Michelle Obama’s powerful Democratic National Convention speech endorsing Hillary Clinton made for a commanding and passionate opening night for the event.
During an address that hit hard on themes of childhood, race and gender, she spoke about the visit of a five-year-old black boy to the White House who wanted to know if the President’s hair was like his.
“We know that our words and actions matter, not just to our girls, but to children across this country,” Ms Obama said.
“Kids like the little black boy who looked up at my husband, his eyes wide with hope, and he wondered, ‘Is my hair like yours’?
“And make no mistake about it, this November when we go to the polls, that is what we’re deciding… who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years.”
The incident itself took place during the early months of Barack Obama’s presidency. During a visit to the Oval Office with his family, the boy, named Jacob, said to the President: “I want to know if my hair is just like yours”.
According to an account in the New York Times, he spoke so quietly Mr Obama asked him to repeat himself.
Then the President replied: “Why don’t you touch it and see for yourself,” bowing his head level with Jacob, who hesitated.
“Touch it dude!” Mr Obama said.
The boy then felt the President’s head.
“So what do you think?” Mr Obama asked.
“Yes, it does feel the same”, Jacob confirmed.
The moment was captured by White House photographer Pete Souza and has become an iconic image that has remained on the wall in the White House ever since.
