Michelle Obama Opens Up To D.C. High Schoolers

By: Mark Knoller
Topics: Michelle Obama

(AP)

As a kid growing on the south side of Chicago, Michelle Obama remembers being ridiculed for trying to be educated and get good grades.

"I wanted an "A". I wanted to be smart. I wanted to be the person who had the right answer. And I didn't care if it was cool - 'cause I remember there were kids around my neighborhood who would say 'ooh - you talk funny. you talk - like a white girl.' I heard that growing up my whole life."

It was the First Lady's way of encouraging a dozen kids at an inner city high school in the nation's capital, to pursue better lives – no matter what anybody thinks.

In a candid and revealing chat with students, ten girls and two boys, mostly juniors and seniors at Anacostia H.S., Mrs. Obama spoke of her life, family and values. It was part of a day of outreach marking Women's National History Month.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

At her urging, other prominent women fanned out from the White House to schools in Washington – to tell their stories of success and setbacks. They included singers Alicia Keyes and Sheryl Crow, actors Phylicia Rashad, Alfre Woodard and Fran Drescher; even four star army general Ann Dunwoody.

Mrs. Obama told her group about the importance of discipline and how she tries to instill it in her daughters.

"At least my mother taught me that there was nothing more important than going to school and going on time and doing your homework." And that goes for her daughters too.

"They have to get up, set their alarms, get their own breakfast, make up their beds, put on their clothes and get to school on time."

Even if she or the President are doing something, school comes first for Malia and Sasha. "We try not to pull them out of their routines."

The First Lady encouraged her group of students to at least think about going to college. She told them they need not know now what they want to do in life. College is for exploring, she said. And never be shy about asking for assistance.

"What I tell my kids is - ask for help. Never be embarrassed. I mean this is when I'm having conversations with my little one - 'cause she's a little stubborn - and she likes to be right all the time. And sometimes she will say she knows something - that she doesn't even need to know. She's seven. I keep telling her: you're seven! You don't know how to multiply - 'cause you're seven. There are things she thinks she should know - and I'm just trying to teach her that you can learn anything if you ask for help."

As a youngster, Mrs. Obama lived near the campus of the highly-respected University of Chicago. But as a local kid, she said she didn't feel a connection with the school.

"I think the assumption was - that place was different. It was a college and it was a fancy college. And it didn't have anything to do with me."

She doesn't want kids who live in the District of Columbia to feel that way about the White House.

She said she wants to be "a part of opening up the doors and taking off the veil and saying 'this is what's going on there.' And one of the best ways – most fun ways to do that - is to come and see you all."

And this evening, she'll open the doors of the White House to more of those kids – hosting a dinner and show for them.

"Many young people will have never set foot in this place, never could have imagined that they'd be dining in the East Room with so many great people," Mrs. Obama told the other women in her project before they set out for local schools.

"Just imagine what they're going to feel like at the end of this day," she said.

Just imagine.

Mark Knoller
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.
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by wangbang March 29, 2009 2:01 PM EDT: Riteaidbob2, obviously you do care, otherwise you wouldn't have made the effort to comment. But since you're a *********** white trash goober ******, you couldn't figure that out.; Reply to this comment


by bebepdx March 19, 2009 11:47 PM EDT: I am 59 years old, white and female. I wish to God that I had been blessed with a Mother as together as Mrs. Obama.; Reply to this comment


by ReallyMeanIt March 19, 2009 11:38 PM EDT: Come on michele, using the kids to rehab your image is pretty low.; Reply to this comment


by budmag06 March 19, 2009 11:31 PM EDT: Did our lovely first lady mention that she favors abortion? Did she mention her hatred of the U.S. You know, the U.S. is not worth being "proud" of. By the way, these street kids would be ideal classmates for Malia and Sasha.; Reply to this comment


by valh1 March 19, 2009 8:19 PM EDT: Whoa! Wait a minute! Her arms are covered up! I thought she always had bare arms to show off how toned she is. Hurry up CBS get right on this story! Also be sure to ask her how the school choice program is going in DC, too. Don't want the riff-raff going to school with her little darlins' does she?; Reply to this comment


by onesword March 19, 2009 6:51 PM EDT: When people do positive or negative things. I see no color or ethnic group or religion etc. etc. Because one day that person will be giving you their blood. I like positive re-enforcements no matter who it comes from. So many of you are soooo miserable. Misery loves company as I was told.; Reply to this comment


by l--__--l March 19, 2009 6:05 PM EDT: Mrs. Obama's thesis can be found at: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8642.html; Reply to this comment


by DefendLiberty March 19, 2009 5:53 PM EDT: Thank God we have people in the White House who you can actually lok up to as role models. Well educated from modest backgrounds, they show that America is the land of opportunity.

All Bushie ever proved was that a coke user who drove drunk and was AWOL could become President because he was the privileged son of a President. Of course, THAT is what the GOP calls "FAMILY VALUES" ROFLMAO; Reply to this comment


by dhutch88 March 19, 2009 5:51 PM EDT: where are the white kids in the classroom????; Reply to this comment


by AJMarine12 March 19, 2009 5:41 PM EDT: They are told constantly through the media they are nothing and too many of them have come to believe this huge lie.

Posted by yougogirl60 at 1:44 PM : Mar 19, 2009

I watch a lot of news, but I have never seen this.

Do you have any examples or a site where I can read where children are told "they are nothing"?; Reply to this comment