Michelle Obama Candidly Reflects on Election With Oprah: 'We're Feeling What Not Having Hope Feels Like'

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Michelle Obama wants us to get past our divisions.

As she prepares to leave the White House, the first lady is candidly discussing race and class with Oprah Winfrey in her last interview before President Barack Obama's second term comes to a close.

"Color, wealth, these things that don't matter still play too much of a role in how we see one another," the 52-year-old first lady shares. "It's sad, because the thing that least defines us as people is the color of our skin."

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During the interview, Michelle also speaks about the hopeful tone of her husband's presidency and, without mentioning President-elect Donald Trump by name, suggests that feeling may not extend into the next administration.

"We feel the difference now," she explains. "We’re feeling what not having hope feels like. Hope is necessary. It’s a necessary concept."

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"Barack didn’t talk about hope just because he thought it was a nice slogan to get votes," she adds. "He and I and so many believe. What else do you have if you don’t have hope?"

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Michelle's final interview as first lady will air Monday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT on CBS.

Watch the video below for more from the sit-down, including what the first lady plans to do after she leaves the White House.

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