Thank you, as usual, Philip Galanes.
5
Not sure what Ms. Ross is doing in this piece. Other then being a dilettante and child of privilege, she is most (in) famous for agreeing to be in an episode/ infomercial of blackish sponsored/scripted by a Novo-Nordisk. Honestly surprised that the Michelle Obama would agree sit down with her at all
7
This was a fabulous, post-Thanksgiving gift. I loved this interview article. So real and relate-able. Thanks for the fresh air!
10
She’s that wonderful mix of whipsmart, ability, wisdom, strength, percipience, wit, humor, grace, humility, integrity (which she has in spades!) Most importantly, she’s the real deal. She walks her talk, doesn’t suffer fools, and is as authentic as they come. In the face of the most vicious and vilest of attacks (attacks which continue to this day by the way), she earned my complete and unabashed respect. Unrelentingly put through the wringer for 8 years, she’s consistently acquitted herself well.
Michelle Obama is my litmus test - and what anyone thinks of her, how they treat her, how they react to her, tells me all I need to know about *them*, not her.
As far as I’m concerned, if you don’t like Michelle Obama, I don’t like you. It’s as simple as that.
20
Why pay any attention to a woman who said, ""For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country..." Then, of course, came the Obama debacle.
Amazing quote-education gives women options and leverage to exit abusive situations. Thanks Michelle!
12
Michelle Obama is so real!
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AT least from your headline it is reads like Michelle did not learn the lesson taught by her husband.
Don't pay identity politics.
It should have read the power of stories including those of women.
Michelle's husband taught us the lessen and served two terms.
Hillary completely ignored it and was cast on the dust pile of history by the electoral college.
People including women hate identity politics.
Just ask the majority of them that voted for Trump.
2
@Paul - Funny that you actually want us to believe that you believe that it was a loathing of ‘identity politics’ that caused the 52% of white women voters to vote for Trump. Nothing to do with their own prioritized ‘identity politics’ - white supremacy, racism, xenophobia, greed - And a lack of humanity that prioritized tax cuts for them and their husbands and families, over paying their fair share to fund necessary infrastructure and other basic national programs that all civilized nations have invested in as a matter of fact.
If you’d actually bothered to read the article/interview, you’d have found that the conversation was less about women, and more expansive in its breadth, including on the topics, issues and demographics discussed.
14
@Paul
You mean,the majority of white women because black women voted for HRC who by the way isn't on a dust pile.
But maybe you should answer Tracee's question: Why are you so afraid of women's experiences and voices?
10
@Chi-Eg-Thank you for your reply. Like my reply to you like Coco below, the headline killed it for me, Identity politics.
The reason 52% of white women and a a a majority of the electoral college voted for Trump were varied.
10% of Americans are racist, anti women, bigots, anti semites etc. A certain majority of people will always vote republican if Donald Duck was nominated.
However where HRC lost the election were the keys issues of national health care, trade agreements, immigration worries, wall street running wild, never meeting a war she did not like.
Instead of addressing these issues that Trump demagogued, she concentrated on female, identity obsessed issues, ie since I am women and put in my dues, I deserve 50% of everything a man gets whether I deserve it or not or even want it and shall be anointed President.
Learn from history Chi-Eg, Obama learned it, ie ran as an American and not as a Black and served two terms and as I mentioned HRC did not learn the lesson and was regulated to the trash heap of history.
1
Mrs Obama is always so profound! Clearly articulating pertinent truths in such a way that everyone understands. I’ve always greatly admired and respected her, and find her incredibly percipient and captivating. It’s no surprise she’s drawing arena-sized crowds on her book tour. She’s as fascinating as she’s honest, humble and all-embracing.
It’s quite something that the usual suspects, those who’ve baselessly and endlessly maligned and viciously dehumanized her for 10 years and counting, are the same people now envious and fuming that she’s popular and remains beloved in spite of their years of coordinated attacks on her.
They begrudge her writing & promoting her memoir, a rite of passage for all modern presidents and First Ladies. Her predecessors have been richly rewarded for their books post-presidency, but now it’s suddenly a problem because she and her memoir are in such demand.
And even as the current WH brazenly tramples the emolument clause!
She’s had to earn her every stripe. She had to be conscientious about not tripping up, or allowing herself to be tripped up. And for 8 years, she never whined or played victim. Nor was she coddled, excused or given the benefit of the doubt.
She’s put up with and sacrificed much; and no amount of post-presidency earnings will ever make up for what she suffered through & continues to be up against. I hope she and hubby make a ton of money; They’ve not only earned it, but I also know they’ll use it to do a lot of good.
29
Yesterday, i gave thanks for my family and friends. Today, i give thanks for Michelle Obama and Tracee Ellis Ross. What a delightful conversation between these powerhouse women.
12
I adore Mrs Obama.
And as far as my family, friends and I are concerned, she’s the unsung hero in what is an important and historic journey. Not just for the United States, but the world.
26
I am almost finished reading Mrs. Obama's book and I highly recommend Becoming. In my opinion she has accomplished bringing this country together better than anyone. In her journey to/as FOTUS she travelled the country and discovered with others that we are more alike than different. She is also a great proponent of women and girls, a real champion not just in the White House, but continuing with her non profit organization. History will determine Michele Obama as one of the most influential First Ladies. Thank you Mrs. Obama for your contributions to this country.
24
I hope Melania Trump will one day have the fortitude to apologize to the Obamas for her birtherism. What a shameful episode in our country's history that was. Seeing that link about the White House being shot at while the Obamas were living there... What a disgrace that Mr Trump now occupies the office of president. What a disgrace.
55
Dear god I miss her. And him.
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Michelle Obama is a powerhouse and outstanding humanitarian.
I am also immensely grateful to have learned that Tracee Ellis Ross, a woman I have admired up until now only as a fan of "black-ish," is a strong voice for single woman, and women who have chosen not to become mothers, for this is a demographic in this country that is still, unbelievably, stigmatized by men and women alike as somehow inadequate in ways their male counterparts never are.
If women are to be truly equal, and truly free to pursue whatever path and passion they choose on a par with men, this too is another barrier to be knocked down once and for all.
35
Two great role models, one the daughter of a legendary since in Ms. Tracee Ellis Ross (daughter of Diana Ross), and Michelle Obama, who was inspired by her own Mother (and Father as well, not to forget him.)
Love the article.
20
“...friends and family urged her to jump from her well-paid perch (in a law firm ) into the public sector.” Mrs. Obama, whom I greatly admire, was making close to $300,000 at the university hospital in 2006, which constitutes well paid by most Americans’ standards. And I say more power to her.
8
@Sandra She got that very vaguely defined job when her husband became a more powerdul political player. It's called graft. It's also called The Chicago Way. It's disgraceful, not admirable, doubly so because it is the sort of administrative money holes that result in the health-care costs we struggle with today.
Perhaps the Times reporter could have asked her a real question about how she got that job instead of pandering.
1
She--Michelle Obama--is SUCH an inspiration!!! Dropping important truths, doing crucial work and always, ALWAYS, conducting herself with dignity, class, brilliance and humor.
I can't wait to read her book.
48
Great interview! I also listened to Michelle when she was on the Ellen show. I ran out and bought the book that day. Beautiful book by a smart woman. She is sensible, inspiring and has a sense of humor. We love her and we all miss the her!
28
This is so wonderful, so poignant and also so hilarious. Great job, Philip Galanes !!
14
I think Michelle Obama is an incredibly strong and inspirational woman, but come on Philip Galanes. You give the impression that she stepped away from high-salary legal work to do less lucrative public advocacy. In fact, she went to a hospital system and was earning almost $300,000 in salary before her husband ran for president, as well as other income that boosted their household income to almost a $1 million. She was the big earner, not her husband. Hooray for her. Philip Galanes, it is ok for women to earn big money.
16
@Sandra
When Mrs.Obama stepped away from her $120k salary as a corporate lawyer, her next position paid $60k. She had to restart her career from the bottom rung. After years of working and juggling being a working mother, she ended up as hospital administration with many people working for her and earning that $300k salary. Yes hooray for her for her successes.
20
@Becky You are not accurate, and the jobs she took were all of the set-aside, hand-washing political plum type. Also, it might be noted that the Obamas took a great deal of money from his grandmother to buy a veritable mansion and then smeared her repeatedly on the campaign trail while crying poor.
Just another pair of Clintons, socking away cash while crassly denouncing others.
1
Thanks so much for the role modeling --May everyone take heart from it and keep on fighting the good fight.
30
I read this interview/conversation, and was filled with hope and optimism. Soemthing I haven’t felt from the public sphere in a long time.
Brava, ladies!
46
A fabulous interview! Wonderful to hear Mrs. Obama's and Ms. Ross' voice ring true, in this piece. Honest, insightful, thoughtful, and optimistic. Thank you !
40
Love Michelle Obama!
73
I really enjoyed this. It is so interesting to hear about Ms. Obama’s experience. When I really think about it, I can understand how unique and historic her position was and is. My only criticism of the article is that Ms. Ross’ voice should have been heard and written about more. If it’s truly a table of three, why not include her more and include some dialogue between the two women?
26
This was truly a 'Table for Three' that was a table for three people and everyone else. More than any other column, this reached a level of seriousness and intimacy with two strong and secure women that provided great insight due to their willingness to be so honest. Thank you.
31
Fall, maybe early winter in 2007, I'm clicking through the channels. Despite a lousy connect, I stop when I see a dynamic, funny, wicked smart women crisscross a stage. I stop to listen and sit straight up. It's Michelle talking about her husband. My thought was any man who had be chosen by this woman as was my kinda guy.
61
Michelle always nails it. Her answers are so concise and real. I could listen to her talk for hours. In fact, when I have to give a speech or have an important job interview, I always watch a Michelle speech on Youtube first to give me strength.
I can't wait to read her book.
47
Wonderful interview - What they have to say is so important. I love both these ladies!
25
"But one of the blind spots of patriarchy and privilege is that it doesn’t see how we use different standards of worthiness when we’re looking at black people or women."
Yes, and it's deliberate blindness.
56
The power of women's stories is that we haven't heard enough of them. There are so many women to learn from; I want to hear what they have to say and how they say it! I mean, you can only read William Faulkner, James Joyce, and Richard Wright so many times!
23
She's great, and would have been a huge success regardless of whom she married. But the sad fact is that no would be talking about her if she hadn't happened to marry a future president. This is still about the power of women's...marriages. We haven't come a long way, baby.
15
I just love these two! (Three, including Phil)! Can we just have this kind of conversation be a regular feature; where two powerful women are having a curated dialog and talking about what it means to be a woman right now? Please. I'd collect them all.
28
I know that to some people Mrs. Obama's revelation that she had a miscarriage may not sound like a big deal, but I started to cry when I read that she'd spoken about that in her book (which I can't wait to read). I felt so alone when I had a miscarriage (unfortunately more than one) - like I had failed, like there was something wrong with me - but I realize now, years later, that SO MANY women have had similar experiences. I wish I had known that then, and I wish I had felt better about talking about it. I underestimated how comforted I could feel in hearing a powerful and confident person talk about something I experienced. I think Michelle Obama is an inspiration on many many levels. I miss her.
41
Just another article that reminds me of how much truly I miss our former First Lady.
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