Michelle Obama, the wife of former President Barack Obama, made headlines recently due to her determined stance on self-focus. Her presence or, better said, lack thereof at important events including President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Trump’s inauguration raised eyebrows. The rationale in her own words – her need to prioritize personal time above social protocol.
While probing further into her conspicuous absence during Trump’s inauguration, she cited curious reasons. Her lack of preparation in terms of wardrobe was one of them. ‘I had no intention to go through the ceremony, therefore preparing an attire didn’t make sense to me,’ she remarked during a recent talk show.
Michelle mentions taking this stand as a personal decision, rather than trying to comply with what is conventionally right. This pattern can be noted from her lone appearances without her husband at significant functions, leading to a truckload of critique. She’s frequently under criticism for this, but such opinions have never deterred her.
In response to the barrage of invitations and opportunities that come her way, Mrs. Obama has supposedly learnt to counsel herself to decline. Shunning opportunities that thrust her previous First Lady responsibilities to the forefront while side-lining her personal wants has now become her approach.
Her tenure during the Obama presidency saw her at the helm of multiple initiatives. From promoting American fashion to combating sedentary lifestyle among children, she was involved in many arenas. Even advocating for multi-generational households, managing to house her mother while staying at the White House showcased her role beyond being just a First Lady.
Even after leaving the White House, the Obama family remained in the limelight with Netflix and Penguin Random House deals and from their sought-after speaking gigs. But while the world saw them enjoying continued influence and success, Michelle Obama seemed to struggle with the constant public scrutiny that intruded into her personal life.
Public criticism tends to overstep boundaries speculating about the couple’s private life based on their separate public commitments. Michelle has discredited these notions outright, maintaining that she’s merely pursuing her personal interests.
She has also opened up about the relentless pressure to fit into the shoes of her role related to Barack’s political career. Claiming this to be the real reason behind her current prominence and public admiration seems to be a reluctant admission of her limited individual identity.
While the former First Lady centers all her actions entirely around personal interests, in contrast, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris eagerly jump to comply with social norms. Sometimes it seems as if they are more intent on making a public appearance than working on productive commitments.
Strikingly, many even believe that these two are involved in simply playing to the crowd. In contrast, Michelle Obama is determined to stand her ground for better or worse, not involve herself in gatherings where she isn’t interested, simply for the sake of protocol.
Nevertheless, critics question Obama’s withdrawal from public functions and invitations. In particular, her absence from President Trump’s inauguration and President Carter’s funeral were thoroughly debated. The refusal to meet social norms in such cases has, unsurprisingly, sparked further criticism.
Amid this, the purported dedication to duty exhibited by President Biden and Vice President Harris seems only to serve their need for validation. Although under constant spotlight and scrutiny, they show little signs of tackling the country’s pressing needs.
Biden’s lacking record in handling national concerns stands as a stark outlier to Michelle Obama’s efforts during her tenure as First Lady. Despite her aversion to public appearances now, her service record comprises various impactful initiatives.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris continues to be caught up in the public image and approval game, evident from her frequent appearances at public events. Her focus on fulfilling her potential as a competent administrator, however, seems questionable.
In the end, the ongoing public exploits by Biden and Harris, according to critics, appears to be a mere distraction from the actual governance issues they should be addressing. This is where they largely contrast with the determined stance of Michelle Obama, who values self-interest and personal priorities over superficial public image.