whatever you want and i think about that in the context of michelle obama's paternal grandfather fraser robinson junior. he came from south carolina he came to better himself. he didn't see much of a future for young man like him in south carolina. and he was very mindful that he did not have the opportunity that so many other white people people -- we people did in michelle said if my grandfather would abort them born like he would have been a bank president. as it happened he worked in the post office. the federal government was a way in for many african-americans in

and as one of fraser robinson's friends said fraser, michelle's father was about the business of being in the business. you get on with it, you do your work. and you do a little bit better than your parents and your kids will do a little of bit better than you. >> host: you say in the book that all of these parents had a larger message in there upbringing rooted in the paradox of seemingly -- ideas. there was quote the conviction that a combination of love support perseverance and upright living. it went out. >> guest: very much a story heard for many people. one of the player that for most of all patrick. i remember duval was the governor of massachusetts. he grew up on the southside. he's a little bit older then michelle robinson, mrs. obama now and he talked about the lessons he learned and there was fundamental message of hitting on with it but at the same time parents in his case a grandmother who had who endured racial hostility were saying yesterday exists and it's important to note that exist but do not let it stop you. you can still be whatever you want and i think about that

fraser robinson was born in 1359 on the south side of chicago. his parents had come north. his father has come north in the great migration. he went to local high school, he went into the army, he was a boxer, he was a swimmer and he really was the heart and soul of his family. he was the oldest brother. he was gregarious. he was seen as kind. he work as a democratic precinct captain where he was solving problems at the very local street level in chicago at a difficult time, and he spun stories and he shared his values as of course did michelle's mother at the same time. and michelle was particularly close to her father. up until his death. >> host: he had suffered from multiple sclerosis. hough did seeing him get up and go to work every day in that state affect her. >> guest: something that michelle obama talks about. she said i never saw my father run, and yet she and craig her older brother watched their father get up every day and go and work at the city water plant, even as he had much -- worsening case of multiple sclerosis, and she admired his determination, his prid