My Assessment of the Michelle Obama / Protester Issue
Primarily, I am disappointed with Michelle Obama's response to the protester
This is because her comment comes across as both belittling and holier-than-thou. She attempted to, intentionally or unintentionally, use peer pressure to verbally bully another human being into silence by threatening the guests that she would leave if the person did not be quiet. Her comments come across as very belittling of the issue the protester had and thereby also of an entire group of people.
As you may well have seen today, the LGBT population of this nation (and certainly of DU) is wary to believe in or otherwise trust political figures (and she is a political figure, whether by title or association it doesn't matter). This is because we have been heavily targeted by politicians in the last century as objects of evil and sin, as political tools to spread conservatism, and generally as aberrant citizens.
Now, as we are gaining ground and have won several important (albeit small) victories towards equality, it is extremely vexing to see someone, who thus far has seemed to be passively accepting of LGBT people (ie. neither ardent supporter nor detractor), act in such a way. It is disheartening to see that someone in her position, whom we have come to trust to some extent, respond, intentionally or otherwise, using peer pressure to silence an LGBTer.
Why is this particular moment important? It is because it wasn't planned. It was a gut reaction. When challenged on LGBT equality, rightfully or improperly timed as it may be, she responds contemptuously and wholly without regard or respect for the issue at hand but rather the opposite. She responds like we would expect a Republican to respond.
Had she dismissed the issue simply and kindly or sought to actually point out her support for LGBT issues, would have made this a complete non-issue. To AT ALL vocalize support of LGBT issues in that moment, as a gut reaction, she would have come across strongly to the LGBT community. But in that second, she reacted very negatively. When you look at that reaction through the lens of LGBTers experience with politicians, you ignite anger and frustration. LGBTers feel betrayed by someone who has in the least been a passively positive supporter of LGBT equality. It is, essentially, a giant slap in the face.
By demonizing the protester, she demonizes all those people, and there are millions of us, who feel EXACTLY the same frustration the protester feels that caused the protester to act in the way she. We are frustrated that in the 21st century we are still being judged by our innate characteristics instead of by our contributions. It is maddeningly frustrating to see and be a part of the 2008 and 2012 elections, to witness a giant step towards racial equality, and yet to be left behind by an administration that has not moved quickly enough on LGBT issues.
Many suggest that the Obama administration has been the most LGBT-friendly administration in history. And they're right. It has. But, we share a common ground with the Obama's. We both know hate and intolerance. We've both fought the same battles, often together, to bring equality into being. The president and indeed Mrs. Obama are both intelligent, experienced individuals. Both know what inequality means in this country still to this day. And both could be doing so much more because of that knowledge to further social equality in this nation. Have they done more than any president in the past for LGBTers? Again, yes. But with their understanding, with their roots in social movements in their youth, they could do SO much more, but haven't. They have not used their privileged knowledge of inequality to the best of their abilities to affect lasting meaningful change. In much the same way that you applaud a "C" student for getting a "B" on a test whereas you would suggest that a perennial "A" student should try harder if they only achieve a "B" on the same test, I believe the Obama's should be held to a higher standard than average wealthy WASP administrations because they KNOW what inequality is. They are not ignorant of the fact. They have experienced it first hand working in Chicago. There is a different standard they must be held to, because they are able to do more. They both simultaneously do more than any previous administration and fail to do enough because of that standard and the expectations that can be had of them based on their understanding of social inequality.
So take all this in and understand all the hate, violence, intolerance, and disrespect we've been dealt as a group for generations and see it being perpetuated by someone we had come to see as an ally and we can't help but feel betrayed.
IMHO of course,
-Fearless
EDIT TO ADD:
PS. You can also tell how someone feels based on the usage of the words "protester" vs. "heckler". The shoe thrower was a protester. The Billionaires for Wealthcare were protesters. This individual is evidently a heckler. It's telling.
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