Michelle Obama at the all girls language school in London- anyone see it on the news?

[QuantitativeMeasure]

Blimey- what an inspiring woman. She almost moved me to tears.

How wonderful to have th Presidents wife visit your school and show a genuine interest in you.

I thought she was fantatic, a great inspiration to young girls.

(will try and find a link)

Fantastic speech it was v. moving. A few of my friends went to EGA and left without any quals it certainly wasn't an outstanding school then. glad she chose a normal school rather than a 'rich kid' one.

I am very hormonal at the moment. I may put a copy of that on my tutor group notice board. Very simple but very moving. It has inspired me as a mother.

I reckon I am just a cynical old git. Or maybe a realistic. And just to prove it, I think she hugged the girls out of relief that her first major speech was over - she did seem incredibly nervous and when I have been as relieved as hell that something daunting is over I would do anything and will happily act far more lovey to people than I normally would. And I know a vicar (female - are they called vicars?) who appears very earth motherish and really warm and caring to the public - but Ive seen her biting the head off children at parties and she is actually quite cold really in general day to day life. Some people are very good actors - its almost natural!. But I accept that I am just cynical and there are actually some very very nice people out there who are genuinely very caring of complete strangers/the world/everybody. Ive just never met one!

Frog - I'm Mrs Cynical from Cynic Town but, in this case, I think it's genuine.

She's actually a very experienced public speaker and this wasn't her first major speech.

Of course the speech would have been written for her. Council Estates are known as 'the projects' in America - but the delivery was heartfelt.

I think a lot of young black girls will have watched that (and been there) and thought that finally somebody is batting for their team.

I think it is a bit weird that the first lady speaks in this capacity.

She has been asked as a speaker for the reason that she is married to the president so what platform does she really have?

Why not get a famous black female lawyer to talk to girls? Someone who is primarily famous for what they have done themselves and not for who they are married to.

Podrick - she IS a famous black female lawyer!

I like Michelle too, she has very warm body language which is difficult to fake. It's easier to fake words than body language. She has no 'airs' about her so can mix well with all ages, backgrounds, etc.

oh I thought she was marvellous. Marvellous.

also, I was listening to the radio (bbc london) on the way to work and they had a very interesting call from a teacher who was talking about how a lot of girls in her class, their role models all seem to be based on 'people who have got everything' in a materialistic way. She said people see that they can buy stuff and get credit (maybe not so much any more ) and win a reality show and 'get a life' and how teenagers of today SO lack the traditional 'I worked bloody hard and hard work got me here and I'm proud of that and I have a vision' and that's where I think Michelle Obama fits in (and she said similar in her speech).

I think it's great that she went to visit the school. Good on her to be honest. Am sure there were plenty of other things she could have been doing that wouldn't have been half as stressful (or as inspirational!).

Well I think Michelle Obama is the most wonderful person in the world at the moment. As a black woman growing up in the UK in the 70s, the only time black people were represented in the media was if they were criminals or good at sports. Things have thankfully changed a little since the 70s but there is still a long way to go. When cosmetic houses start using dark skinned black women like Naomi Campbell to promote cosmetics, then I will believe that we are moving forward.

I don't know any black man or woman who is not inspired by the Obamas. Those who say that it is misleading to use them as role models because not every body can achieve what they have are really closed minded and missing the point. The point is that they are living, breathing testimony to what one can achieve despite ones unprivileged start in life. Don't forget, it was only 50 years ago when black people could not sit in the same cafe as a white person in the Deep South!

Everybody can achieve something according to their personal attributes and talent if they are prepared to put in the hard work and commitment that it needs. If you want to be a diligent plumber or a creative hairdresser or even a honest banker, you can do it. You just need to have the motivation, belief and support (emotional, familial as well as educational support) to do it.

Black girls and boys in Britain will look at the Obamas and think that one day, it is possible that they could be a British Prime Minister.

The Obamas represent possibility. Anybody who can't see that is a fool, imo.

I think they are just beyond cool. Can you imagine Gordon Brown doing this?

If you want to see cool, check out Barack here and Michelle here(0.21-1.20s)

They are the coolest couple in the world!

Oh my!

It made me a bit teary. Those girls - how wonderful for them to be told they are 'prescious jewels'. In a society where young, poor, working class, black women are seen as single mothers, dole fodder or hookers.

I wish my DD couldve seen it.

Does everyone dance when they go on Ellen??

Frogwatcher (careful not to confuse you with frogs) I suppose that going to EGA must rate as more daunting than addressing (with resounding success btw) the Democrats' national convention last year!

is the president going on ellen and dancing really that cool? i was a huge supporter of obama during the election, but seeing all this stuff makes me wonder if he is more style than substance? cool might be good to watch but as president of a superpower doesnt he have better things to do

nancy75

Obama went on Ellen before he was elected. Also, I think you need to stop being so serious and dull. Why on earth can't people like the President have some chill out time?

I think it makes them both seem more approachable, likeable and human. Which is more than can be said for most British politicians.

Yeah, can you imagine stiffs like Brown or Cameron with their spouses letting loose like that?

I agree with Spokeette. A great rolemodel. My kids are mixed race and DS was a little bored with the whole BO thing at his school. The school put a lot of effort into promoting him and his triumph the first black president ect. When I explained to DS that BO's Mum was white like me and his Dad was black like his Dad his face lit up and suddenly he was impressed. DS has had anti mixed race commnents from some of his peers at school and to me here was a perfect opportunity to highlight something he could relate to. BO can reach so many people.

Dh is mixed race, and just watching his face when seeing BO on the news during the G20 summit and the visit to the Queen was a real eye opener to me. DH was in complete awe, open mouthed, amazed that in his life time, he would see a black/mixed race man in such a position of incredible power.

I was felt really touched with MO speech, what a contrast to the egotistic Cherie Blair.

I wish the G20 was a dance off competition

My DH keeps being told how much he looks like barack obama!!!!!