The Democratic National Convention already has proven to be a stage for many things...both obvious and somewhat more subtle. As I watched Michelle Obama speak last night, I felt an extreme sense of pride and satisfaction. Pride because of how she stood strong before America and made them understand not only who her husband is, but who she is. And what her family is. And what their lives have been and continue to be. Satisaction because she represented in a way that many of the black women I know, do...and on a national, if not global, stage at that.

I think what struck me most was that, as I watched her, I was not at all surprised.  Perhaps because I view Michelle as I do many of the black successful women around me.  I expected her to shine.  I expected her to get up on that stage and put it down.  I knew that her words would flow beautifully and cause heartfelt reactions from all who were watching.  No surprise at all.  Not to me.  

But, as I sat and listened to her, I wondered how many people watching were in awe that this black woman could speak so articulately, express herself so eloquently, show herself so well.  Previous to now, some probably thought nothing more of Michelle than perhaps that she was the typical 'angry black woman' of which everyone speaks of so often.  (No surprise, as the media played a part in broadcasting such an image.)  But, I know for certain that there were those watching that did not know that black women like her, existed.  And my best guess is that for some folks in white America, this was their first exposure to a black woman of her caliber.  But, what actually concerns me...is that there were also black folks who did not know that black women like her existed, either.  There were likely black girls watching somewhere who looked at and listened to Michelle Obama and thought...wow...I've never seen anyone like that.  And what I hope, even more than convincing the majority in America that her husband is the right man for the presidency, is that she convinced some little brown girl that they too can be like her.  That they too can be a professional, intelligent, articulate, educated, beautiful, strong black woman...and that people will listen and want to know what they have to say.  I hope that she represented to some little brown girl that, despite all of the negative rhetoric they've heard and all of the derogotory images they've seen, a vision of what they're futures could be.  And most importantly, I hope that she made segments of black America who didn't know before, realize that she is not at all the exception, but the rule. 

Check out the speech here:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26400281