Oh Grow (Shut) Up, Michelle

The new Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan.

I recently saw a movie, "Woman in Gold," about the stealing of art and other valuables from rich Jews by the Austrian government during the war leading up to the Holocaust. It was just so-so as a film, not really adding much to the already overflowing cinematic library of that tragic time, and even less to the sterling career of its star, Helen Mirren. But in it was buried one memorable line that stood out for me, having grown up in a Jewish family that pretty much harped on those "six million Jews" constantly despite my begging them to stop, already.

An Austrian citizen had just heard the impassioned request for the return of her possessions from a woman (Mirren) appealing her case in front of the court. Afterwards, he approached her on the street and sneered, "It's always the same with you people. Everything isn't always about the Holocaust, you know." The same might be said to Michelle Obama concerning race. Last week, speaking at a dedication ceremony of the new Whitney Museum in New York City, a temple of modern art open to anyone who can pony up the twenty bucks, she chose to focus everyone's attention on her being black. Inferring that people of color "are not always welcome here," or something along those lines, she turned what should have been a joyous celebration into a political brouhaha.

I know, I heard -- her great-great grandmother was a slave. But she is the freaking First Lady of the United States of America, so obviously everything isn't always about race.