The Morning Conversations of Barack & Michelle Obama #13

A fictional account of the private morning conversations of Barack & Michelle Obama by Dexter Yarbrough. Number thirteen in a series.

Barack: Michelle, why are you crying?

Michelle: (crying)

Barack: Talk to me. What's wrong?

Michelle: I am just so tired of all the hatred. It is just so difficult being strong.

Barack: I know.

Michelle: I can't help reading the ugly things that "so-called Americans" say about me and you and us.

Barack: The plane incident, huh? The media makes it seem as though you were in danger. The planes were 3 miles apart. The FAA is investigating.

Michelle: Yes. I was with Jill Biden and several members of our staffs. We were doing an appearance in New York in support of military families.

Barack: Yes, I know.

Michelle: Why are these people saying we were out shopping? Why are they saying I was upset about being late? Why are they saying I was out campaigning for you? Why are they questioning my official duties as First Lady?

Barack: There will always be evil, nasty people that don't like us.

Michelle: I can understand that some Americans don't like the policies or direction you have for the country. But a lot of this is pure prejudice, Barack. A dog can shit in a bed of roses, but the stench will still come through.

Barack: Yes.

Michelle: I know you tell me not to, but I can't help reading some of the nasty comments after the articles about you or me or both of us. And that woman from California that sent that awful picture around comparing you to a monkey. Barack, this is so hard to deal with.

Barack: Yes. This does transcend politics. It still amazes me how after all the blood and death, we as Americans are still fighting with other Americans for the simple human right to be treated respectfully as...humans.

Michelle: We have young girls, Barack. Beautiful, innocent young girls. Remarks like 'niglets' are made about them. I still just don't see how people can be so hateful. I mean the remarks about you being a Muslim and the 'birther' stuff, I chalk that up to politics. But hating me because I am black...

Barack: One thing we have to remember is that there are so many more people that do respect us. They may not agree with me. But they don't hate our skin color.

Michelle: Some people are just so blinded and in denial about their prejudicy, Barack.

Barack: When I was growing up, I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and from different cultures. I had to deal with having a black father and white mother - during a time when it was still somewhat socially unacceptable, especially in America. It was extremely difficult, especially when my parents split and my father died.

Michelle: I am sure.

Barack: I don't have any solutions to stop people from hating the way they do. As a black man, if I do something right - I didn't do it well enough. If I make a mistake - my intelligence is compared to that of an ape. I try and keep the faith.

Michelle: Yes.

Barack: Michelle, we have to keep our heads up and keep representing this nation as best we can during it's difficult times.

Michelle: OK.

Barack: And remember the lesson from your favorite TV show, 'All in the Family.'

Michelle: I was watching it just before you came in. Archie Bunker was discussing race relations with Lionel Jefferson.

Barack: Even though he was a character and that character started out as a foul-mouthed racist, at the end of that show, he had a Jewish niece, a black lady friend that helped him in his home after Edith died and he had his family, neighbors and experiences to help him change his thoughts and behavior. Archie Bunker came a long way and I can only hope that those like him will be changed by others and through some life-altering experience.

Michelle: (wiping tears away)

Barack: I love you and know that we will get through this - you and I. And this nation.

Stay Tuned for More 'Morning Conversations...' with Barack & Michelle Obama, next time!

Copyright 2011 - Dexter Yarbrough