The Obamas: How We Deal with Our Own Racist Experiences

People Magazine ^ | 12/17/2014 | Sandra Sobieraj Westfall

[HomerBohn]

The Obamas open up about raising their daughters, the impact of stereotypes, and what's on the POTUS dance party playlist. Subscribe now for instant access to the exclusive PEOPLE interview!

-snip-

"I think people forget that we've lived in the White House for six years," the first lady told PEOPLE, laughing wryly, along with her husband, at the assumption that the first family has been largely insulated from coming face-to-face with racism.

"Before that, Barack Obama was a black man that lived on the South Side of Chicago, who had his share of troubles catching cabs," Mrs. Obama said in the Dec. 10 interview appearing in the new issue of PEOPLE.

"I tell this story – I mean, even as the first lady – during that wonderfully publicized trip I took to Target, not highly disguised, the only person who came up to me in the store was a woman who asked me to help her take something off a shelf. Because she didn't see me as the first lady, she saw me as someone who could help her. Those kinds of things happen in life. So it isn't anything new."

In a 30-minute conversation, the president and Mrs. Obama candidly added their stories to the national discussion of race and racial profiling that was sparked by the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York.

"There's no black male my age, who's a professional, who hasn't come out of a restaurant and is waiting for their car and somebody didn't hand them their car keys," said the president, adding that, yes, it had happened to him.

Mrs. Obama recalled another incident: "He was wearing a tuxedo at a black-tie dinner, and somebody asked him to get coffee."

[beelzepug]

“...Barack Obama was a black man...who had his share of troubles catching cabs.”

I wouldn’t have stopped for him, either. That guy always expects a free ride.

[Our man in washington]

I went to a bookstore from church so I was wearing a white shirt and tie and was mistaken for help. I said “I’m sorry, I don’t work here, but the information desk is over there.” Somehow, this didn’t traumatize me for life.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

There’s no black male my age, who’s a professional, who hasn’t come out of a restaurant and is waiting for their car and somebody didn’t hand them their car keys,” said the president, adding that, yes, it had happened to him.

LMAO! At least you were not mistaken for a President!

[Tzfat]

Mr. and Mrs. Obama, or whatever your name is... You would NOT be the current residents of the White House if you were not black.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

Baraq was mistaken as a valet. Moochelle was asked to take something off a shelf at Walmart. Finally, they have been asked to do jobs for which they are qualified.

---

I have been asked on a couple of occasions by little old ladies to help them get thing off a shelf or where to find something in the local grocery store. One time when I told her I didn't work there she said she knew that but I looked nice and helpful. I took that as a compliment. How do you get to be president if you can't shrug things off.

[Pelham]

Baraq was mistaken as a valet President.

[HomerBohn]

You would NOT be the current residents of the White House if you were not black.

...and if your presence there in the disgraced White Hut was not as a result of a two-party system that needs serious competition.

[HomerBohn]

... take out the trash...

If only the 'trash' from 1600 could be moved out to the curb!

[MrB]

I read the title, and the thought that came to my mind was

how do they deal with their own raciSM experience?

[HomerBohn]

Before that, Barack Obama was a black man that lived on the South Side of Chicago...

And before that he was a poor foundling negro baby that was taken in by some crackers in Georgia and raised as their own. He was known as the 'Jerk.'

[HomerBohn]

I went to a visitation in a funeral parlor dressed in a suit and tie and was mistaken for the mortician-funeral director.

I gave them a tour of the mortuary.

I would do the same for the Obama duo.

[Ezekiel]

"There's no black male my age, who's a professional, who hasn't come out of a restaurant and is waiting for their car and somebody didn't hand them their car keys," said the president

See, it's okay if Obama stereotypes professional car jackers. Just don't *you* do it.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

(from comments)

>>She told David Letterman:

“No one knew that was me. Because a woman actually walked up to me, right? I was in the detergent aisle, and she said — I kid you not — she said, ‘Excuse me, I just have to ask you something.’ And I thought, ‘Oh, cover’s blown.’ She said, ‘Can you reach on that shelf and hand me the detergent?’ I kid you not. And the only thing she said — I reached up, because she was short, and I reached up, pulled it down. She said, ‘Well, you didn’t have to make it look so easy.’

That was my interaction. I felt so good.”

[MeshugeMikey]

I’m betting that Obie Fantasizes about being a Car jacker when he grows up.

[Ezekiel]

I’m betting that Obie Fantasizes about being a Car jacker when he grows up.

???

[MeshugeMikey]

A rare event.....

a rare look at the PRIVATE lives of the Obies

[MeshugeMikey]

ahahaha he and michelle engage in all manner of fantasies...in told.

http://i.imgur.com/Z9kMj5M.jpg

[Ezekiel]

Haha. When I saw the original at the top of the page it reminded me of

[MeshugeMikey]

yes obie ...ME....i mean YOU!

[MeshugeMikey]

they really are a manufactured item///