Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama famously told us, “When they go low, we go high.”
The quote is embedded in my brain. After our Forever First Lady profoundly said it at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, I saw the quote on tee shirts, mugs, baseball caps and dozens of memes. You did too. We all did. Even if we didn’t agree with the message then or now, it resonates. Because the truth is, if you live long enough, you are guaranteed to face the ignorance of someone who makes you want to leave your comfort zone, stoop to their level and get them all the way together. No, really. All. The. Way. Together.
The Obama Family: Former President Barack Obama, Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Mrs. Marian Robinson (May she continue to rest peacefully.) and heck, even their dog Bo faced an indescribable level of scrutiny, jealously and evilness since Barack announced he was running for the POTUS seat on February 10, 2007 at the Old State Capital in Springfield, Illinois. Everything from Michelle not wearing hosiery and opting for sleeveless dresses to the color selections of Barack’s attire (Remember the random drama over that tan suit?) were unjustly under attack nonstop.
Now here’s the thing: Regardless of what your political beliefs are, the ways that this family has been picked apart are nothing short of disgusting. We realize that not all Black folks are Obama fans nor are we all Democrats. However, recognizing their unfair treatment, treatment that is intentionally meant to hurt, tear down and destroy a human’s spirit and soul, treatment that no other President and first family have had to endure in the history of the United States of America, is way beyond party lines. It is about not having a sense of decency and a moral compass.
Treating people the way that The Obamas have been and are still being treated is excusable by some and even embraced by others because many people simply do not value Black love, Black family and Black life. Period. So, their very existence, the fact they are breathing, blinking and living their lives angers some people. It just does not fit into the curriculum they have been taught about Black people.
The fact that The Obamas appear to love each other (both Barack and Michelle but also their entire family). The fact that they have not shied away from admitting that they don’t always like each other; basically, they are a real couple experiencing the ebbs and flows of life. The fact that despite having access to the best nannies, tutors and au pairs that money can buy, Michelle wanted her Mama in The White House with her to help raise Malia and Sasha. Michelle knew there was priceless wisdom Mrs. Robinson could instill in her babies that she nor her husband could. The fact that Michelle, with two Ivy League degrees and an impressive law career, had people jumping Double Dutch on The White House lawn – all of this and so much more, it did and still does get some panties in a bunch.
When a certain person who I refuse to name posted a video online yesterday including a depiction of Mr. and Mrs. Obama as apes, The White House released the below statement.
“Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”
In other words: The Obamas don’t matter. Get over it.
Duly noted, Karoline Leavitt (White House press secretary who released said statement after a barrage of public and bipartisan outcry about the creutly of the video). Turns out all lives don’t matter, huh? Will you look at that.
An official later told CNN, “A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down.” By that time, the video had been up for nearly 12 hours.
Sometimes we they go low, we want to take off our earrings and grab some Vaseline. (If you know, you know.) Today however, the collective response across social media platforms and in real life to that deplorable video was basically, “This clown.” Let’s post the images of The Obamas that we love and watch Becoming on Netflix for the 28th time!
Because although it was embarrassingly low, even for him, we would all much rather spend our time celebrating the legacy of The Obamas and the class, dignity and intellect that they joyfully brought to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I mean, it is Black History Month. Save the clown acts for the circus.
Oh, we’re going to call out the bs. And it is going in save, for sure. But we would much prefer to drown out that tired ignorance with our unapologetic joy in spite of all of this (apparently our joy really seems to ruffle some feathers), as well as, the celebration of our brilliance, creativity, ingenuity and invaluable contributions to America and the entire world. Also, apes? Really? Isn’t that trope more than a century old now? Are racists running out of material? Good grief.
So, I invite you to continue amplifying the work of the abundance of our globally celebrated creatives, business leaders, athletes and other household names but also your Great Grandmama, homegirls, homeboys and cousins who have done extraordinary things with limited resources, support and acknowledgement. One of the best ways to go high when others go low is to do the very things that made them mad in the first place: Continue to lift each other up!
There is no debating necessary for us. Legacy, true legacy, will always drown out the noise of hate, jealously and ignorance. It will always outlive it too.
