Demystifying Black Themes

Toni Morrison, the Nobel laureate in literature in 1993, followed in the footsteps of James Baldwin, igniting a flame that raises concerns about the atrocities that black Africans experienced. The selling of Africans as commodities, both literally and intellectually by imperialists, was a brutal and inhumane act that human history has ever witnessed. This is why Morrison was more focused on the subject of black history. Michelle Obama, who carries her black heritage, has written a book entitled "The Light We Carry". It is a combination of the journey she has made so far, focusing on family values, the circle of friends she has made, and the struggles she faced in making Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States of America.

Michelle's parents, with little savings, strive to provide their children with a good education in Southern Chicago. They make every effort to raise the educational standards of their children, Michelle and Craig. 

More than just education, they give their children the freedom to make their own independent decisions. Knowing the values and struggles of the family from the beginning led the children to be more oriented towards their passions and dreams in reaching the pinnacle of success despite facing numerous obstacles. 

The family values and traits that Michelle's mother and father implanted have become the guiding principles for Michelle Obama, even today, as she follows parallel strategies when dealing with her own daughters, Sasha and Malia, as well as making decisions in her own life.

I would call this book her sequel to "Becoming" as both books cover family values, circle of friends, and her career journey thus far. "Becoming" focuses more on Michelle Obama's upbringing and the ways in which she had to stand out among her peers and colleagues, such as during her high school days. This acquaintance would pay off in her future academic pursuits. 

Craig, her brother, despite having acquired the highest form of skill in basketball, was equally good in academics and was successful in getting admitted to Princeton, one of the world's most prestigious institutions. The admission he received at Princeton also inspired Michelle to vie for the same university, as candidly expressed in "Becoming," stating that the choice of Craig would become her choice in many respects (60-65).

Michelle's family values, which prioritize providing quality education and life lessons, have helped her stay calm during turbulent and tranquil times, including when her husband, Barack, decided to run for president. 

At first, Michelle rejected the idea, but later realized the gravity of the position and supported Barack's campaign by creating impressive notes and managing finances.

In her latest book, "The Light We Carry," Michelle chronicles her family's journey. She highlights her father's positive attitude despite battling an unknown disease, her mother's calm upbringing of their children, and the difficult decision to allow Barack to run for president. 

While some anecdotes may seem similar to those in her previous book, "Becoming," they are interconnected in showcasing familial values, academic and career paths. However, the family's strong fascination with the English royal family seems odd given their background. While it's understandable to harbor fondness for the royals, it's callous to ignore the fact that the same royal family brutalized the ancestors of Barack and Michelle. 

This is why author Ta-Nehisi Coates criticized Barack Obama in his book "We Were Eight Years in Power" for being whiter than white presidents. Michelle and Barack have not shown much support for the "Black Lives Matter" movement following the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Pamela Turner, Rekia Boyd, and George Floyd. Instead, they have focused on charitable activities favored by many whites.

These books fail to portray the sheer brutality faced by black people worldwide or discuss the path to achieving equality for all races in the context of the problems highlighted by writers like James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. These writers have documented how black people have been denigrated and subdued to the lowest position, a reality that the Obama couple publicly acknowledges and reveres. Despite being aware of the struggles faced by black communities both domestically and internationally, Michelle Obama fails to showcase them in her books.

The subjects she chooses focus on self-aggrandizement, with little attention given to the inequality and injustice constantly faced by black people. She pays lip service to the history of racial segregation and disparity. To show support for the oppressed and unrecognized, she reveals that she did not conform to the ritualistic bag-carrying tradition (265) on the inauguration day of the president. However, she can be applauded for promoting underrated figures like our own Prabal Gurung, a global icon in fashion design.

For those seeking justice, what is essential is not how the White House was decorated when Michelle Obama was the First Lady, but how she helped bridge the gap between whites and blacks through the amendment of bills and subsequent endorsement by the Senate.

One of the motivating factors that one can spot in these books is that Michelle Obama was determined to achieve her goals, and this kind of ambition requires hard work, perseverance, and calmness. The fact that her father, despite being confined at home due to his illness, attended the basketball matches that Craig was associated with to see his performance and give him motivation, speaks to the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between fathers and children, especially when such relationships are falling apart.

The values of mutual support, adherence to goals, hard work, patience, and discipline in life are critical to anyone seeking prosperity. Those seeking a sneak peek into the life trajectory required to make things happen on their part may find both of Michelle Obama's books intriguing and insightful.

(Chand is an independent researcher and freelancer)