Did Michelle Obama make a mistake in a recent speech when she stated that she was proud of her country for the first time? Many people think so. A related question that is probably more significant is, Has her utterance hurt her husband's chances? Some are of that view.
Well, from my perspective, I do not think her utterance was a mistake. As a lecturer in Communication Studies, I am aware of the importance of context in the interpretation of what people say and write. Therefore, one should consider the context in which she said it. I am referring to the immediate context of the sentence, which is under consideration. The sentences before and after this one are critical. No one says anything in isolation. There is always a context. Whenever you move a statement from its context, you distort its meaning. That is what has happened to Mrs. Obama. It's obvious from the context that she meant that she was "prouder" because of the large scale embrace of change in America as it was embodied in her husband Barack Obama.
Whether her utterance has hurt Barack's campaign is left to be seen. However, I do not think that it would hurt it much, if at all. I think though that she should have been more careful with respect to such potentially controversial statements. More seasoned politicians would not have made such a statement. Well, Michelle Obama is not really a politician. I think she has learned from this experience as she moves full speed ahead in the direction of the White (Black?) House.
Eirene!
Your E-Pastor,
Earlmont Williams
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