Michelle, A Bell Ringing Out for all the World to Hear! 3


There are moments in time when a leap forward is made.  The candidacy of Barack Obama is one of those moments.  Years and the efforts of millions of people have led to this special moment but his candidacy is a leap.


One of the most important characteristics of Obama’s candidacy is his loving relationship with his wife and family.  He and Michelle are a team and they are clearly made for each other.  They give credence to the saying from the Bible about the importance of being “equally yoked.”  Look at them!  They match in physicality, intellect, values, and love.  What a beautiful couple they are.  Their relationship is an important image for the world to see – that of a Black man and woman love each other and are working together. 


The support they get from their extended family network and friends is notable.

Michelle Obama’s speech:  It brought tears to my eyes to hear Marian Robinson, Michelle’s mother, narrate the film that preceded the speech about Michelle’s life and  to hear her brother,  Chris Robinson, introduce her.  The lyrics, “It’s a Family Af-fair-air” from the Sly Stone song came immediately to mind.  My heart and spirit were lifted listening to Michelle Obama’s words and delivery as well as to see her beauty, confidence and poise.


I called my mother, sister, daughter, son, brother and a few friends to make sure they were planning to watch the speech.  My husband and I watched it together.  We noticed the Stevie Wonder songs being played in the background at the convention – this was theme music for a new day.  We thrilled to the profusion of  faces of Americans of all hues in the convention center.  They reflected the promise of America, the dream that many of us strive for.


We applauded Senator Ted Kennedy for his fortitude in addressing the convention, his determination to be there, and his pride at the continuation of his brother, John’s legacy (and indeed the Kennedy family legacy).


I asked my mother if she believed she would ever have seen a serious black candidate, this candidate, this candidate’s wife in her life time.  She said, “No, never.”  We both lamented the fact that my grandmother, Mother, didn’t didn’t live to see this day.  Mother would have been so pleased, so proud, and would have sent the campaign the $10 or $20 she would give to anyone in need.  She also would have led the chorus of “Lord, have mercies” for the Obama family, as in keep them safe, Lord, and allow them to lead.


Michelle Obama is a class act, a beautiful woman, a loving and conscientious mother, a moving speaker, and an intellectual force within her own right .  Her husband is profoundly blessed to have her by his side and when elected, I feel that her intellect, vision and values will be a beacon for the country.


Right on!


About Candelaria Silva

Candelaria Silva-Collins is a marketing, community outreach and programming consultant; writer; and trainer/facilitator who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She has designed and facilitated workshops on a wide variety of topics including communication, facilitation, job search skills, team building, and parenting issues. She currently coordinates the Community Membership Program of the Huntington Theatre Company. Her work as Director of ACT Roxbury was profiled in several publications, including The Creative Communities Builders Handbook. Candelaria’s children’s stories, short stories, essays and reviews have been published in local and national publications and she is an active blogger. Her publications include the booklets, Handling Rejection; Pushing through Shyness: Networking Tips when You’re Shy, Slow to Warm Up or Just don’t Feel you Belong; and Real Questions about Sex & Relationships for Teens: A Discussion Guide for Parents. She has served on the boards of Goddard College, Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston Foundation for Architecture, and Discover Roxbury. She is currently Chair, Designators of the Henderson Foundation.

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3 thoughts on “Michelle, A Bell Ringing Out for all the World to Hear!

  • Liz

    I’m pissed because the station I was watching at first didn’t show the video, just kept talking over it! I switched stations in time to catch most of her brother’s intro, and I got to see all of her speech. It was the first time I had heard her speak at length, and she blew me away! So strong, so gracious (giving credit to Hillary C.), so human…and I loved the kids at the end. Mine were some of the eyes that were not dry during and after that speech.