"The shards that cut the deepest were intended to cut," says Michelle Obama of her First Lady years.

Former first lady Michelle Obama has spoken about the racism she faced during her eight years in the White House.

It’s enough to give you chills.

“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” she told the Women’s Foundation of Colorado on Tuesday night, the Denver Post reports.

“Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”

The 53-year-old lawyer, who has been a strong advocate for educating girls and supporting military families, was once referred to as an “ape in heels” during the Obama administration.

Obama also spoke on health and nutrition, as well as female empowerment, telling the audience how women from all backgrounds stand up to adversity every day.

"Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we don’t even notice we’re cut," she said. "We are living with small tiny cuts and we are bleeding every single day—and we’re still getting up."

Finally, she spoke about fear, urging Americans to remember: Their neighbours are good people.

"The people in this country are universally good and kind and honest and decent," she said. "Don’t be afraid of the country you live in. The folks here are good."

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