Michelle Obama ’85’s thesis was released to the public by the University today after several days of media scrutiny over its availability and content.
The campaign of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), her husband, received criticism from conservative media and bloggers when ...(back to the article)
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To Whom It May Concern, The below email was recently forwarded to me and as a sociologist who has studied extensively in both the fields of the sociology of education and the sociology of race the below topic is of some interest to me. I have read Michelle Obama's undergraduate thesis from Princeton (if you email me, I can send it to you) and after reading the below email, I would like to clarify some of the claims that were made below that inaccurately represent the fields of the sociology of race, education and Ms. Robinson's (Obama's herein referred to as "Michelle") work. 1. I did not have any trouble locating Michelle's thesis. While the thesis is particularly strong for an undergraduate student of her era (although I would have liked to have seen more discussion of the extant research), it is not uncommon for a University library to place loan restrictions on a document published by a prominent scholar, or a person who later becomes prominent for something else (i.e., wife of a Presidential Candidate) which would generate interest beyond the scope of work itself. Such requests are designed to provide access for those who wish to view the manuscript for its substantive content rather than for the public curiosity of examining a document from some prominent public figure's "college years." I attempted to contact the manager of the Princeton resource archive, where the thesis has been stored, but she was away for the day. I would imagine this is the reason for the restriction, if a restriction was ever placed at all. 2. In the subsequent years since Michelle completed her thesis (1985), a variety of well respected sociologists have independently confirmed many of her claims, with social science research, not opinion. For example, Joe Feagin (2000), a past President of the American Sociological Association has confirmed that during the colonial and post-colonial period the United States engaged in systemic racism towards African Americans and Native Americans. In sociology it is important to note that racism is not used in the context most Americans think it is. That is, when people usually hear racist they think of the Ku Klux Klan or people who say things such as "I hate black people" and thus, they do not think governments or they themselves have benefited from racism and thus, cannot be racist because they are not members of the Klan and have no hatred toward any minorities. In reality, when it is the policy of colonies, states or the federal government to systematically import people without their consent based upon their skin color (African Americans) or systematically remove people from their land and relocate them elsewhere without their consent (Native Americans), sociologists such as Feagin and Michelle refer to this as racism. Today, I meet few people or students who deny that either of these things happened have happened, so this claim does not seem too problematic. It is important to recognize that as Americans, this is our history, but that does not mean we can not collectively work together to remedy past injustices. 3. Like most of life experiences, context is important. Thus, it is important to remember that when Michelle attended Princeton University her college experience differs from students' experience in college today, including Princeton. In the early and mid 1980s, Princeton was overwhelmingly white (upwards of 90%) with little racial and ethnic diversity. For many white students, attending a class or rooming with a student from a different race was novel and thus, given the limited interaction of students from minority communities, race was likely the most salient feature of her identity. For example, women who work in all male environments often report their gender as being salient, or they are acutely aware of being female in this setting. Similarly, middle age white men, often report feeling "out of place" among a group of all women or younger white men as they may report difficulty interacting. This is what Michelle is referring to in her thesis and subsequent research by Claude Steele and Joshua Aaronson (1998) have subsequently found this "stereotype threat" effect to influence behavior irrespective of race, gender or age. Additionally, subsequent research by Richard Zweigenhaft and William Domhoff (1991) on African Americans at elite educational institutions, such as Princeton, found most African American students made similar comments to those made by Michelle at the time. 4. From a sociological perspective, Michelle's comment about her commitment to the black community and her expected hypothesis that blacks would be more likely to assist members of the black community, which was not supported, is less of a recognition with the largely debunked assimilation perspective and more of a desire to help working class African Americans, like herself, attend Princeton. Research by Signithia Fordham and John Ogbu (1986) found that during this time, often working class urban African Americans were likely to view educational institutions such as Princeton to be "white institutions" and thus, students like Michelle wanting to attend such Universities were engaging in behavior that was "acting white." In reality, these views are reflective of an oppositional culture which developed in many African American communities which was more reflective of a recognition that such elite opportunities were largely unavailable to them, irrespective of educational aptitude. Michelle sought to change this and some of her early work with Barack Obama as community organizer in Chicago did in fact do this. 5. Seeing the world through a race-based or gender-based prism, or class-based or an intersectional prism (race, class, gender, etc) is beneficial and should not be viewed as detrimental. A variety of studies by Patricia Gurin (2005), Eduardo Bonilla-Silva (2006) and Patricia Hill-Collins (2000) have concluded this independently. What's more, is that it is folly to believe that a "color blind society" is beneficial. In our democracy, it is important not to bury our heads in the sand by looking past previous inequality and disparity, but rather take them on and work together to address such social problems, which is what Michelle did at Princeton and continues to do today. In short, there are a variety of reasons to vote for or against Barack Obama but a mis-representation of his wife's sociological work should not be one. As always, I welcome any discussion of race, education, and how we can work together to help those who may have fallen behind in our democracy. Please feel free to forward to anyone who may have received the previous email. Regards, John John Barnshaw Projects Coordinator University of Delaware
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For all of you out there who believe slavery was founded by white people, may I remind you that long before Europeans ever set foot in Africa, Blacks were enslaving Blacks, a practice that continues with vigor in Africa today. So, do us all a favor, and stop the blame game... it does nothing but impede your chances to gain support of those whom you need.
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Do you want to know why Blacks still have hard feelings toward America. It's because we know why the country is set up the way it is. It goes back to Americas original sin of slavery. It makes black people angry because we were kept from wealth in the beginning, and have had to fight the US system of slavery, fight for civil rights, then for jobs and you call it affirmative action, then education, you call it quotas. Think about, if the past never happened such laws wouldnt be necessary. But because there is inequality laws are needed to make sure Blacks are not kept out of America's dream, and prosperity. White folks just want everything for themselves...I dont blame them it's part of their history. They dont know any other way.
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Madison. Why are you making a big deal out of the "COLOR of the Whitehouse? That's stupid. People are soo confused today. You don't know what is inside of you that is making you dislike people because of the color of their skin. May I suggest you sit down and pray about it.
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I would just like to say that Michelle makes a huge stink about the "bias" against black people society that she lived in. I know its so terrible that people like Sammy Davis Jr. had to fight so hard to get to the top, and it is horrible that Michelle Obama was hired by Sidley Austin, the mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley, and the University of Chicago right after she graduated from law school. Black people are just so biased against in America aren't they? We never give black people the chance to succeed do we? Lets elect Obama and change all of that right? Heck lets change the name of the White House to the Black House while we are at it and paint it black.
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Lets face the facts here. She may have been intelligent but as a general rule the black population is not on the same intellectual level as the white population. Here is an example. At the public high school in Rockford Ill., where some of my relatives live, all of the black population of the school failed except 2 of them. The principle raised all of their grades so that they would pass. Isn't this racism terrible? I have another story for you all that is typical of this "racism" in our education system. A good friend of mine took the entrance exam for Harvard University's Political science program. He had graduated from Penn State top of his class. He aced the entrance exam for Harvard and they did not accept him because they were low on their quota of minorities and they needed to fill in the positions with minorities. What are we supposed to do break our backs for the minorities I mean for goodness sakes they are called minorities for a reason. I am sure that you all can give several examples of our system that is so darned racist.
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If Michelle Obama had such a problem at white Princeton, she should have transferred to Howard or Morehouse. She will bring her white problem to the White House as she is her husband's "closest advisor". Heaven help us.
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The fact that we are even talking about this during a Pres. debate is concerning in and of itself. Race shouldn't be an issue at all this day in age, however it is. And so I say we must not be ready, on both sides.
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To those bashing Mrs. Obama, try looking at it from her point of view during that time. I really was able to understand why Mrs. Obama wrote what she did after reading an article about one of her white roommates during that time. The roommate came from a racist family and she was distant towards Mrs. Obama because of her race. When the white roommate's mother saw that her daughter would be living with Mrs. Obama, she flipped out and asked the college to give her daughter someone else. Both the white roommate and her mother said they regretted their attitudes and felt terrible for how they were back then. Here is the article for those that want further insight on this matter [url]http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/news/stories/2008/04/12/roommate_0413.html[/url]
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First, Obama is NOT a Christian people. Black Liberation Theology is NOT Christian but far from it. He says that for political reasons....check the "fruits" - there are none. Secondly, It looked worse to NOT release this but Michelle is shoving another wedge into the race. The race card should NOT be an issue but when you are an elitist and want only to improve "the black community",what kind of a president will you make? What kind of a first lady? Yikes. Yes, she was 22...when people are forming life long opinions. She had obviously been brought up thinking this way and was solidifying her opinions...she obviously put a lot of thought into it all - it was her senior thesis for crying out loud. (Like I could have written a thesis like that..."The experience of the White alumni after going to a predominately black university. What are you doing for the white community?". We have worked for a few generations to blur the lines of race and Michelle and her kind keep drawing a line in the sand....common! I can't stand Hillary but at least she isn't spewing this garbage.
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I had heard the rumor that the Obama camp was doing everything it could to keep this from coming out. I had to go onto this site to beleive it for myself. The thesis does exist. Princeton University has a right to publish anything that they wish. Freedom of the press. These are very contraversial view points and observations made by a potential first lady. If there were to be an Obama administration,it appears that this could very well set back race relations in this country. Obama is doing everything that he can to keep this from coming out in the mainstream media. These are true printed words that are on the internet written by his wife! This is going to come out. The truth always does! America will finally see that the Obama's are elitists and hidden racists.
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SHAME ON PRINCETON UNIVERSITY.After you are "published" your Thesis is on view for the public domaine. If you carefully follow the paper trail on both Obama's you will realize that they live in a black/white world. Her, Michelle Obama's senior thesis is riddled with racial overtones, the family's long-time minister...well one only has to read several of his sermons...and then there is the "affirmative action" that Mr. Obama was very much a central figure after college in Chicago. The public is given a pardon the expression, "a whitewashed" version of the Obama's. I would no more vote for this inexperienced senator as I would seek out a surgeon with no "hands on experience" in the OR! Get real America and smell the coffee!! Is this the best America has to offer it's citizens.
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Princeton does not have a "race issue." The United States does have a ra i race issue. The world around us in 2008 does have a race issue. It's a cop out to blame Princeton for problems which are a result of tensions and conflicts throughout the country and the world in which Princeton is situated. Shame on those who would point the finger at Princeton because it is a convenient scapegoat. I am not an African-American student and I do not pretend to know first-hand the challenges that they face but, if I were an African-American student, I would rather be at Princeton and a handful of its elite, liberal, progressive peers than anywhere else.
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To anyone who is inclined to take Marvin Foushee's post at all seriously[,] I urge you to seek out Mr. Foushee's many comments posted elsewhere on the [I]ternet (google: it only takes a second). Foushee has apparently decided to base his racist convictions here on the prose of a 22 year old, a classy move if ever there [was] one. You will see, I've no doubt, that his comments elsewhere not only demonstrate a disregard for the English language[,] but also for coherence and common sense. If George W Bush submitted his thesis paper on being a dumb White cheerleader in an Ivey League School, would the Black academic world have beat a path to his front door to support him as the best choice candidate for the President of the United States? Michelle Obama had a Black/White agenda when she wrote her thesis. Malcolm X had a Black and White agenda when he wrote his life's thesis, which he later recanted. I do not care to see an unrecanted, Malcolm X in the White House, having an unrecanted 9/11 House of Saud terrorist in the White House is bad enough. How many White candidates are running around with "I inhaled: that the point" T-shirt. This is one of those White/Black racist statements that does not need to see the light of day in the White House. I am sure that at one time, or another, I have said that the salary for the President of the United States should be raised up to at least a million dollars a year in order to improve the academic credentials of the candidate pool. Two corruptable lawyers and a Lucifer Effect victim: OMG.
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To anyone who is inclined to take Marvin Foushee's post at all seriously: I urge you to seek out Mr. Foushee's many comments posted elsewhere on the internet (google: it only takes a second). Foushee has apparently decided to base his racist convictions here on the prose of a 22 year old, a classy move if ever there were one. You will see, I've no doubt, that his comments elsewhere not only demonstrate a disregard for the English language but also for coherence and common sense.
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“I have found that at Princeton[,] no matter how liberal and open-minded some of my White professors and classmates try to be toward me, I sometimes feel like a visitor on campus[--]as if I really don’t belong.” If you do study her grammar, her style, and her sentence structure in her wine-and-cheesy, black princess thesis, you would understand that she does not belong in an institution of higher learning of the caliber of Princeton. Michelle Obama is a product of affirmative action, a series of Jim Cotton, White/Black laws that segregates negroes into African-American studies department at [liberal] universities that should know better than to pander to the tastes of the ignorant and the lazy under the guise of diversity. Or is this ignorance and educational laziness an affectation, a political front that hypocritically praises the White culture of intelligence that surrounded her at Princeton on her way to the Malcolm X, White Devil House in Washington, D.C.? “I have found that at Princeton no matter how liberal and open-minded some of my White professors and classmates try to be toward me, I sometimes feel like a visitor on campus; as if I really don’t belong.”--Michelle Obama
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First of all, I neither quoted Leslie Bernard-Joseph, nor do I feel I need to discuss the matter with him; he did, after all, spend his USG presidency talking about it. I was merely using him as a temporal reference to make the point that the issue has still not been resolved. And as for your very loaded question, I wouldn't say I'm afraid of people knowing who I am, but it's precisely questions like that which stifle real, honest discussion. The very notion implies that I have reason to be afraid of the fact that I hold a dissenting point of view. It says, if I, a white male, disagree with an African American who cries foul over a race-related issue, I will be branded a racist or a bigot. I'm sure that racism exists, and I'm sure it always will. I try to be equitable with everyone, perhaps even "more equitable" with black students, if that makes sense, but I must admit that my time at Princeton has tainted my concern with frustration and irritation. I feel like the issue has been thrust upon me repeatedly here, and I am so tired of hearing about it. The only real suggestion that was made at the Forum on Race three years ago within my power to execute was to "get angry." And that, to my way of thinking, is inflammatory, and just stupid. So what else then? Join the BSU? Become a part of the Chicano Caucus? Take an AAS course and talk about issues of race? Why would I join this ever-expanding dialog which, over the past twenty years, at least, has effected no change, even within the relatively small University community? I have been shown nothing that would make me think it is anything more or less than a waste of time.
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Anyone (at least the majority of students) who are African-American and went to Princeton can tell you that racism at the school is not in their head. I too never recognized race and never felt so conscious of my difference until I got to Princeton. Maybe the people who question whether there is racism have never had the experience of being called the N word at the "WA" on a Saturday night. Maybe they choose to think racism doesn't exist because it makes them feel as though they don't have to try and change it. Please don't say racism doesn't exist unless you have walked in the shoes of those who say it does. I tried to change Princeton and make people more open minded. But without a doubt anyone who says the school or the nation doesn't have an unnatural obsession with race, has not read the history of this country and the current news on racial profiling. Please try to be kinder to those people who feel isolated and not say "its all in their heads." Also to 08 and your quoting of Leslie Bernard-Joseph, if you have a question about race relations at Princeton, why dont you just ask him yourself on the facebook Im sure he'd be glad to answer you. Or are you too afraid to let anyone know who you are?
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Those repeat words of "Change" and "hope" remind me of "Iraq" and "9/11" that Bush so often would repeat to draw the crowd in - then when reality hit we all woke up and said, "What the **ck did we get into?"s
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Thank you Justsaynotobo for your comment. It's as if BO thinks just merely saying "change" and "hope" on repeat then people will believe things will change. And to Michelle Obama, there is plenty to be proud of in this country. Even the lower class in this country has access to resources and public goods that would have been unimaginable 100 years ago and still are to many in foreign countries. Would you rather be a middle class American or in the 95th percentile in Zimbabwe? No candidate has a monopoly on change. Barack is nothing better than a collectivist who hopes to soak the working classes with tax cuts. He has no proven track record, has supported nonsensical reform such as comparable worth. I only hope those who support him are willing to check out on his track record before voting for someone who has pretty speeches.
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The cat went out on the prowl when Michelle Obama let her out a few days ago by blurting out that she had never felt proud of America all her adult life until now; that is, when her husband started winning Democratic primaries, and now the cat's kitten--Michelle's thesis, has just come out of the same place with the same markings as her mother's. Apparently Michelle Obama hasn't really grown up in 23 years as an American. That is understandable; after all, she obviously lived in a household till a few weeks ago that didn't make her feel proud of America, in spite of the head of the household who wants to be the next president of the US--the position that would demand the man to be the most patriotic and proud American of us all. What an inspiring example! Needless to say, Michelle's husband says he is ready, like a Catholic man who just divorced his wife just to be ready for the papacy. Sadly, oh yes, it's just another case or two of the usual great American ultra-liberal intellectual malady: loathing of America. Welcome to America, Michelle, and you will be qualified to take the citizenship test in five years. Please study hard and be prepared. Too bad her Princeton thesis adviser didn't tell her that 23 years ago.
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In response to this comment..>I think these scandals are just foolish. Now that Obama has proven to the world that he can make a change. The opposers are getting frightened by an intellegent black man. Who's running the best campaign? If race isn't an enormous issue why is it constantly being thrust upon? no matter how many times a black person proves themselves, people make it harder to move on.>>>> Can you please tell us how exactly BO has proven he can make change? He has not proven anything what so ever!!! Tell us what his accomplishments are? He has never done anything of worth, even in his own state!!! He just pops out of nowhere..He cannot do a damned thing about the war or healthcare, he cannot promise to fix anything and anyone who possibly believes he can needs shock treatment! His platform is insane and will destroy this nation.
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I think these scandals are just foolish. Now that Obama has proven to the world that he can make a change. The opposers are getting frightened by an intellegent black man. Who's running the best campaign? If race isn't an enormous issue why is it constantly being thrust upon? no matter how many times a black person proves themselves, people make it harder to move on.
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What difference does it make. Michelle is not running for president. This is a case of trying to find some dirt on the candidate. Post Clinton's thesis on the web and then compare.
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carl wrote: "Dont let the door hit you in the ass." FUCKING HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I don't understand this black white thing. Until African Americans stop thinking of themselfs as outsiders in todays world they will never feel free. The average white person does'nt care if your black or white but how you act and treat others.
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"Blackness," like race itself, is a social construct. it is society's perception of Black people. it's how the same comment or action, depending on the race of the speaker is percieved. in some instances, it would be the difference between getting caught in a hale of 41 or 50 bullets and being handcuffed or restrained. it could be the difference between more sophisticated testing for and early detection of breast cancer and death. it could be the difference between a higher or lower mortgage rate. it could be the difference in conviction and sentencing. it's a social construct, but it has real world implications that are not just in people's minds.
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I would think that "[w]hatever the case may be for Princeton in terms of race relations" is probably significant as to whether African American students feel welcomed or not. Being welcomed does not mean being assimilated or marginalized. It means being accepted as you are and for who you are and that that entails, including being Black. The "formation of racially specific (if not exactly exclusive) groups, like BMAG and BSU," fosters the members themselves, who can then contribute to a "more integrated campus society." Similarly, all students belong to organizations, where they have something in common with fellow members to whom they can relate and support. Well ... "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
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Can someone please explain to me what her "blackness" is, and after doing so, would it be acceptable for this white man to refer to it when speaking of/to African Americans? Obviously, racism on a much broader scale resides in Ms. Obama's mind.
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Carl, I'm not sure you're the one who should be flinging around the word racist. For one thing, Obama is not a Muslim, he is a Christian. And even if he were a Muslim, that would have nothing to do with whether he is or isn't a racist, which given his background seems unlikely in any event. The truth is that Princeton, like the United States, has a long history of severe racism, which understandably leads some people to feel isolated and marginalized. Also, the US's history of oppression and anti-democratic behavior is a matter of public record and one that ought to be criticized in order that the nation may better achieve the great Enlightenment ideals espoused by the Declaration of Independence and founding documents. @Probama, please take note of the fact that there are more than two Hillary supporters on this campus.
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Whatever the case may be for Princeton in terms of race relations, I feel like African American students on campus still hold to this idea that Obama puts forth in her thesis, that Princeton is not 'welcoming' to the black community. If I am wrong in this assessment, I welcome a correction, but I can recall this being an important idea to the USG presidency of Leslie Bernard-Joseph '06, just three years ago. I ask the African American community here, of which I am not a part, if Princeton is in fact not welcoming, what should be done about it? And secondly, how does the formation of racially specific (if not exactly exclusive) groups like BMAG and BSU foster a more integrated campus society? I must admit, I have come to the belief that many (not all) African Americans on campus find it easier to maintain the complaint, and a position of indignation, than to put forth a meaningful solution or to ever accept that one exists. Someone, please, prove me wrong.
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As a Black alumnus of Princeton, I would say the same thing applied when I was there in 2000-2004.
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Shes a racist and so is her muslim husband, just look ayt her coments last wek thats she is finally proud to be an american. Like the old saying goes America love it or leave it" Dont let the door hit you in the ass.
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Interesting to understand her race driven views. It shows her race "issues" are still in her head.....and most likely in his, too.
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Hillary was president of the Young Republicans at Wellesley.
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Not to defend the Prince, 'cause normally that would be their fault, but maybe you're the only one and they couldn't find you...? Bring it on home in Texas, Barack!
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The Prince didn't ask for the reactions of Hillary supporters on campus in light of this event?
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