Showing posts with label Michelle Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michelle Obama. Show all posts

Monday, June 24, 2013

How Our First Lady Enabled Barack Obama to become Barack Obama

These words of beauty and wisdom were dropped last night by Camille at POU

"--Would Black People Have Still Backed Obama if was married to a white woman, or in the case with the Dark Girls doc, if he had been married to a mixed race woman?---"

michelle obama vogue

This goes well beyond colour and race -- in my opinion--

Let's just say that there wouldn't have been a viable candidate Obama without this particular woman, Michelle Obama, by his side---

And contrary to contemptuous bellyaching and envious musings in some quarters, Michelle Obama is simply not and will never be interchangeable with "Jane any woman will do/could have been/done Doe"--

Five years later and after his historic ascent to the presidency, it's far too easy to begin to forget just what it really took --

There's been this rather bizarre, but quite amusing tendency and corrupt instinct by some - and even a few on the president's team, to begin to try to revise stuff -- to downplay the singular importance of this very unassuming but fiercely intelligent, wise, strong, warm, witty, grounded, principled, passionate, astute, dignified, elegant, unspoiled, unaffected, sensible, insightful, dedicated, loyal, disciplined, genuine, sincere, family-oriented and all around amazing woman with whom he has taken this journey together--

I'm not just talking the incredible sacrifices she made for him to live out his dreams and ambitions while she practically gave up all of hers to support his noble aspirations--

She was after all the one who even though 3 years younger than he, was already for all intents and purposes, on the fast track --practicing law at one of the most prestigious Law firms in the country after having made her way against far too many odds, and in what is still very much a story of triumph, from the SouthSide of Chicago to Princeton and then on to Harvard Law school--

He very lovingly and respectfully courted her; and she married him.

If she were looking for easy street or seeking an already made man - which he certainly wasn't -- or an immediately guaranteed future and someone with already actualized "potential" , I think she could have very easily focused on nabbing herself an already established man of which there were many in her newly emerged world-- Because we all know too well that they as a couple, had to struggle and together stretch their scant resources in the early days--

She'd effectively put her own ambitions on ice, bore and terrifically raised their beautiful daughters - even while he was often away pursuing his ambitions---and together they made a humanly perfect family of which she was the principal architect -- with her strength of character, strong values and deep respect and appreciation for the various levels and role of family and its many players - nuclear and extended; order, structure and a great sense of the importance of deeply assured security and love for the children they'd brought into the world together--

michelle obama-1

When they finally emerged as a couple and family on the national political stage, they thrilled not just Americans of all stripes --- even those who wanted desperately to hate them couldn't help the smiles that came to their faces when the saw this family--- and the whole world fell completely and utterly in love with them as a unit--

The world watched as Michelle Obama -- a very private woman widely known to be averse to politics for all its many awful, corrupt, cutthroat, ignoble and dehumanizing forms ---stepped out -- put herself out there to support and vouch for her husband in the most powerfully moving and compelling of ways --- and as only she could possibly ever have--

Their connection is powerful and their synergy incredible--- They compliment each other in the most powerful and wonderful of ways---

And when he soared, she stepped back to let him shine --never resentful of his success and only proudly cheering him on, fiercely protective of him and intent on guarding his conscience, focus and brilliance and the motivating dreams for a greater good that'd they'd sacrificed so much of themselves and their family for---

So no, it was never really about the colour of Michelle Obama's skin as much as it was about the content of her character--

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Michelle Obama Looked Fierce at State Dinner For Mexico's President

Michelle Obama looked especially fierce for this weeks State Dinner for Mexico's President and First Lady.





Although the Republican Party's right wing media trashed her.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Michelle Obama Compared to Gorilla


A Republican Operative in South Carolina was reportedly caught making disparaging remarks against First Lady Michelle Obama, comparing her to a Gorilla. The comments were left on Facebook and were apparently a response to local news reports about an Ape escaping from the local zoo.

According to FITSNews, former State Senate candidate Rusty DePass made a comment on Friday on the Internet site Facebook, describing the escaped gorilla at Riverbanks Zoo as an "ancestor" to First Lady Michelle Obama.

The comment was made after Trey Walker, an advisor to SC Attorney General Henry McMaster, posted a Facebook update about the escaped animal at the zoo. DePass posted a comment stating, "I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors - probably harmless."

The Facebook entry was quickly removed, but someone supposedly was able to obtain a screen capture:



Will Republican politicians be forced by the media to reject and denounce Mr. DePass?

See full report here

See Daily Kos entry

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Happy Birthday Michelle Obama


Happy Birthday to the Next First Lady:
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Le Monde Publishes Never-Before-Seen 1996 Interview With Obamas About Their Marriage


Original article in Le Monde

From Political Punch:
Mr. Obama was not speaking in French; his words had been translated.

And in fact he hadn't uttered them in more than 12 years.

The French newspaper Le Monde on Saturday took the Obama team by surprise by publishing an interview with Barack and Michelle Obama from 1996 in which the two spoke at length about their marriage, only four years after they were wed, and two years before their oldest daughter Malia was born.

Many themes will not surprise those who know or follow the Obamas.

Sitting down to talk about their future the same year Obama eventually ended up running for state senate (and winning), his wife Michelle in the interview expresses reservations about whether a life in politics is what they want.

And while her husband is less uncertain of his calling, he wonders aloud about his ability to maintain a balance between private and public life. He also sounds out some notes about restoring civility in discourse to public life and the notion that we're all in this together, themes that have stayed with him throughout his career up through this week.

The interview, entitled "An Intimate Conversation with Michelle and Barack Obama," was conducted for a book about American marriages and was never published before today. The story was noticed in Le Monde by Tom McCarthy at the ABC News desk and translated from the French by Maeva Bambuck and Jean Fievet in ABC News' London bureau. (When assessing the precise accuracy of the quotes below, keep in mind they have now been translated from English to French to English.)

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Media Alert: Michelle Obama


All Things Considered, January 7, 2009 (click on link to listen to the interview with the Editors of the book)· In churches or beauty shops or anyplace where groups of women gather — especially black women — it is not uncommon for them to talk about the advice they would like to pass on to the incoming First Lady.

A group of women in upstate New York went one step further and decided to publish their words of wisdom for Michelle Obama in a book called Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady.

The poems and letters were compiled by two education specialists, Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram, who are co-founders of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women at the University of Buffalo in New York.

The idea blossomed after the Obamas were portrayed as fist-thumping terrorists on a New Yorker magazine cover last July.

"The idea was growing really throughout the primary as we … were watching Michelle coming forward and taking on a more active role and becoming a person that we could identify with and that we liked," Nevergold tells NPR's Michele Norris.


I love the thought of Black women taking the initiative to do this book IN THEIR OWN VOICE. You can purchase it here.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Media Alert: Michelle Obama



Ta-Nehisi Coates has written a very good article about our future First Lady.

Entitled, American Girl, it will be in the January/February 2009 issue of The Atlantic Magazine. Be sure to click on the left side for the video interview with his father on this article.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Media Alert: The Obamas


The President-Elect and the Future First Lady have done an interview with CNN's Suzanne Malveaux. It will air tonight and Sunday at 8 p.m. EST

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Designers Suggestions for Michelle and the WeeMichelles' Inaugural Threads




Check here for the slideshow

Media Alert

On Newsstands December 12th, Alternating Covers of the Obamas:


On Newsstands December 9th:

(I like this cover far more than the Essence cover. It looks almost timeless…historical. Ebony, whatever your criticism of the inside of the magazine, has consistently presented the Black community looking its best)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Michelle Obama - The Racial Rorschach Test - Update



On a routine basis, knowledge is dropped from the field.

From Miranda:
I honestly think some people are uncomfortable with seeing this black woman on a pedestal...because we're supposed to clean the pedestal, or build the pedestal, or help somebody up onto the pedestal or there's this wierd feminazi stance that we're supposed to be offended by the pedestal because........I really dont know why - no one's clued me in on that part.

But a bonafide sistah? we're not supposed to be helped up onto the pedestal by our King and sit up there in all our glory because that's where he wants us to be and that's where you deserve to be. Oh no....I think its really bothering some folks to see this Queen.


What set this off was a discussion about how Michelle Obama was being criticized for saying that she was going to be the ' Mom-In-Chief'. That I had seen more than one article like this one at Salon:
The momification of Michelle Obama
The next first lady is an accomplished lawyer. But with the media focused on her clothes and family, Bamalot is starting to look a lot like Camelot

You know the criticism: with all of Michelle Obama's edjumacation, why would she say that her first job would be ' Mom-In-Chief'?

I would reply:

Michelle Obama has 2 small children that she wants to prevent from becoming subjects of an ' E! True Hollywood Story'. Black women know that means HANDS ON PARENTING. Why is this so hard for people to believe that this woman means for her children to THRIVE in this world? Are they so unaccomsted to seeing a devoted Black mother that they're twitching with nervousness?

Why is it difficult to believe that Michelle Obama would put her children first? Did you not read the stories about her? How she took an infant Sasha with her to a job interview? The type of security and self-assurance of a woman who would do that? The statement, ever so quiet, but strong that it made?

She seems to have an actual MARRIAGE, which means that it will be up to HER to try and carve out a portion of the world for the future President that is REAL...that he can decompress from the pressures of being President.

Add into it that she's the first Black First Lady, and if she did everything the same that Laura Bush did, it would be different, JUST BECAUSE MICHELLE OBAMA IS DOING IT.

From where I sit, that means Michelle Obama will be busy from sun up to sun down for the next 4, hopefully 8 years.

I don't know what the hell these folks want Michelle Obama to do.

Actually, I do know...they want her to be another Hillary Clinton.

But, Michelle Obama would NEVER, and I mean NEVER, put Barack Obama in that position. She would never disrespect Barack Obama that way by overreaching. She would NEVER undermine his Presidency that way.

I have been a critic of mainstream feminism because I simply don't believe it has anything to do with Black women or their lives. I believe Black women have never wanted to be separated from the men in their lives, and don't want, in general to compete with them. Because of the legacy of our families being torn asunder, I believe we have a tradition of holding hard to our families.

And, as an astute Michelle Obama Watch commenter noted, "We’ve always had to have it all. When were we able to NOT work? You learn a lot after 350 years of “juggling."

Yes, Michelle Obama radiates the confidence of a woman that is loved and cherished. And, why not? She was, by all accounts, adored by her father. Fathers are as important to daughters as they are to sons. From the right kind of father, a girl learns self-confidence, a sense of worth, and a sense of self-value that tells you - ' Baby, don't you even think about settling for less'. And, when a girl like that, grows into a woman, she looks for- no demands - that the man who wants to be her mate, step correct. Why would she give up being valued, when she knows nothing else? So, yes, she marries a man who loves and values her. Treats her like a Queen. And in return, she treats him like a King. It does not diminish her to treat her husband like a King. It does not diminish her to have a strong, caring man as Head of the Household. It is a comfort. It is a relief. It helps a woman sleep better at night.

For the critics, I ask this:

Why shouldn't Michelle Obama have all of that?

Just what do you think she's ' given up' to be Barack Obama's wife and life partner?


Personally, I see a woman who has it all. And does it oh so well.

________________________

Related Posts

Original Post -Michelle Obama as Latest Racial Rorschach Test

Update #1- Michelle Obama as Racial Rorschach Test

Friday, November 14, 2008

Media Alert



‘60 Minutes’ Books First Post-Election Interview of Obama
By Bill Carter


“60 Minutes” has landed the first post-election interview of President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, for this coming Sunday.

CBS News announced Thursday that the Obamas would sit down Friday in Chicago to speak with the “60 Minutes” correspondent Steve Kroft. The interview is expected to fill more than one segment on the broadcast. It may fill the entire hour.

Mr. Kroft last week interviewed Mr. Obama’s senior staff about the planning of his campaign. The program attracted more than 18 million viewers, the most of any show in television last week.

In August, Mr. Kroft and “60 Minutes” also presented the first joint interview with Mr. Obama and his running mate, Joseph R. Biden Jr.


The Obamas are also on pretty much every 'life' magazine/tabloid this upcoming week: People, US, Life & Style, OK, Star.

The Obamas gave their first post-election interview to EBONY.

The following is from Ebony's announcement of its coup of its interview yesterday:

The exclusive interview and cover shoot, held at the headquarters of Johnson Publishing Co. in Chicago, will be the centerpiece of Ebony magazine's January 2009 commemorative issue, which goes on sale nationwide Tuesday, December 9.

President-elect Obama spoke to Ebony magazine editorial director Bryan Monroe on a wide range of issues, including his historic election and international reaction, the future of America and how he hopes to tap the enthusiasm of the millions of supporters who have been mobilized by his election.

"I'm very humbled by the fact that I stand on the shoulders of all the people who made these incredible contributions to lift this country up," Obama told Ebony on Thursday.

Friday, November 07, 2008

Unexpected Moments




From the comments:

Myth


I think the full impact and significance of Barack's ascension to power will hit African Americans at different points and at different times. It was early on for me when I could first realize the possiblity and all that our people have gone through. I think there will be other times though, maybe as Donna Brazile says when he walks down those steps to take the oath or maybe one day on a news clip when his standing in a tuxedo for a state dinner with dignitaries. There will be many times that chills will go through our bodies at the site of something we never thought we would see and for many the emotion will overcome us and for others it'll just be muming under our breaths the words "unbelievable'. But the next four years will be good for the souls of black folk. And for those of us truly committed to going the distance with Barack in the good and bad times, we'll make our way to the 'tv to support him as we will this afternoon for the press conference. Unless he really does something to disappoint, he will have the unfaltering loyalty of African Americans throughout this whole ride. This is a once in a lifetime chance for most of us to take this journey. Now it will be nice if others come after this trail he blazed, but I do believe we will follow him as though its our one and only shot. He will be appreciative.


I've been thinking about some of 'those moments'.

My list so far:
1.Michelle holding the Bible on January 20, 2009.
2. The first time Michelle enters the White House as First Lady (no, we won't be able to see that)
3. When they meet the fully assembled White House staff (no, we won't be able to see that)
4. The first time he boards AIR FORCE ONE
5. The first State Dinner (I'll be glued to C-Span. I hope Leticia Baldridge is still alive and is the usual C-Span guest)
6. State of the Union, 2009. I'm going to be chilled twice:

MADAM SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
(to be honest, I'm still not used to ' Madam Speaker'. So, the combo of that and 'The President of the United States' - damn)

7. Black History Month at The White House, February 2009
8. President Obama and Mrs. Obama at Buckingham Palace
9. President Obama and Mrs. Obama on an official overseas trip to Africa
10. President Obama's first G8 Summit
11. The HGTV Special, Christmas at the White House

Anyone want to share what they think will be their ' unexpected moments'?

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

The Next First Lady: Michelle Obama






As a confessed Michelle-a-holic, this brought me to tears this morning:

From Craig Hickman:

Everyone knows I love Barack. But I love his wife even more.

A Black woman born Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, a descendant of auction blocks and Daughter of the Ghetto, with chocolate-brown skin and wide hips is going to be the First Lady of the United States of America. That completely blows my mind.

Sojourner "Ain't I A Woman?" Truth is dancing



(images by AP or Getty)


I've posted this numerous times over the course of this campaign, but I'm going to have to do it again.

From the comments at Skeptical Brotha, May 2007:

yogo
May 24, 2007 at 1:34 pm


I joke a lot about these two, but something sticks out at me about the whole campaign. especially after seeing this interview:

I like her. And not because of any strong this and that, she just seems genuine.

Is America ready for a First Lady who looks like her? A regular black woman? Not a passable biracial curly girl that they call black, but a regular black woman from the south side of Chicago? With dark skin?

Is she going to be the face of The Woman on the largest pedestal in the country? A self-confessed “loud-mouth” black woman?

If they succeed, it turns white supremacy upside down. And not, in my opinion, because a black man is in the White House, it’s because a black woman is in there. And she didn’t have to come in the back door to lie in bed with the president.



FIRST LADY Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama

Monday, November 03, 2008

1 Day And Counting - The 14 Speeches of the Obama Campaign: #1, Michelle Obama at the DNC

August 25, 2008: Denver, Colorado - Michelle Obama at the DNC Convention

Michelle's Introductory Film





Michelle Obama's Speech to the Nation



Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Michelle Obama Thread

Michelle Obama was on The Tonight Show. Here are the clips from that:


Part 1





Part 2




There's a NYTimes article from today about Michelle too:

New to Campaigning, but No Longer a Novice

Monday, October 27, 2008

Media Alert




Michelle Obama will be on The Tonight Show this evening.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

10 Days And Counting - The 14 Speeches of the Obama Campaign: #10, Michelle Obama - See the possibilities

November 20, 2007: Another Michelle Obama fantastic speech in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She is magnificent here.