Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

Michelle recounts her early childhood in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago, where she lives with her family in a modest brick bungalow owned by her great-aunt Robbie. The house is filled with the persistent sound of piano students practicing, a backdrop to Michelle’s formative years. Robbie, a strict and formidable piano teacher, demands excellence from her students, including Michelle, who sees her as both a mentor and a challenging figure to win over. Despite the rigidity of Robbie's methods, Michelle finds joy and satisfaction in learning the piano, motivated by a desire to succeed and a love for music inherited from her grandfather, Southside, a jazz enthusiast and carpenter.

Michelle’s childhood is marked by a close-knit family life, with her parents instilling in her a love for reading, art, and jazz, and her brother Craig sharing a strong, protective bond with her. The family navigates a changing America, with the civil rights movement and racial tensions shaping the world outside their tight-knit community. Inside their home, however, they focused on education, hard work, and the joy of simple pleasures.

The author reflects on her early school experiences and her life in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago. Starting kindergarten at Bryn Mawr Elementary in 1969, Michelle arrives with a head start in reading, influenced by her mother and driven by her desire to excel. Her first challenge in school comes with a reading exercise where she stumbles on the word “white,” but determinedly seeks a do-over and earns her teacher’s recognition.

At home, Michelle engages in imaginative play with her dolls and her brother Craig’s G.I. Joe figures, creating complex storylines. Due to her tidy nature and desire for control, Michelle limits interactions with neighborhood children to prevent them from meddling with her dolls.

The chapter also delves into the increasing racial segregation and broader social changes in her neighborhood, as exemplified by Michelle’s visit to the suburban home of family friends, the Stewarts, which ends on a sour note when they find their car vandalized. However, her father reacts calmly to the incident, and the family decides to stay in the city.

Michelle describes how her normally carefree brother Craig develops increasing anxiety, particularly about house fires. His fear intensifies after a classmate dies in a house fire, and he appoints himself the family fire marshal, conducting drills to ensure everyone knows their escape routes.

Michelle’s social confidence continues to grow as she accompanies her father on his precinct visits. Her family’s strong sense of community and extended family gatherings played a significant role in her upbringing. Her maternal grandfather, Southside, creates a welcoming atmosphere, while her paternal grandfather, Dandy, is more rigid and demanding, often shouting at the television and expressing frustration at the world.

Michelle recounts an experience with a distant cousin who asked, “How come you talk like a white girl?” (41), which forces her to confront the complexities of identity and the expectations placed on her by both her family and society.

Michelle describes her daily school life and the strong bond she forms with her close group of friends. They often spent their lunch breaks at her home, sharing stories and enjoying the company of her supportive mother, who uses these moments to stay connected with their world. Michelle reflects on her education at Bryn Mawr Elementary, noting the school’s challenges and her mother’s proactive role in the PTA to improve conditions. She benefits from a special program for higher-performing students, which fosters her competitive spirit and love for learning.

At home, Michelle’s mother is a constant source of stability and creativity, managing their modest household with resourcefulness and a calm demeanor. Michelle shares memories of her mother’s practical wisdom, like advising her to focus on the value of learning from a disliked teacher. As Michelle enters her teenage years, she becomes more independent, develops close friendships with the Gore sisters, and experiences the excitement of first crushes and social interactions. Michelle also talks about her family’s dynamics, including her father’s health challenges and her parents’ strong yet quietly complex marriage, which highlights how the early experiences shaped her resilience and outlook on life.

As Michelle begins high school, her mother returns to work as an executive assistant at a bank, a change that brings in needed financial support for the family, especially as her brother Craig is attending a costly Catholic school and preparing for college. Craig excels in basketball and academics, attracting attention from Division I colleges, but their parents prioritize his education over his achievements in sports.

Michelle shares her experience at Whitney M. Young High School, a magnet school aimed at integrating students across race and class lines. The diverse student body and new environment initially make her feel out of place, but she gradually builds confidence through academic achievements and the support of her friends. Santita Jackson, daughter of Reverend Jesse Jackson, who is intelligent and politically aware, becomes one of Michelle’s closest friends, and they often discuss life and their future aspirations.

However, Michelle’s college aspirations are challenged when a school counselor doubts her potential to be accepted to or succeed at Princeton, saying, “I’m not sure that you’re Princeton material” (65). This remark fuels Michelle’s determination, and with the support of her assistant principal, Mr. Smith, she applies and is accepted to Princeton.

Michelle recounts her journey to Princeton University in the summer of 1981. Her father and her boyfriend, David, accompany her on the trip. Michelle attends a special summer orientation program for minority and low-income students, aimed at helping them adjust to college life. Eager to begin this new chapter, she also grapples with the unspoken end of her relationship with David.

Michelle finds Princeton to be a stark contrast to her previous school experiences. The predominantly white and male student body makes her feel out of place. However, she adapts by finding solace and community at the Third World Center, a support hub for students of color, where she forms close friendships, particularly with Suzanne Alele, a free-spirited student who brings joy and spontaneity into her life.

Michelle’s work-study job at the Third World Center introduces her to Czerny Brasuell, a dynamic and inspiring mentor who encourages her to think critically and broaden her horizons. This mentorship, along with her responsibilities in an after-school program she creates and runs, provides Michelle with valuable experiences and insights.

The chapter also touches on her family, particularly her father’s health struggles due to multiple sclerosis. Despite his worsening condition, her father remains a source of strength and comfort, never complaining and always supporting her. Toward the end of the chapter, Michelle adds a series of personal photographs with captions that highlight significant moments and relationships in her life. These images include her family, childhood memories, her time at Princeton, her relationship with Barack Obama, and their growing family.

Michelle shares her college experiences at Princeton, where she feels the distance from home and the challenge of adapting to a predominantly white and privileged environment. Despite the differences, Michelle carves out a space for herself, pursuing a sociology major and forming close friendships with her roommates, Suzanne and Angela. Additionally, Aunt Sis, a relative living in Princeton, provides a connection to Michelle’s Southern roots, hosting dinners that subtly connect Michelle and her brother Craig to their family’s past.

The chapter also addresses the personal losses Michelle faces, including the deaths of her great-aunt Robbie and grandfather, Southside. These events emphasize the generational changes within her family and deepen her appreciation for her roots.

As graduation approaches, Michelle remains focused on her goals, applying to prestigious law schools and ultimately attending Harvard Law School. Despite not feeling passionate about law, she continues striving for success, driven by a need for approval and validation.

Upon graduating, Michelle secures a job at the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she finds herself on a new professional path. The chapter concludes, hinting at a significant meeting on the horizon, one that will change her life forever, as she agrees to mentor a promising young law student named Barack Obama.

Michelle details her initial encounter and budding relationship with Barack Obama. She describes her busy life as a junior lawyer at Sidley & Austin, where she balances long hours with her need for social interaction. Despite her skepticism about Barack, who has a stellar reputation at Harvard and is rumored to be both brilliant and charming, she’s tasked with mentoring him during his summer associate position.

Barack makes an impression on Michelle with his confidence, diverse background, and earnestness. Raised in Hawaii and Indonesia, with experience as a community organizer in Chicago, Barack possesses a unique perspective that Michelle finds refreshing. Their conversations are easy and engaging, and they quickly form a close friendship, often spending time together discussing their lives and aspirations.

Despite her initial resistance to the idea of dating him, Michelle finds herself increasingly drawn to Barack. His casual demeanor, intelligence, and sincerity begin to break down her reservations. She observes his interactions with colleagues and his graceful athleticism, which further deepens her admiration for him, and marks the beginning of their romantic relationship.