I don’t dream much lately. Or rather I don’t remember my dreams. Maybe it’s because I’ve been so feverishly sick for the past week or so. Or maybe it’s just because Michelle’s speech last night hit me in all the right places. But I had a dream about her last night or a dream about me with her in it. The details are not important. It was a direct result of listening to her talk about her husband last night. Because I felt so much love and honesty, that’s what I felt reflected back in my simple dream.
Listening to Michelle talk about how much she loves her husband really did something for my heart to hear. I’m not a person who has ever been into politics but I do consider myself to be somebody who can detect the element of performance in most political speeches. Naturally Michelle has the advantage of not being a presidential candidate behind her. Yet still, she could try to sell us just as much as anyone else. Clinton was great at performing in his speeches. You knew you were going to end up with a bridge to nowhere but his charming delivery and cadence were very effective even if he was rarely ever honest. It’s like when you watch a comedian do a really funny bit for the first time and then you see them do it over and over again on late night talk shows as if it was the first time every time. At some point you get it. They’re either good at it or they’re not but ultimately it’s a performance.
Well Michelle sold me. And I daresay she hardly seemed to be putting on a show last night at least not by my estimation. She seemed to be doing a job, which she believes in 100% and her public speaking abilities have always been top notch. She was at the top of her game last night. Maybe it’s because I’m a woman. Maybe it’s because I’m a black woman. Maybe it’s because I’m a black woman who loves a black man. If that’s the case than I hope all black women were as moved by her love and dedication, pride, determination and trust as I was.
I can’t even say with complete confidence that I believe in Barack as much as I do in Michelle. I’m just being honest. His hands are tied somewhat due to the same prejudicial factors that have shaped racism since the first slave boat touched these shores. However if Michelle were in the running for President I would go out campaigning from door to door! This country is hardly ready for that yet which is part of a major problem this country has with black women in general and which I can’t begin to go into here. However if this is the role we find Michelle in at this time in history, I WILL TAKE IT! Because she just brings it so hard! She is affecting history every day with every positive thing she does and says. She is strong and graceful and smart and beautiful and brave and no nonsense. She loves her husband and her family the way so many women all over the world do but her experience reflects these important values in a way this country has tried so hard for hundreds of years never to let the world see. They have been fearful and hateful and envious of black people loving other black people, and of black people being proud of other black people. Well, the cat’s out of the bag. And who better to reveal what we have known for countless years?
That’s why Michelle showed up in my dream, very simply, very regally and yet down to earth, very nurturing and full of confidence, humor and intelligence. I don’t believe in politicians but I believe in her. And that may be enough.
