Michelle and Barack on a podcast and my reflections on ‘community’
Podcasts everywhere. If you’ve chanced upon on any of my other posts you’d have already surmised that I quite enjoy tuning into a podcast, especially when I’m going out for a walk or doing some of my chores. So now that Michelle Obama has started her own podcast, I was quick to check it out.
It wasn’t a surprise that she had her husband, Barack joined her for the first episode. I thought it was nice, actually and demonstrated his support. They quickly jumped into talking about how they were raised in different family structures but that despite those differences a critical common constant was in place, and that was community. Michelle’s parents were both present as she was growing up, although her mum had stayed home to look after the children. Barack on the other hand was mostly raised by a single mother. Nevertheless, what they shared in common was the insight on the value of the community around them.
Michelle talked about how her mum would look after some of the other children in their neighbourhood to help parents that needed to go to work. Barack shared the same about how his mum received the help and support of the family and the community around her. ‘It takes a village’, they echoed the popular saying. It seems that still is true in 2020 when we are all finding ways to ‘stay together while apart’. I was not born in Australia so all my family and the friends I grew up with are all overseas. I’ve found that my community here now, my neighbours, colleagues, peers, friends from Uni, are the family who’ve been close physical supports as I moved house and became a mum. Even in reflecting on the current health and economic crisis, it will take communities to get us on the path of recovery. It will take a great majority of us practicing proper hygiene, staying home when we’re feeling unwell, and looking after each other to get us on the path to recovery. University is also community and I am so grateful for the support I receive from my supervisors and managers and I value the relationships I have formed with my peers. Through the ups and downs of the PhD rollercoaster being in solidarity with my cohort has meant we are each other’s sources of validation, encouragement, and hope.
It's always positive to hear how many people are willing to step up - whether it is the employment community, mental health community, or medical community.Michelle Obama