First lady Michelle Obama drew attention for the commencement speech she delivered at the HBCU Tuskegee University on Saturday, where she spoke candidly about race and racism in America and the trials she herself has faced because of her skin color.
One Fox News contributor, however, thought that the first lady focused too much on the “negative parts of America” and failed to mention systems like affirmative action, suggesting that the program probably got Obama to where she is today.
“Why didn’t the first lady share the reason why she got into Princeton was probably because of affirmative action? The reason she became an associate at a law firm was probably because of diversity, that they needed a woman. Not saying she wasn’t qualified, but they needed a woman, and a woman of color. That’s a twofer,” Angela McGlowan said Tuesday on Fox & Friends. “Instead she talked about the negative parts of America. Now, do we have a level playing field in America? No. Is racism still alive? Yes. Is sexism still alive? Yes. But being the first black first lady, I would have expected a more positive message.”
McGlowan also commented on how the first lady’s connection to President Barack Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder has probably brought her more criticism from conservatives. Famed conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, for example, accused Michelle Obama of “playing the race card” in the speech.
“I think because she was at a historically black college, some things that she said was inspiring, but was the speech racially charged? Yes,” McGlowan said. “I think that so many people are critical of her because her husband has utilized race to divide this country, as well as the former attorney general, Eric Holder. … But I think if it was a regular time in America, [the speech] would have been OK.”
Watch the segment below: