Uneasy Approval

Uneasy Approval
One sweaty summer night, early in their relationship, Michelle accompanied Barack to a church basement in Roseland, a neighborhood deep in the South Side of Chicago.
People there had been struggling to rebuild their community after factory closings. Barack wanted to help.
But in this cramped, fluorescent-lit basement, a group of mostly older women were highly skeptical of this well-dressed young Black man.
What could he possibly do to help?
Michelle marvelled as Barack slowly won over the group.
He spoke about the power of political engagement.
Are you going to give up, or fight for a better world?
He implored them to vote and to put pressure on their local representatives.
By the end, the women were shouting “Amen!”
It was on this day that Michelle realized just how persuasive and inspiring her husband could be.
But while this talent opened a lot of doors, it would at times test their marriage as well.
After the Project VOTE! campaign, Chicago magazine had also noticed Barack's talents.
The article went so far as to suggest that this young man should run for office.
But Barack shrugged it off.
At the time, he was more focused on finishing his first book, a memoir about his early life experiences.
It was an important story to him, but he also had another motivation: If he didn't finish it soon, he'd have to pay back the publisher's advance of $40,000!
In the end, he finished on deadline, and Dreams from My Father was published in 1995 – the same year that Barack was formally approached about entering politics.
Michelle was highly skeptical about the idea for a number of reasons.
First of all, she didn't much like what she knew or read about politicians and the political process.
Most politicians seemed consumed with self-interest and few of them were what you'd describe as a productive force of good.
Plus, her experiences at the Jackson household showed her that politicians tend to be absent from home a lot of the time.
In her mind, Barack was more likely to make a difference as the head of a nonprofit than as a politician in some stuffy office.
Nevertheless, there was a big opportunity before them.
A seat in the Illinois State Senate was opening up – one that represented Hyde Park, the district they were living in.
Michelle warned Barack that he'd end up frustrated – that no matter how much effort he'd put into it, nothing would change.
Barack shrugged. “Maybe,” he said. “But maybe I can do some good. Who knows?”
It was hard to argue with that.
Ultimately, Michelle gave her approval.
She was skeptical, and she worried that her earnest and idealistic husband would get eaten alive.
But she wasn't about to stand in the way of a good person who wanted to make a difference.
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Uneasy Approval One sweaty summer night, early in their relationship, Michelle accompanied Barack to a church basement in Roseland, a neighborhood deep in the South Side of Chicago. People there had been struggling to rebuild their community after factory closings. Barack wanted to help. But in this cramped, fluorescent-lit basement, a group of mostly older women were highly skeptical of this well-dressed young Black man. What could he possibly do to help? Michelle marvelled as Barack slowly won over the group. He spoke about the power of political engagement. Are you going to give up, or fight for a better world? He implored them to vote and to put pressure on their local representatives. By the end, the women were shouting “Amen!” It was on this day that Michelle realized just how persuasive and inspiring her husband could be. But while this talent opened a lot of doors, it would at times test their marriage as well. After the Project VOTE! campaign, Chicago magazine had also noticed Barack's talents. The article went so far as to suggest that this young man should run for office. But Barack shrugged it off. At the time, he was more focused on finishing his first book, a memoir about his early life experiences. It was an important story to him, but he also had another motivation: If he didn't finish it soon, he'd have to pay back the publisher's advance of $40,000! In the end, he finished on deadline, and Dreams from My Father was published in 1995 – the same year that Barack was formally approached about entering politics. Michelle was highly skeptical about the idea for a number of reasons. First of all, she didn't much like what she knew or read about politicians and the political process. Most politicians seemed consumed with self-interest and few of them were what you'd describe as a productive force of good. Plus, her experiences at the Jackson household showed her that politicians tend to be absent from home a lot of the time. In her mind, Barack was more likely to make a difference as the head of a nonprofit than as a politician in some stuffy office. Nevertheless, there was a big opportunity before them. A seat in the Illinois State Senate was opening up – one that represented Hyde Park, the district they were living in. Michelle warned Barack that he'd end up frustrated – that no matter how much effort he'd put into it, nothing would change. Barack shrugged. “Maybe,” he said. “But maybe I can do some good. Who knows?” It was hard to argue with that. Ultimately, Michelle gave her approval. She was skeptical, and she worried that her earnest and idealistic husband would get eaten alive. But she wasn't about to stand in the way of a good person who wanted to make a difference.