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Donna Hammond still remembers very well the moment she heard the former first lady, Michelle Obama, recognize that she lived in the White House every morning in a "house built by slaves".
For Hammond, this statement was proof that Obama understood perfectly the dark history of the nation tied to slavery, as well as the long road to equality that led his family to the White House.
"America has often wanted us to bow and conform. Michelle has never forgotten her roots or where she's coming from, "said Hammond, 62, of Chatham, an enthusiast who works for the Trinity United Church of Christ, South Side Church. which went away Barack and Michelle Obama in 2008.
For example, when Michelle Obama arrives at the United Center on Tuesday to begin her book tour, Hammond hopes to be able to speak frankly about racism, sexism, the current rise of white supremacist movements in the United States, feminist politics, and she managed to remain optimistic even as she observed many advances in social justice attacked.
"I want to know how she felt at the White House, not as a maid, cook or janitor, but as a first lady," Hammond said. "I hope she'll take a look at what she's doing." really felt in those moments when she had to sit down and shut up. "
As Obama embarks on his reading tour in his hometown, the eyes and ears of the entire country will be focused on Chicago to hear what it has to say right now.
READ MORE: Oprah will interview Michelle Obama at United Center »
Will it stay true to its usual scenario of encouraging women to "get high" and "say nothing to enemies"? Or will Obama emerge with a stronger, more direct tone?
Now that she no longer has to worry about her husband's new election, will she speak openly about abandoning her career for – her man she hired and supervised? Will she talk about the criticisms and insults that she endured when he was in power? Will she discuss how her two daughters were examined?
And will she finally talk about how he felt about handing over the keys of the White House to a president who questioned her husband's citizenship and religious beliefs and offered money to consult his transcript at Harvard University College?
"Michelle Obama is remarkably disciplined. When she speaks in public, nothing escapes her, "said Peter Slevin, Michelle Obama's biographer and associate professor at Northwestern University. "When she was in the public eye, she sometimes felt that she was walking on a tightrope – she wanted to be precise and not to be misinterpreted.
"What we do not know is what she is ready to talk about during her reading tour," he said. "This is one of the mysteries we still have."
For Obama's supporters, the expectations regarding his appearance are great.
"I hope to hear her explain how our women are assuming their responsibilities and the power we have to truly change the world," said Rochelle Trotter, health and wellness advocate and philanthropist based in Gold. Coast.
"Michelle represents the new birth for me. Every time I hear something from her, it produces something in me, "said Trotter, 52. "I want to know what she thinks now that they are in post? What is burning in it?
Throughout her journey, Obama has recognized, through subtle mentions, that she deeply understands the complex intersections of race, sex, and class.
When her husband announced his presidential candidacy, she confided to "60 Minutes" that she feared for her safety. "As a black guy, you know, Barack can get shot before going to the gas station," she said.
Years later, in 2014, while she was pronouncing the eulogy at the funeral of the poet Maya Angelou, she admitted that brown girls like her were rarely considered a standard of the beauty. "I was struck by how (Angelou) celebrated the beauty of black women as no one had ever dared," she said.
She also recognized how difficult it was to assert women's rights and how fragile these rights were. "These freedoms we take for granted are not guaranteed in stone," she said on International Women's Day in 2016. "These rights have been guaranteed by long and hard battles by women. and men who marched, protested and expressed themselves. heard in courtrooms and boardrooms, in voting booths, and in congressional halls. "
In Chicago, she spoke about the disparities and inequities that mainly affect black and Latino children here. "Too many children in this city live within a few stops, sometimes even a few blocks away, from brilliant skyscrapers and green parks, to world-renowned museums and universities, but all of this could well unfold in a different state, even on another continent, "she said at a luncheon in 2013.
But Obama has rarely insisted publicly on how his family or loved ones were directly affected by these complications. In addition, she rarely mentioned how she was treated behind the scenes during her period in the spotlight.
Obama said writing her memoir was a challenge and that she had taken the time to think, Slevin said. This could indicate that she is ready to be more transparent about what she has seen, heard and experienced.
In the past, "she talked about moments when she felt isolated, isolated or focused," said Slevin. "I wonder how much she will share her feelings about what she has endured and what she is going to say about the current situation in this country, especially with the current president who has been so cruel to her husband."
READ MORE: Robin Roberts interview with Michelle Obama in Chicago and surprises in the new Obama memoirs »
If her book is an indication, she may be ready to be more sincere. According to a recent review of his book "Becoming," Obama breaks his silence in many areas – describing his pregnancy problems, soliciting marriage counseling, and exploring Chicago's issues related to gentrification, inequality. in education and race. She writes that she will never forgive Donald Trump's "strong and reckless overtones," which she says put her family at risk.
"The totality [birther] The thing was crazy and petty, of course, its underlying bigotry and xenophobia were barely hidden, "she wrote. "But it was also dangerous, deliberately meant to stir the wing nuts and nuts."
For many women, Obama represents the Everywoman. She was born in the modest neighborhood of the South Shore, the daughter of two working-class parents. Yet she studied at the Ivy League and excelled in her career despite a glass ceiling and other obstacles. She is also a wife and a mother who had to reconcile the family's duties and may be in contact with women trying to maintain order in their homes while occasionally calling on their husbands to bring them home. a home insecticide.
For African American women, Obama has a special affinity. She appeared as impeccable even when the Conservatives attacked her appearance and speech, and questioned her intentions. She managed to remain silent when she needed it and often projected optimistic and cheerful behavior.
During his tour, Obama is interviewed mainly by his closest friends and a group of hand-picked women whose politics are aligned with his. Some copies of his book have been made available in advance. Oprah Winfrey must interview Obama at the United Center.
Despite everything, before even saying a word, Obama managed to almost sell arenas across the country. People have paid between $ 29 and $ 2,500 to hear what they have to say at the United Center.
Melissa Washington, 49, from Bolingbrook, wants to hear Obama talk about political strategy and feminism.
"I think it's time to ask: … Now that we have women in power, in roles they have not been, what should be the collective agenda to move this country to a better place? If we focus on a combined program, we will see big changes, "she said.
"The reason I respect her position is that she always has a calm demeanor and a balanced outlook despite all the upheavals that are happening around her."
For a while, it seemed like Michelle Obama was on a break and was not interested in the current political climate, said Shari Williams, 34, of South Shore.
"I think we all underestimate how racist the country is and how deep the gap is. After crossing the White House and seeing where we are, she has a unique perspective, "she said.
But Simone Richardson said that she just wanted to be at the United Center to hear the reassuring words of the former first lady.
"The last two years have been terrible – whether it's locking up children in cages or the corruption revealed by the current government. … It looks like it's never going to stop, "said Richardson, 38, of North Kenwood. "I just need to hear a person who has been there, who has shown compassion for this country and I must be reassured that everything will be fine.
"I need to know that my two daughters will be fine."
The time has come for Obama to speak without filter, Hammond said. The first election is over and we know the gains and losses, as well as the challenges and obstacles that we have, she said.
"The size of the audience illustrates how much we love it," Hammond said. "I think a deeper conversation is going to take place. I will not be disappointed if she does not, but I hope everything has been mentioned. "
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