Comments on: Can whites also be offended on Michelle’s behalf?

By: rikyrah

rikyrah — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:23:08 +0000

I would love for them to be offended on Michelle’s behalf, but I’m heartened in that we aren’t WAITING for them to be offended. We’re getting out there and defending Michelle Obama on our own. If they’d like to join the fight, they are welcome, but I’m through sitting around waiting for them to notice the attacks on Michelle Obama. I believe, as a Black woman, I don’t have the ‘ luxury’ of contemplating whether or not the attacks on Michelle Obama ‘offend’ me.

By: hawa

hawa — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:36:30 +0000

ADMIN said: “Your personal values drive what offends you and I don’t need permission to be offended about anyone or anything.”

hehe. `I’m lovin’ it. Well said, ADMIN !

By: admin

admin — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:25:05 +0000

I don’ tthink it is a matter of being offended on someone else’s behalf. There are things that happen to other people that don’t offend them, but I get indignant for them. Mistreating another human being bothers me whether that individual is offended or not. I see women all the time who have no problem with being mistreated and objectified, well I DO!

Thank goodness White folks get offended on Black folk’s behalf. Abolitionists were not enslaved, but they still were morally offended.

Freedom riders could vote, but they were still morally offended that others could not vote.

I have no doubt that there are things we get offended by on this blog that Michelle doesn’t care about. That’s not the point.

Your personal values drive what offends you and I don’t need permission to be offended about anyone or anything.

By: FakeMichelle Obama

FakeMichelle Obama — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:53:56 +0000

Offensive behavior is offensive behavior and no matter what color, religion, creed, sex or sexual orientation you are you should be able to speak out with authority and legitimacy against offensive, abusive behavior no matter who it is happening to. White people or anyone else can be as offended as they want to be and speak loudly and proudly about how real Michelle is being treated. The treatment she is receiving is simply reprehensible.

The class of abused and exploited can’t be the only ones who claim the “legitimate” ability to express the depth of our insult and outrage on behalf of each other. What if the people of Darfur decided that they were the only ones to “legitimately” be appalled by their situation or who could “credibly” speak to their depth of suffering?. Would they get as much help if no one else had permission to speak on their behalf? Same goes for victims of child sexual abuse and other abused and mistreated groups of the world.

If we are to overcome the societal abuse it is absolutely essential that others, not like us, feel our pain and be able to epathetically speak out on our behalf in a way that reaches other, who are also not like us, so that a critical mass is touched, inspired and driven to join the struggle. Speak on my non-black sisters. and brothers…speak on.

By: erinelizabeth

erinelizabeth — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:13:47 +0000

Uh, I’m white, and I’m constantly offended on Michelle’s behalf. I think I have a responsibility to educate my mostly (okay, entirely) white, mostly well-meaning liberal circle of influence about assumed privilege.

In response to AJPLAID, I want to assure you that I would never assume to dictate to anyone whose experiences I did not share what they should be offended at. It’s not my place. Which isn’t to say it doesn’t happen. Unfortunately. Ugh.

By: AJPlaid

AJPlaid — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:37:40 +0000

Hmmm…I’d love for white people to be offended at the attacks against Michelle and the weeMichelles. I want them to explain to white folks who fancy themselves to be liberal (I’m thinking about the New York Times coverage that rikyrah and Admin point out) why constantly portraying Michelle as a “strong (meant perjoratively), angry Black woman” is horribly racist and sexist–the opposite of the connotation of a “liberal.”

What I wouldn’t love is for white people, thinking that they’re being well-intended, got a degree in African Diaspora Studies and feel like they got the “authority,” or whatever reasons they may have–dictate to PoCs, especially us Black women, what *we* should be offended at, as if they can set the agenda. IMO, allies ask if and how they can help–and listen to the answer given, even if it’s painful to hear–not presume that they can and should and not listen at all. Two white allies I can think of who’ve taken umbrage at the attacks are Tim Wise and Cara at the Curvature.

And not just white (and straight) people. Why not white LGBTIQ folks? Straight and LGBTIQ Latin@s, Asian Americans, American Indians? Why not disability activists of every race/ethnicity and sexual identity? Why not size-acceptance and age-acceptance activists of every race/ethnicity and sexual identity? What about people fighting to redistribute US wealth? These are just to name a few who could be allies as well…

By: hawa

hawa — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:34:42 +0000

I agree with both comments that “we can use all the help we can get.” That is why I found Tami’s discussion about getting help (outside the race) so interesting.

I understand her point about the ways we interpret (and sometimes reject) that help, because I see it play-out so many times. In fact, I’ve read tons of comments from whites who supported civil rights, but often received a cold shoulder from the Blacks they attempted to fight alongside. I believe Tami explored a strong potential reason why such rejection occurred.

Thanks for reading and leaving comments that add to the discussion.

By: Bose

Bose — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:43:08 +0000

Names4Things hits points which resonate with me… there is an individual responsibility for each of us to own whatever privilege and/or blind spots we may have, and a community responsibility to work for justice and awareness for all of our fellow citizens.

By: Names4things

Names4things — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:32:59 +0000

Whites not only can, but should be offended on Michelle’s behalf.
I believe that the absence of women defending Michelle Obama, who are not black, but claim to be feminist, or conscious, or progressive, is egregious. Black women defended Hilllary Clinton, and black women have been holding it up for other white women (and men) for ages.

If non-LGBT people weren’t fighting for the rights of LGBTs, they would not be as far along in their struggle as they are. Deval Patrick, the governor of Massachusetts made gay marriage happen. He is a black straight man. David Paterson, the governor of New York, took it upon himself to make gay marriages from other states recognized in New York. Another straight black man.

We need all the help we can get. Just like most people in the world.