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PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 25 June 2018

Michelle Obama’s memoir conveys lessons of an eventful life

By CHEVEL JOHNSON
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For-
mer first lady Michelle
Obama said Friday that
her upcoming memoir “Be-
coming” is a “re-human-
ization effort” that shares
the “ordinariness of a very
extraordinary story” that
she hopes will give voice to
people who feel voiceless.
Obama made the remarks
as she helped kick off the
American Library Associa-
tion’s annual conference
in New Orleans. Librarian of
Congress Dr. Carla Hayden
moderated the conversa-
tion before an estimated
crowd of 8,000 inside the
city’s convention center.
Obama shared snippets
from the book, including
the experiences that have
shaped her, from her child-
hood on the South Side of
Chicago to her years as an
executive and her time at
the White House. Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks at the American Library Association annual conference in New Orleans, Friday, June 22,
She told the crowd that 2018.
much of who she is today Associated Press
results from the influence important. She’s also my and keep you sane,” she in November in the U.S. The conference, which
of her parents, Fraser and sounding board. She’ll sit said, drawing a roar of ap- through the Crown Publish- ends Tuesday, is expected
Marian Robinson. and just listen and then ask plause. ing Group, a Penguin Ran- to draw more than 15,000
“My parents had a strong me, ‘What do you think you The book is being released dom House division. participants.q
sense of how to parent and should do about that?’”
taught us at an early age Obama said the book
to figure it out,” Obama gave her a chance to re-
said. “They let us know, that flect on the whirlwind of
as children, our opinions her life as a working ex-
mattered. But they encour- ecutive and mother with
aged us to contribute to a high-profile husband in
the solution. You could air it a high-profile job. “I didn’t
out, but you had to be the come into (being first lady)
one to solve whatever it with a blank slate,” she
was.” She said her parents said. “I had big jobs. I went
taught her and her brother to Princeton. I went to Har-
about the work ethic and vard. I am a lawyer. But as
the value of doing what Barack’s ascent got faster
you say you’re going to do. and higher, I had to figure
“When I go throughout my out and balance marriage
day, I often ask myself, ‘Am and balance becoming a
I doing what I think Marian spouse. I’ve learned that
and Fraser would expect you can have it all, but not
me to do?’” she said. all at the same time.”
Obama said her mother’s Obama also talked about
“no nonsense” energy has the value of strong friend-
always been a part of her ships, noting she could not
life and was welcome at have gotten through her
the White House. time in the White House
“We had butlers and house- without a “posse who
keepers at the White House, kept me sane.” She told
but my mother would tell the young, single moth-
them, ‘Don’t touch my un- ers in the audience, “you
derwear. I got it,’” she said, weren’t meant to parent in
drawing a round of laugh- isolation.”
ter. “She’s the one who “It truly takes a village to
taught my girls how to do raise children. Build your
laundry. She keeps us hum- village wherever you are.
ble and focused on what’s
It will be your salvation