An endless line of people wraps the bookstore. As the author calls out to the next girl who waits patiently, the girl slowly steps forward with her book in hand waiting to be signed. As she makes eye contact with the woman who inspired her for years, she cries in joy and struggles to find the right words to say. She’s about to meet Michelle Obama.
“Becoming,” the Netflix documentary that debuted on May 6, portrays an inspiring and heartfelt journey based on the former First Lady’s 2018 memoir of the same title. The film focuses on race and takes the viewer on a journey of personal difficulties Michelle Obama experienced throughout her life, while adding humorous aspects that all tie-in together to create an enlightening piece.
While most of the documentary moves at a slow pace, one of the more compelling scenes that grabbed my attention was when Mrs. Obama speaks to smaller groups of teenagers. They ask her questions about how she overcame her sense of isolation growing up in Chicago while attending Whitney Young Magnet High School. They also ask her for advice on how to avoid becoming just a “stat” in the world. The questions and issues that the teenagers raise are revealing and relevant to all viewers, especially teenagers like myself who are trying to forge their path in the world.