Michelle Obama claims black women don’t have ‘permission’ to articulate their pain

Speaking on the latest episode of her podcast, “IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson,” which she co-hosts with her brother, Obama claimed that black women carry emotional burdens in silence. Robinson noted during the discussion that their mother, like many black women they knew, never complained about hardship, suggesting that there may be unacknowledged trauma as a result.

Obama commented on this, suggesting that black women do not articulate their pain because there is an expectation that they keep quiet about it.

“We don’t articulate, as black women, our pain because it’s almost like nobody ever gave us permission to do that,” Obama claimed.

She added, “We have to ask ourselves, the men in our lives… why wait to be asked? It seems like what we go through is pretty obvious. Maybe we’re not complaining, but we’re actually living life out loud.”

Obama also suggested that black women are “socialized to believe from very early on” that they are undeserving of better treatment or conditions.

The comments came as the episode featured a conversation with actress Taraji P. Henson as both Obama and Robinson touched on their personal experiences with their family. The episode, titled “TARAJI P. HENSON Opens Up About Burnout, Boundaries & Healing as a Black Woman,” centered mainly around what it means to be a black woman.

“As black women, we are so easily labelled as angry and bitter,” Obama later added, before going on to talk about her experiences in public service as a black woman.

Obama's podcast features commentary on social issues, life advice, and guest interviews. However, despite her high profile as a former first lady, the show has reportedly struggled to gain traction in the podcast space. The podcast is currently ranked 5th on Apple Podcasts but is not within the top 100 on Spotify.