Marian Robinson, the first lady's mother, explains why she is backing Obama's re-election

theGRIO REPORT - Marian Robinson has taken a rare step into the spotlight with an op-ed she wrote for the latest edition of Essence magazine, in which she expresses her support for her son-in-law's re-election as president...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, has played a largely low-key role when it comes to politics.

Although she resides in the White House, her duties have mostly consisted in pitching in to help raise Barack and Michelle’s two young daughters Sasha and Malia.

However, Robinson has taken a rare step into the spotlight with an op-ed she wrote for the latest edition of Essence magazine, in which she expresses her support for her son-in-law’s re-election as president.

The text of her piece reads in part:

“I admire how hard Barack works. And I know that he does it because he wants to make sure that this country is still a place where you can make it if you try. He wants to make sure that a college education is affordable and attainable so that all parents can encourage their kids to reach for it, just like Fraser and I did. He wants to make sure that moms and dads can provide for their families, and folks my age can retire with dignity and security. And he wants every child to believe that they can achieve their dreams, no matter where they come from, what they look like or how much money their parents make. That’s what makes him work so hard. I’ve seen it from him and I’ve heard it from him. And that’s why I’ll be voting for him in November, and I hope you do, too.”

To read the entire op-ed you’ll have to grab the new issue of Essence which is on newsstands now.

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