Michelle Obama describes racism she experienced as first lady

Today Michelle Obama opened up in front of a crowd of about 8,500 at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s 30th anniversary event in Denver about her experience as America’s first black first lady and racism.

Michelle Obama on racism

Mrs. Obama spoke about ‘smashing the glass ceiling’ as she was interviewed by WFCO President and CEO Lauren Casteel at the Pepsi Center.

Casteel asked which of the falling glass shards cut the deepest, according to the Denver Post.

“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” Obama said. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”

Obama referenced racist attacks she endured, including being called an ape and disparaging comments made about her body.

The former first lady faced racism with an descent of racial insults while her husband, former President Barack Obama, was in office. Throughout Obama’s two terms, she shared during commencement addresses and in some interviews how she coped with the racist attacks she had to face.

“When they go low, I go high,” Obama told graduates of the historically black Jackson State University in April 2016. “That’s the choice Barack and I have made. That’s what’s kept us sane over the years.”