From "When They Go Low, We Go High" To "One Of Those Black Jobs," These 9 Michelle Obama Speeches Are Absolutely Iconic
Election Day is finally upon us. And while that's a stressful reality for many, let's take a second to appreciate one good thing election season brings us — Michelle Obama speeches.
The former first lady is undeniably one of the best public speakers alive. Even her husband, former president Barack Obama, had to admit it before delivering his speech at this year's Democratic National Convention. “I am feeling ready to go, even if I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama," he said.
Barack Obama: "I'm the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama." pic.twitter.com/aMVPYyl70r
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 21, 2024
CNN / Via Twitter: @atrupar
So, with all due respect to the former president, here are nine times Michelle Obama proved she's a better speaker than her husband:
1. "I want to know, who’s gonna tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might be one of those Black jobs?"
Michelle Obama takes jab at Donald Trump during DNC speech: "Who's gonna tell him that the job he's currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?" https://t.co/G2hB3mIh70 pic.twitter.com/mDfC7OQFHK
— ABC News (@ABC) August 21, 2024
ABC / Via Twitter: @ABC
The crowd erupted after Obama's now-famous line at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. She said, “Now, unfortunately, we know what comes next. We know folks are gonna do everything they can to distort her [Kamala Harris's] truth. My husband and I sadly know a little something about this. For years Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us. See, his limited narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black. I want to know, who’s gonna tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might be one of those Black jobs?”
2."We don’t give in to our fears, we don’t build up walls to keep people out."
3. "When they go low, we go high."
#DNC Flashback:First Lady Michelle Obama: "Our motto is, when they go low, we go high." pic.twitter.com/ssG4P1zGDu
— The Hill (@thehill) August 17, 2020
The Hill / Via Twitter: @thehill
At the 2016 Democratic National Convention, she famously said, “We try to guide and protect our girls through the challenges of this unusual life in the spotlight. How we urge them to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith… How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, ‘When they go low, we go high.’”
4. "...when you’re making life or death, war or peace decisions, a president can’t just pop off."
SHE SAID IT SO CALM! 😍 RT @imadeintruth: "A president just can't pop off." -Michelle "Edges Laid" Obamapic.twitter.com/yvnncSBXfu
— Low (@LowKeyUHTN) September 17, 2016
CNN / Via Twitter: @LowKeyUHTN
While campaigning for Hillary Clinton in 2016 in Fairfax, Virginia, she said, “And we need someone, not with good judgment, but with superb judgment in their own right… We also need someone who is steady and measured. Because when you’re making life or death, war or peace decisions, a president can’t just pop off,” she said. *crowd loses it*
5."...in this great country, where a girl from the south side of Chicago can go to college and law school, and the son of a single mother from Hawaii can go all the way to the White House."
6. "...do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter, or like you don’t have a place in our American story, because you do."
Michelle Obama had the most inspiring message for Americans in her last official speech as First Lady. pic.twitter.com/90ECzAAb2M
— Glamour (@glamourmag) January 6, 2017
NBC News / Via youtube.com
In her last speech as first lady she seemed to hold back tears as she said, “To the young people here, and the young people out there, do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter, or like you don’t have a place in our American story, because you do. And you have a right to be exactly who you are. But I also want to be very clear. This right isn’t just handed to you. No, this right has to be earned every single day. You cannot take your freedoms for granted."
7."...surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American Dream."
8. “My mother, who I lost this year, wasn’t welcome at department stores as a young woman. But for eight years she had the best view in America from her room at the White House."
“My mother, who I lost this year, wasn’t welcome in department stores as a young woman, but for eight years she had the best view in America from her room at the White House.”-Michelle Obama, Orator Extraordinaire pic.twitter.com/5tJ9Y6oJJK
— Renee 🪷 (@PettyLupone) November 2, 2024
Youtube: The Democrats / Via youtube.com
While campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, she said, "And this is what I want you all to remember. We have a lot of work to do in this country. But it is joyful work. It is purposeful work. But it is an undeniable fact that we live in a more perfect union than when we started. When most of the folks in this room couldn’t vote because they weren’t a man, or white, or a landowner. It is an undeniable fact that my mother, who I lost this year, wasn’t welcome at department stores as a young woman. But for eight years she had the best view in America from her room at the White House."
9. And finally, "DO SOMETHING!"
I am CHANGED after watching Michelle Obama’s speech tonight in Michigan.Blown awayBroken heartedFucking pissed offAnd hopeful.Really really hopeful.Let’s do this.💪💖🔥🪷#KamalaHarris2024 #MichelleObama #Michigan #Kalamazoo #WomansBodilyAutonomy #AbortionIsHealthcare pic.twitter.com/9kivvEWHQd
— M E L L Y med (@mel_med_larson) October 27, 2024
C-SPAN / Via Twitter: @mel_med_larson
While campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Obama pumped up the crowd saying, “So I’m asking you one last time, let us not just sit around and complain. Let’s do something! If your brother, or your son, or boyfriend, needs to hear your perspective, are you willing to talk to them? … Are you willing to do something? If you have an aunt who’s thinking about sitting this one out or voting for a third party, are you willing to have an uncomfortable conversation? Are you willing to do something?”
The internet recently clocked the evolution of Mrs. Obama's speeches as we have been hanging on to her every word for almost two decades now. And to say we are grateful to be alive to see it is an understatement.
MICHELLE OBAMA 2016: When they go low, we go high.MICHELLE OBAMA 2024: Fuuuuuuuck that
— Armand Domalewski (@ArmandDoma) August 21, 2024
Which of Michelle Obama's speeches is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!