about her. MM of course has come from a background where the entire set revolves around the stars and everything is about them. The RF was bound to be a culture shock to her for a lot of reasons - Diana and Fergie for eg were brought up on the fringes of the RF and therefore much better aware of what they were getting into and look how they struggled.

IMO there are probably relatively few people in the world better placed to understand the role of being the first mixed race member of the RF for centuries than MO and the fact the she is effectively diplomatically not taking sides ought to be a jolly good lesson to all the rest of us.

@LoisWilkersonslastnerve

She is an intelligent woman and a skilled diplomat, it sounded like she was dismissive of the whole circus rather than blatantly critical of either M and H or the RF

Absolutely This is what I thought that she meant It wasn’t an anti Meghan / Harry stance as some posters wish it to be MIchelle Obama has always made it clear that she saw her role as First Lady to be one of public service. I think that she is implying that all parties should put their personal gripes aside and focus on their role which is one of public service. A diplomatic approach

I'm pretty sure Michelle can spot a narcissist when she sees one

If you remember MO from the first campaign trail, she was very open and vocal about issues. She got a lot of flack and was portrayed by the conservative media as opinionated, angry and uppity.

She had a hard time adjusting into the vanilla role that First Ladies have to play after having her own identity as a lawyer, but I think she eventually adapted.

In many ways, she had the support structure of being in her own country with friends and understanding cultural nuances, although there must have still been a lot of adjustment

She was seen by many on the right as too outspoken and critical, especially when she pointed out racism and inequality and how people feel disenfranchised.
For example, at some point she said something along the lines of ‘for the first time in my adult life I am proud of being American’ and lots was made of her allegedly ‘hating’ America and such rubbish

You can see some of the ridiculous insults and racist slant here
www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/11/16/22-times-michelle-obama-endured-rude-racist-sexist-or-plain-dumb-attacks/%3FoutputType%3Damp

I don't know why you would assume that MO will take MM's side? Because they are both black??
Complaining about the in laws on TV and making unsubstantiated allegations, as well as this made up rubbish about Archie not getting a title, and then expecting to be paid huge sums whilst turning their back on the source of that money, is all pretty low class. Can't see someone like MO supporting that. Just because both have experienced racism does not mean they agree on everything else.

Every woman in the public eye gets misogynistic abuse. Every black woman in the public eye gets both racist and mysoginist abuse. That alone does not unite them

And MO didn’t cower down and toe the line and play at being a ‘good little girl’. She stayed her strong self. She did service on her own terms and about things she was passionate about. As it should be. There is no reason why any woman should have to give her identity and personality simply to ‘serve’

Because they are both black??

They're not both "black". If you say that, you could also say her and the Queen are both white. MO is black. MM is biracial - both WHITE and black. Don't care or follow the stupid one drop rule which is racist and useless. Not even sure MM has ever called herself anything but what she is - mixed or biracial.

You don't suddenly become black because you experience racism, a mixed race woman can also experience racism.

[quote PercyPiginaWig]@DeRigueurMortis we are indeed on the same page.

H&M just seem a bit oblivious to what's happening outside their bubble (not coronavirus bubble!). If their brand value plummets things will be difficult although some avid Diana fans will probably stand by Harry out of sychophantic loyalty.

In fairness Diana's good deeds seemed instinctive and I'm not sure Harry inherited that.[/quote]
I'm an avid Diana fan and I also think Harry has behaved like an absolute twat.

@Puzzledandpissedoff

I've not seen the interview - though I've read Michelle's remarks - but I didn't think it was touted as being about H&M? Granted it could be read that way if someone chooses (and it wouldn't surprise me if the couple did), but either way I agree it was a brilliant piece of diplomacy

Which coming from Michelle is no surprise at all

It was part of an interview where she was specifically asked about her response to M's revelations.

There was an initial question where she made the comments about service and a follow up question about race, where she made the comment about it being unsurprising (but not directed towards the RF but about racism in general) but then went on to talk about the importance of family.

So yes it was about H&M but a very classy response where I don't think anyone can can feel offended or marginalised by what she said.

I'm an avid Diana fan and I also think Harry has behaved like an absolute twat.

Don't be afraid to say exactly what you think Dexra

Love Michelle. What a class act.

Basically saying okay, now crack on.

Michelle Obama is a highly intelligent beautiful person,she can obviously see right through Meghan Markle.I don’t think she was siding with her at all,quite the opposite in fact.

She won’t get drawn into the media circus.

I used to think Meghan Markle was clever and dangerous,I now realise she is neither.

@DeRigueurMortis

I'm an avid Diana fan and I also think Harry has behaved like an absolute twat.

Don't be afraid to say exactly what you think Dexra

Honestly I'm old enough to be Harry and William's mother. I think I would have had 'words' with both of them. People are supporting them from different political and ideological stances. I think they're both a bit spoilt and headstrong. This is a family tale of sibling jealousy.

@Mummyozzi no one else seems to have picked up on this from your OP, but why would Michelle Obama being a democrat have anything to do with her opinion

As pp have said, MO's answer was a masterclass in diplomacy. She's brilliant. I also loved how the British press lost their shit when she hugged the Queen