Michelle Obama Watch

She can’t believe that she lost out on the chance to be a good friend to a First Lady because she didn’t have the integrity and backbone to stand up to her racist mother.

Now of course if Michelle wasn’t the new First Lady, Catherine Donnelly wouldn’t care.

That hat is definitely more interesting than the story or the people behind Don. As far as the roommate goes, to quote the Diabolical Biz Markie, “She caught the vapors!”

Let me get this straight…Her name growing up was Rodrique, which is Spanish, from New Orleans…me thinking definitely Black Blood down the line somewhere. That might explain KKK “Grandma’s” extreme racism. She’s was afraid that her Black Blood would be found out amongst her Southern racists.

DNA ancestry test to put this nonsense to bed…and Grandma’s racism.

This White woman wants some attention. White people want to be your friend only if you have money or is successful. Leave Michelle Obama ALONE YOU single White female

I wonder if she sounds just as sweet and passive when she’s flinging around the N word at home?

I just know my two or three college roomates had better nor be on CNN ten years from now. It would be ON!

not impressed, hope she tells her little girls that

Folks I must remind everyone that the origin of this blog is “sisterhood.” While Catherine might be annoying the mess out of everybody, let’s not treat her the way other people have treated Michelle.

If Catherine is so sorry as she claims to be, then why did it take her quarter of a century to apologize? Why is she all of a sudden apologetic for how she acted toward Michelle. By 18 years old, one would think that a young adult could stand up to her parent on issues she disagrees with. If Catherine truly disagreed with her mother, she would have made it apparent back then and not 25 years later. Although her apology is still better than none at all, this one is a little to late, and quite frankly, not all that plausible. Unfortunately for Catherine, she truly missed out; not only on the chance to establish an extremely influential contact, but also on a potentially good friend. This story is the ultimate example of how no one should judge a book by its unique cover.

it just shows you need to be mindful of how you treat other people
don’t judge people based on their skin color
you may miss out on a friend

Admin, you are on to something when you say that maybe Ms. Donnelly should have just told CNN, “No”.

Having tried not to post while my own “blood is still up” I’m with the ladies on here who find Catherine’s apology several decades too late/none too plausible/smacking of opportunism and a general attempt to stretch her 60 seconds of fame/infamy to at least 69……

Ms. Donnelly has had ample time to discreetly seek Michelle out, send her a note and offer an olive branch; that she is seeking screentime on the eve of the inauguration is truly one of those things that has made me go “Mmmm.”

Indra Nooryi, CEO of Pepsico, tells us to always assume positive intent. Who among us hasn’t lost touch with their long ago college roommate? Perhaps Ms. Donnelly truely means what she says and is putting herself on the line by declaring so in public. What DOES she have to gain? I don’t believe she is foolish enough to believe that Michelle Obama is going to call her up and say, ‘let’s be BFF’s now.’ Would we not, perhaps, look upon her secretly getting in touch with Mrs. Obama as equally shameful – that she didn’t have courage enough to come forward in public and risk the flaying she is getting here, and surely on other blogs? I’m not calling Ms. Donnelly a saint; but, she is asking for the dialog to begin. In some ways, she is seeking forgiveness for a past wrong by seeking the public outcry. You know, she could have just melted into the crowd and never admitted to being Mrs. Obama’s ‘prejudiced’ roommate. Surely Mrs. Obama was never going to ‘out’ her, so to speak. We don’t have to like her. We don’t have to desire to get to know her; but, I think we owe her the courtesy to ‘assume positive intent’ and let it go. How are we to move ahead, to become the society that MLK dreamed of, if we keep the hate alive. Let it go.

I agree with Admin- this public apology is decades late and insincere.

Very phoney!!! I gaurantee Catherine Donnelly hadn’t thought twice about Michelle Robinson/Obama since Princeton and wouldn’t be thinking about her today if Mrs. Obama wasn’t first lady. I’m certain she carries those same racist views she had on her first day @ Princeton till this very day. I wonder if Catherine is seeking out any other minorities she projected her racist views towards during the course of the past 25 years? I agree with AMINAH – “She got the VAPORS”

it really sucks to know there are people out there in this date in time like catherine and her mother, I really hope this turned out to be sort of an epiphany for those two because then they really are in for a rude awakening if they think that that kind of attitude is acceptable any longer here in america, NOW that we have an african-american president. Wake up ladies and smell the CHANGE!!!!!

Note to Catherine- I wouldn’t do any more interviews about this.

How timely! The little racist wants to get attention because the black room-mate that she discarded like garbage is set (in less than 24 hours) to become her First Lady.

During the campaign she had ample time to speak out. THe disgusting opportunist didn’t believe that her ex-room-mate’s husband had any chance of winning. Did she or Moron Mom vote for Barack?

The Dean is just as guilty of racism as this horrid woman and her awful mother.

Why didn’t “Minnie Me Racist” apologise before? Don’t buy it Michelle – she is looking invitation to the White House. No white house dinners for you – get lost woman and happy riddance.

Well! Well! Well!!

Catherine plans are to get rich with a great book deal
from the hurt she helped cause” THE FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES.” I HOPE YOU DON’T SELL A SINGLE COPY.
Catherine, to bad we CAN’T call you or family members ladies.
THE FIRST LADY is 40+. This hurtful act occured lately. Time has nothing to do with it. You are just MEAN and HATEFUL people.
SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY—

Dearest Catherine Donnelly,

The saying that “the best revenge is living well” is truly worth repeating now for your benefit.
It is worth stating that the subtle discrimination that Michelle was made to feel while at Princeton as a fresh new college student away from home is what gave her strength and character. Catherine, in some of the articles I have read about you gave credence to the fact that you didn’t even try to have a black friend on campus. You avoided Michelle and other blacks like the plague. Had you extended yourself you would have made black friends at Princeton. Think about it–you’re at a prestigous university with other blacks that you can learn from. This is how stereotyping is removed. One step and one person at a time, you just didn’t want to be the one to step out of your comfort zone.

Michelle is no different then you or me. She gets up in the morning, brushes her teeth, tends to her personal hygiene and steps out to live her life to the fullest.

Have you even taken the time to read her thesis. I have. I wanted to know from this black woman what life at Princeton was like in her perspective. It was not warm and inviting. But she persevered and moved on to bigger and better things. Others saw her value. NOT YOU or YOUR MOTHER or your friends.

Also, it is so funny that you would put this blame on your mother. Had you told your mother that you wanted to try this living arrangement for awhile to see if it worked, which you didn’t (I can hear you saying it myself, but mother she’s BLACK) you may have found her to be very nice. Nope, sorry the time to go back and redo those days in your college life is over. Your social climbing will not be on her ladder.
She didn’t get anywhere with your help. I doubt that you would have even hired her if she came to you for a job in the firm/office that you may be employed.

Don’t count on her being your “DEAR FRIEND” now as you have stated. Too much time has passed (those college years are gone forever) You only came forward now hoping to become a part of her inner circle. Its like being at a class reunion talking to the classmate who made your life miserable while in high school and you become big time successful and now they want to be your friend. Michelle may have remembered you, but thank goodness she has the class to by step this ugly past,

Thanks goodness she didn’t remember you. Who you were. This gives you even less importance in her life/memory Even if it could happen, the memories would just get in the way, your way. You couldn’t be a real friend, you’d be too busy trying to kiss her kneecaps and bring your racist family in the mix.

Nope, the Obamas should continue on their Godspeed path without you or Satan trying to intervene. Don’t worry you will be known as the white girl who thought she was too good to sleep in the same room with the black girl who would become the FIRST LADY OF THE US of A.

Yes, you definitely will have a place in history as the white woman who came forward in 2008 to attach herself to Michelle Obama after rejecting her as your roommate many years ago. This is your history, not to ever be erased. Your white friends (because you’ve already stated that you have no black friends) will be talking behind your back forever and maybe to your face about the friend you wish you had made. I don’t for one second believe that you have one true black friend at this moment. Michelle is gone from your life just as you wanted. You can start today by extending yourself where you live to build relationships with other black people in your community, but do this only if you are sincere. But I don’t think so.

All I can say is “how do you her now” There is a book by this name, I recommend that you read it.

@ Cam…Yeah right…she is happy for Michlle.

Read everything she wrote. She and her mother is still covert racists.
Her family’s racist views goes way back. In North Carolina after dark her grandfather/Uncle used to run black visitors out of town.

Oh my gosh! The feeling of entitlement in part of this woman’s dna. Why would she think that after spending one semester with Michelle 25 years that Michelle gives a hoot what she thinks and/or feels. Does she think because she is white, a black woman will jump at the opportunity to count her as a friend? Give me a break!!!

Y’all it’s MLK day, can’t we all get together and hold Catherine’s hands and sing Kumbaya? I had no idea this video would get such a strong response.

I bet Hillary is like “damn, I am sure glad that I was nice to Grant Hill’s mom”.

My oldest brother attended a predominately white university years ago. As soon as he moved into the dorm, his white roommates moved all of his stuff out of the room! They did it when he was in class! He is now in his 50’s and successful. So this was not uncommon!

@ Cam. How could have Catherine have been glad to “know” Michelle, when she and mommy, got her up out out of that room as quick as they could say the the N word! The woman isn’t sorry. Wait, I take that back–she is sorry she’s missing out on being a friend to the new first lady! That’s all it is!

Many white people (particularly those in IR relationships) have risked being disinherited from their families, being shun, losing friends and social standing..to either be in romantic relationships with black people or friends.

So if Catherine, really had goodness in her heart, a sincere willingness to look outside of someone’s color–she would have defied her mother, would have demand her mother let her stay with her new roommate, would have if even forced by her parents (since they were paying afterall), to not room with Michelle–to at least befriend her outside of being roommates…

What kept her away from being Michelle friend on campus? I read another article, in which she stated–she often viewed the multicultural building on campus–where many students of colored gathered–with a “curiosity” and wondered about what “mystery” lay in that building (huh? just students studying like her)–she never went out of her way to befriend or learn about people of color–period.

so that’s why people are looking at her current “apology” as insincere and opportunistic!

I think she should just shut up and quit being a brown noser. She is trying to get attention and affiliate herself with the presidency..

Catherine,
YOU acted on your fears and rotten beliefs and now YOU must live with being on the outside of the inner circle. Rejoice, YOU put yourself there. Thank your mother for being the drum major of the pain that Michele must have felt at your trying to make her feel inferior. Whose feeling inferior now? If you were sincere, you’d have sought redemption a long time ago. Let’s see, you’ve been out of college how long? PLEASE.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how jumping to conclusions about people is alive and well!! Really heightens the hope that Obama is bringing to this country.

People can regret things without it being tied to celebrity. Reporters are going to Catherine for interviews, NOT vice versa.

This woman could easily say “But I stood up to my mother!!” But she’s NOT saying that. And she’s doing this in front of the world. All she has ever said is that she is regretful, and all of you are pulling all your self-righteous crap (“She feels entitled…” “she’s only doing this because Michelle’s the First Lady now..”.). Stop your chest thumping, because you’re all sheep.

Very brave and honest. I commend Catherine for speaking out. This was a very interesting lifestyle piece during an appropriate time.

And if someone gives her a book deal, I bet it won’t be on Oprah’s book club list.

Ha ha, I just KNEW I’d be accused of the things you brought up Dee, and whoever the other one is.
But as I said, sheep thinking is predictable and not very complex, so I’m not going to worry too much. Just enjoy your pseudo-comfort in your groupthink. More questioning minds will find better things than that.

oh yeah– “vacate the MOW premises,” too cute.

Marti

I graduated from Newman in 1985. (Our graduation was at an auditorium at Newcomb College. We women wore white dresses and carried bouquets; the guys wore formal wear. Afterwards were locked into a country club on the westbank for our graduation celebrations so we wouldn’t drink & drive.) I didn’t know Catherine very well. As I recall, she was poised and well spoken and was academically distinguished. I always regretted not knowning my classmates at Newman better, including her.

Fortunately with this story I am also reminded why I hated attending Newman and why i never bonded with much of my graduating class (though I desperately wanted to be like my self possessed wealthy classmates.) There were some loathesome beliefs lurking beneath those preppy facades.

I’m sure my former alma mater is SO proud of her. Oh wait, they probably voted for McCain and probably are proud of her for snubbing those uppity folks…

I would like to point out to everyone throwing around broad generalizations about entire groups of people that Michelle’s Mother-in-law was a White woman. Her sister-in-law (brother’s wife) is also a White woman. The Obama -Robinson family is one of the most diverse I’ve seen in a minute, so let’s talk about Catherine Donnelly.

I would also go into Obama’s campaign against Bobby Rush and how he owed his subsequent political success to the support of White voters, but for now, we’ll try to keep you focused on Catherine.

Oh, Marti. I see that I hit a raw nerve; things that we don’t want to hear, see or acknowledge can have a way of doing that.

I wish you well, and hope that one day you’ll see that opinions that don’t necessarily dovetail with your own do not pose you any threat or mean you any harm. I stand by every single one of my previous comments made here….

Admin, your comment about broad generalisations about entire groups of people was timely!

We cannot undo the things of the past…
These underlying thoughts are not much different from candidate views during the political campaign. The candidates were simply a little better at masking their emotion to be politically correct. The apology is “a day late and a dollar short” or more like 25 years late and a million dollars lost! A true and smart apology would have been to volunteer for The Obama Campaign instead of campaigning for lost causes. Regardless, this is passé.
The President of the United States and The First Lady have more interesting matters to discover in the national horizon.

Personally, I find the most pathetic thing about Catherine Rodriques-Donnelly is her need to shameless name-drop…Rather ironic considering that, but-for-her sudden revelation, no one would have known of her existence…How sad.

I pray that when Brown was a teacher that she did not have any African American students or that Donnelly does not have any African American clients to represent in Court. If so, I feel for them.

This has brought back memories of high school in Louisiana, on one occassion my dress was stuffed in the toilet with feces, everyday my teachers asked, how many negrees were in classed today? When there was no answer I was sent to the office for being disobedient. some of those same people that didn’t want me too enter at their front door are now living like cock roaches, but I still treat them as I would want to be treated. Mrs. Catherine R. Donnelly is doing what most white people do when they think it was ok at the time and now I have black friends , I can say I knew Mrs. Obama. Did she call her Michelle? or Michelle Obama, first lady? Catherine, you remind me of one of the characters on “Real Housewives of Orange County”, pick one. I feel sorry for her, because she thinks her gesture will create positive diolauge. I wonder what her husband does? where is momma?
Can a racist person change? yes, but Catherine leaves me guessing, she didn’t seen comfortable. I hope her children are grown or wouldn’t it be funny if her kids researched their family tree and brought home daddy cousin, sisters people, Tyiesha and Carlos. I’m going on line and research the name Donnelly and see what I can dig up. P. S. I did have a lot positive experiences in high school, thank God I made it it out without being beaten or worse.

I am really disturbed by those remarks. Yes, I agree, it is pathetic that having a black roomate was an insult to this family. Most of those remarks are prime example of racial prejudice. It goes both ways! Are you any different?

Dear Ms. Catherine Donelly,
I must congratulate you on your forthrightness during your interview with Don Lemmon on Jan. 17th. 2009. I could well imagine that those demons from the days of Princeton University with you room mate Michelle Obama, now the First Lady must have haunted you all these years. I am proud of you and your mother who admit that the thinking back then was wrong. I could well imagine that you must have followed the presidential campaign closely. Did you help in the campaign for President Obama? As a member of a minority group, I guess you now fully understand the pressures that minority groups experience. Have you met the President and First lady as yet? I would encourage you and your mother to visit sunny Barbados one day.

I’m just guessing, but Princeton doesn’t let just anyone attend it’s Ivy League school. And, back then, they probably visited the folks they admitted especially the black ones and even if they didn’t, only the best and brightest are admitted. So, you can probably assume that a black person at this University probably had some class, intelligence and as a woman esp back then, was not violent. Those were the days when mothers stayed home and raised their children. So, why not at the very least rationalize to that end.

Unfortunately, this conversation will not end for a long time. Racism exists for more groups now — the focus is just not on blacks anymore. It’s just now that the President is black that the dialogue has resurfaced.

Now is the time for Ms. Donnelly to bring this up. People need to see how in every circumstance that prejudice is pervasive how wrong it is. The more people are able to admit it to themselves and everyone else, the more others may examine their own delusional views regarding race and prejudice in this country.

And, remember blacks are still accomplishing firsts in this country — some kids going to college are still firsts, first black attorney general, and ultimately the 1st black president. And, even witht the first black President, some whites just think he’s different esp. since he was raised by a white family. And, those same whites still will look at other blacks the same, old negative way they always have. And, some whites probably call him the N—-R president.

This country was built on so many ism’s it’s ridiculous. So, the dialogue will continue.

I agree with most of what you said Mirakles. And, please note that I did actually say “assume” when mentioning class. However, I did go to college in the 80s in the not sooo deep south in Richmond, VA — where black students reported having shotguns from racist white men pointed in their faces threatening them to leave the area. Racism in the 80s was a hell of lot different than in the 2000s in some ways (although I work with someone who actually said that’s what I like about black people they can dance). These kids today have NO idea what racism is about and actually don’t believe it exists. I tried to talk to my nephew about it who goes to college in West VA and he looked at me like I had horns growing from my head. In the 80s some whites were still getting used to the idea of seeing blacks “up close,” but now students are not so surprised or upset with the idea of dealing with blacks on a more intimate level. But some things I still experience now that I did then — I’m still the only black in my office. I was the only black in some of my classes at VCU. I still get followed around stores. Folks still grab their purses when they see me coming (even when my purse is worth more than their entire wardrobe.) So, you’re right some things still haven’t changed.

But I hope they do.

Judging from the comments of the responders – often racist – nothing much changes does it – this woman’s message was clear so is the message from Michelle and Barack – reading these comments makes me wonder if people are HEARING the message. Please do not fall into the trap of thinking only white people are racist – that only white people act on their racism – it is on BOTH sides.

So listen again to the messages from the Obamas and yes from a person who admits the racism -

I am from New Orleans. The Rodrigue name tells me she spews from Chalmette with the residents better know as Chalmatians to native New Orleanians- the most prejudice folk in the suburb of the city. She stated she went to Isadore Newman School and she of all people, should have known how it felt to be an outsider because she was not independently wealthy. Trust me, she was considered trailer trash to the wealthy that attended Newman.