WASHINGTON (AP) – Michelle Obama says African-American History Month is about “honouring those who came before us” and “resolving to do our part to live up to that example”.
The first lady spoke today at a White House screening of Lifetime Television’s film version of the play The Trip to Bountiful. The movie stars Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams, Blair Underwood and Keke Palmer, who discussed the film after the viewing.
Mrs Obama said the month is also about honouring African-Americans who have set an example.
“Those who moved us past ignorance with their wisdom and perseverance,” she said. “Those who demanded more from the world around them, and those who reached for higher standards through their life’s work, whether that’s as a movie star like Ms Tyson or the millions of folks out there … folks who did their work in a classroom or in a congregation or around the kitchen table.”
Tyson won a best actress Tony Award for her performance in last year’s Broadway revival of The Trip to Bountiful. Mrs Obama and her daughters, Malia and Sasha, saw the show last August.
“Ms Tyson’s story is about so much more than honours and accolades,” the first lady told the audience.
“It’s really about character and determination. It’s about breaking barriers – not just for herself, but for all of us who are blessed by her legacy.”
Mrs Obama praised Tyson for turning down multiple offers to play a prostitute and instead going on to portray “strong, resilient women” like abolitionist Harriet Tubman and the mother of Kunta Kinte in the TV miniseries Roots.
The Trip to Bountiful debuts on Lifetime on March 8. The 1985 film version of Horton Foote’s play won a best actress Oscar for Geraldine Page.
