Watch Michelle Obama Say: 'You Feel Justified in Your Ignorance, That's America'

Brad Fox | March 18, 2015

"You feel justified in your ignorance, that's America," Michelle Obama told the crowd at a speech at University of South Carolina in 2008 a week before the South Carolina Democratic Primary and two months before her husband secured the Democrat nomination.

Mrs. Obama also told the audience that they "like their fear" because "Fear makes people feel comfortable."

Transcript:

“Folks don’t like to change, they like feeling safe, whether it’s right or wrong. People like their fear. Fear makes people feel comfortable, because at least: "I know I’m afraid of something, let’s guard against the something I’m afraid of." We don’t like being pushed outside of our comfort zones. You know it right here on this campus, some folks are sitting at different tables, ya’ll living in different dorms, I was there . . . ya’ll are not talking to each other. . .taking advantage of the fact that you’re in this diverse community, because sometimes it’s easier to hold onto your own stereotypes and misconceptions. It makes you feel justified in your ignorance, that’s America.”