Michelle Obama’s underrated role in gun debate
In a gun debate dominated by men, one person finally transcended it by speaking directly to black mothers
Topics: Michelle Obama, Black women, Guns, Gun Control, Chicago, Michael Bloomberg, Wayne LaPierre, Violence, Gun Violence, News, Politics News
Much has been made of the prominence of men like President Obama, Michael Bloomberg and Wayne LaPierre in the nation’s current debate on gun safety reform. But less attention has been placed on the singular and transformational role of Michelle Obama.
The first lady elevated the conversation Wednesday, during a rare return to her hometown of Chicago. In a city ravaged by violence, with more than 500 gun-related homicides last year alone, she spoke eloquently — and apolitically — transcending the partisan politics that seem to subvert her husband’s efforts for reasonable gun control legislation.
But what was most unique was for whom, and to whom, Michelle spoke. Her words gave voice to an oft ignored (but disproportionately affected) victim of America’s gun violence: the black mother.
The first lady spoke of Hadiya Pendleton, the slain 15-year-old student, gunned down just blocks from the Obama’s Chicago home — and only days after Pendleton had attended the president’s second inauguration. With tears in her eyes, Michelle said, “Hadiya Pendleton was me and I was her.” The first lady went on to add that Pendleton’s family is “just like” her own.
It was a display of empathy rarely seen from one so seemingly privileged. Yet for Michelle Obama it was the most natural thing to say. This is a daughter of the South Side — fully aware of her place in the world. Her tears appeared all the more heavy, because she could easily imagine Sasha and Malia walking down the same streets that Hadiya did.
And herein lies the real power of America having its first African-American president and first lady: They are us
When Trayvon Martin was killed last year President Obama was reticent to address it. The nation quickly became polarized as early reports of the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death suggested an all-too-common narrative of young black boys being suspected of crime — assumed guilty, before proven innocent. Yet this was different. A boy holding Skittles and iced tea being met with a fatal bullet wound to the chest resonated across racial lines. The president, speaking in the Rose Garden, sent an empathetic message to the parents saying, “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.”
Edward Wyckoff Williams is contributing editor at The Root. He is a columnist and political analyst, appearing on AlJazeera, MSNBC, ABC, CBS Washington and national syndicated radio. Follow him on Twitter . More Edward Wyckoff Williams.





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