So just yesterday I had a chance to check out Michelle Obama’s documentary Becoming which is out on Netflix. The documentary takes place during Michelle Obamas book tour and the series of interviews that she does. You also learn more about her family such as her mom, her older brother, and her day who unfortunately passed away years ago. You get to the house she grew up in and you learn more about the struggles that she went through not only as a former first lady but just as a women or more specifically a black woman.

I read Michelle Obama’s book when it first came out and also listened to the audiobook and it had to be one of the most inspiring things I have ever read. So watching the documentary brought me to tears at certain points because of how much I not only related to her but also to the girls that she was speaking with. Plus it just made me feel so inspired and glad to be not only a woman but a black woman because many times the stereotypes, or feeling like you don’t belong, etc can really bring you down and make you wonder if you need to change who you are so that you can belong. And Michelle Obama had the perfect answer to that which was pretty much no and that you should have confidence in yourself.

For me this was a great thing to hear since being a black woman I always struggled with feeling I belong. I was always and still am at times worried about how people see me and what they think about me. I also at times did deal with the stereotypes that followed black women so seeing a black woman like her make it the white house really made me proud to be who I am. Plus I look back on my experiences and I realize just how much they shaped me. Also I’m learning to love my uniqueness and not care about what others have to say about me or what they thing about me because I have to stay true to myself and be happy with who I am.

Another great thing about the documentary was the inclusions of young people that she spoke with and their lives. These instances were also inspiring and also helped see what reading this book did to help them. These parts weren’t long but they were just enough to show you the impact that she had.

Overall I definitely recommend watching this documentary and also reading her book. Like I mentioned above there is a audiobook which is also amazing since Michelle Obama actually reads it. So that’s what I have to say about this documentary and I hope you all enjoy your Sunday.

~Shay Taree