Eric Holder (left), Michelle Obama and Magic Johnson. AP photo composite by POLITICO
via WaPo: First lady Michelle Obama brought her passion for mentoring to this beleaguered blue-collar city, urging a crowd of some 5,000 high school students -- and an equal number of grown-ups -- to "fight for every inch of your future."
[photos via Reuters]
She preached a no-nonsense, motivational message to young people, urging them to take responsibility for their own lives as well as the welfare of their community. But from the start of her speech, which lasted about 15 minutes, Obama made it clear that she was not only speaking to students, but to every resident of this city -- a place that is often held up as an example of all that has gone wrong with industrial economies, modern families and government itself.
"The last thing any of you need is someone to come here and tick off statistics, to tell you what you already know is going on in your own lives," Obama said to a cheering crowd that was sweating -- and occasionally wilting -- under the bright Wednesday morning sun. "I'm here because I know something that I want everyone in America to know -- and that there is a brighter, better future ahead for Detroit."
"Despite what some may think they know about this city, what I know is there is plenty of hope here."
Some of the other mentors joining first lady Michelle O:
• Attorney General Eric Holder
• Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
• Dan Mulhern, First Gentleman of Michigan
• Dave Bing, Mayor of Detroit
• Yvette Bing, wife of Mayor of Detroit
• Cathie Black, CEO of Hearst Magazines
• Robin Givhan, The Washington Post
• Susan Taylor, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Essence Magazine and Founder, National CARES Mentoring Movement
• Kimberly Locke, Singer
• Spike Lee, Actor and Director
• Magic Johnson, Basketball Player
• Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick
• Congressman John Conyers
• Mrs. Barbara Levin, Member of Congressional Spouses Club
• Mrs. Deborah Dingell, Member of Congressional Spouses Club
• Joe Clancy, Special Agent in Charge, Presidential Protective Division, United States Secret Service
• Denise Ilitch, Owner of Detroit Redwings and Michigan Board of Regents
• Lloyd Carr, former football coach for University of Michigan
• David Segura, CEO of VisionIT Inc.
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