I think I’ve said this before but I think it bears repeating: the word racism means different things to different people. When discussing this topic, it’s pretty normal for some white people to recoil the second the word starts to touch them personally. Because racism, to them, is overt acts, conscious choices, hateful feelings, much more personal. But to others, racism is woven into the fabric of America, much more institutional. If you were born and raised here, you’ve already got some on you. The only question is: what are you going to do about it?
When Michelle Obama said she raised her daughters in a house built by slaves, that was a much more poignant way of saying she got some on her. The more important question is what is she doing about it?
This is something I don’t understand. How does Michelle Obama have “some on her”. Ok, she lives in a house built by slaves. Something done over 100 before she was born. She obviously do not approve of slavery or the methods of how the house was built. But the the building is done, nothing can change that it was built by slaves. It is not Michelle Obama’s fault. That house is where the President of the United States and family lives. Why shouldn’t she live there? Deciding not to live there won’t change the fact that it was built by slaves. Having the White House knocked down and a new one built won’t do anything for the slaves that built the White House. So how does Michelle Obama have “some on her” and just what is she supposed to do about the fact that the White House was built by slaves? She can’t help the slaves they are long dead and slavery was ended over 100 years ago.