Becoming by Michelle Obama
I knew I would be listening to the audiobook the moment I confirmed Obama was narrating the story of her life, from her childhood growing up on the South Side of Chicago, to stepping onto the political stage as First Lady. I needed to hear that warm, commanding voice. Before reading Becoming, I had only surface-level knowledge of Obama based on the carefully curated profile you would expect of a person, and of a Black woman specifically, in the upper echelons of politics and culture. I had long admired her wise and engaging perspective, her enthusiastic energy for doing good, and her on-point fashion sense, but being transported through her life was akin to watching the making of a force.
Becoming gave those of us who look up to Michelle Obama a more intimate look at the icon, walking us through relatable challenges such as balancing parenting with a demanding career and adjusting around and grieving aging family, and revealing the backstories of her astonishing personal and professional achievements and the challenges she navigated in spaces most of us will never enter. She also brings to light the specific hurdles thrown at her as a Black woman in formal and casual settings alike, revealing how being one of the most powerful figures in the world doesn’t protect a Black woman from racism and microagression. Through it all, Obama’s trademark strength and perseverance shines, but by sharing what’s happening behind the bright smile and flawless persona, she reminds us that she’s a human being, not an unshakeable foundation for all our baggage, hopes, and demands.