Michelle Obama says her years as First Lady were marked by exceptional public scrutiny and pressure—not just politically, but racially and culturally. In her new book, she describes enduring a “white-hot glare” during her tenure at the White House and claims she and her husband did not receive the same “grace” often extended to previous first families.
She explains that as the first Black couple in the White House, they felt every misstep could be magnified. Because of her role as a Black woman, she saw her fashion choices and public appearances as “soft power” tools: ways to communicate symbols of culture, identity and values beyond mere words.
While she once hesitated to talk about her wardrobe—believing her work should be the focus—she now embraces discussing how the way she showed up mattered. She writes that she often thought of the mothers and grandmothers in her community who would “shake their head” if she didn’t appear ready, visible, and dignified.
Reflecting on her current stage in life, Obama remarks that there is a new freedom in this decade of her life—her daughters are grown, her husband’s chapter is closed, and she feels confident enough to say she “knows a few things.” She suggests that in her 60s she is embracing her voice in a way she didn’t as First Lady.
