Michelle Obama Watch

1. Nico

   Wow. So disrespectful (of them not your article). Why do they feel the need to focus on her body parts? Is this really what we have become? Gina, thanks for posting this and the link to the article. I’m going to send some mail to Erin Kaplan.

   Nov 18th, 2008

2. SMH

   Some people just never learn and just refuse to grow and embrace the positive. These individuals are determined to self destruct, i.e. remain stuck in the no growth cycle. Unfortunately they also try to keep as many others as they can stuck on the negative and where possible drag/tear still others down into that negative cycle of bitterness, anger and self defeat with them. The author of this article, DLH, Chris Rock with his misogynistic rants anti-women tirades, are a few of the many folks who fit the above description. Lacking in self esteem and so desperate for validation and pseudo acceptance in the form of the bottom dollar and short term gain they are willing to sell out no matter who else is harmed. It is good to see this blog and others calling them on it!

   The lesson learned from the successful, Obama campaign is to see the negativity for what it is. Negativity in situations and people exist - call it for what it is - and refuse to buy into it and/or engage. It is time to refuse to support those persons, and companies that advertise and sponsor these programs and magazines promoting this filth and nonsense. Above all stay focused on achieving positive outcomes and do not let in the negative - limiting energy or influences that slow the positive force for change.

   Advertisers are not altruistic - they are out to make money. If the sponsors are not making money they stop sponsoring. Reciprocity - if there is nothing in it for them they do not pay the authors, actors or comedians to sell out! The color green trumps racism, ageism, sexism and every other ‘ism’ every time. The bottom line is the bottom dollar.

   Follow the money - cut off the money and the platform goes away! Use the same healthy, self interest and demand reciprocity. Refuse to buy in and or support those that do not further that which is positive and uplifting. Refuse to be a party to something that does not serve you well. So spend money only where it provides a benefit.

   Nov 18th, 2008

3. I don't agree

   While black women have clearly been objectified for years and years, I do not agree with your take on this article. After reading it, I feel that the author - although possibly misguided, has chosen to focus on one of the many, but most prominent characteristics that many black women share, but in the professional world, have had to downplay. I think it is nice to see Michelle Obama, who is a shapely woman that looks like many black women in the derrière, in a position of prominence to be revered by the nation and others. Keep in mind that not even 100 years ago, the bodies of black women (including the butt) were used in “scientific studies” as a part of eugenics to determine our degeneracy or non-humanness. Yet, Michelle Obama, a woman who embodies all of the characteristics that were used to dehumanize black woman is on the way to becoming a national icon. Now was this the best area to focus on? Maybe not for a published book or a magazine. Should Baby Got Back replace the national anthem? Hell no. Should Sir mix a lot be in the cabinet? What a joke. But, aside from all of this, the author was expressing her opinion, and I do not judge her for that. And to call the author foolish and misogynistic is a bit much for an article that praises the uniqueness that is shared by many black women.

   Nov 18th, 2008

4. Diane

   WOW. So there are white people out there that are scared of a black woman’s ass and Michelle, we’re told in this odd piece, is wearing respectable clothing for the first time to cover her ass and make sure the “mainstream voters” don’t get scared away from her giant black ass?

   Wow, just wow. There really isn’t any words to describe how bizarre this article is.

   It was mentioned on Daily Kos, in a journal, I forget who wrote it, that with Obama’s win comes a slew of self hating water carrying black talking heads and writers such as this fool that will benefit. They will speak the words that white political analysts cant say. These will be some trying years. So hold tight.

   Nov 18th, 2008

5. Bohwe

   This article will be nothing in terms of disrespect that will probably follow Michelle for years to come. Considering the fact that Michelle is attractive and has a bad (in the good sense) figure, i’m 100% posistive that these comments will intensify, especially when Obama travels overseas, where what is deemed acceptable is different than here at home. The comments from male politicians and royality will be outlandish. And some may say things in front of Michelle and Obama, that will be inappropriate.

   Side-note: The former President of Israel said once in an interview that he was talking to Condelezza Rice, but it was hard concentrating because he was focused on her legs.

   I, think the thing is that black women/ African decent women will always be seen in the physical sense, because for the most part our bodies are more formed than other women, thus in the eyes of the world deemed more sexual.

   Nov 18th, 2008

6. Dailyfare

   Below is my response to the Salon editors:

   Joan Walsh writes: “If having a black president and first lady is going to narrow what we talk about, wow, that would be sad. But I promise it won’t — at least not on Salon.”

   Really, Joan? Did I miss the article on Laura Bush’s tits? If not, then this article is not cool. And just because it’s written by a black person is not the loophole that makes it cool.

   As a matter of fact, if someone had written an article critiquing Laura Bush’s breasts, you’d be the first one on Hardball complaining about objectification. What? The same rules don’t apply if it’s a black woman?

   Not. Cool.

   The point is this: Mrs. Obama’s physical assets are irrelevant to her role as First Lady. Any article, celebratory or not, that focuses on her body parts is disrespectful.

   Joan, you - of all people - should realize this.

   Nov 18th, 2008

7. Lili

   I clearly recall that more than one snarky media comment was made about Hillary Clinton’s generous physique and about Nancy Reagan’s legs. (And let’s not forget the unkind remarks about Chelsea Clinton’s looks.) Unfortunately, black, white, Asian, or whatever, women in the public eye are subjected to remarks about their bodies, clothes, and hair that would never be made about men. The fact that some of the remarks are intended to be complimentary and flattering doesn’t mitigate the disheartening dreariness or the superficiality of the habit.

   People do this partly because the appearance of women is simply more interesting than the appearance of men (male hairstyles and clothes have a certain boring sameness) and partly out of sheer, instinctive response. Men comment on women’s bodies because they are biologically attuned to pay attention to them, and women comment because they are interested in fashion and figures for different reasons and because they are biologically attuned to feel competitive with other women.

   Realistically speaking, none of this is going to change soon, though calling attention to inappropriate remarks will help — but only over time.

   Nov 19th, 2008

8. Betty Chambers

   Let’s get real.

   White “feminist” liberals like Joan love vulgar black people. She’s like the majority of the media people who do the hiring. It’s a sneaky way of smacking classy (uppity) black people down.

   She’s going to be giving a lot of low-minded pond scum work. Joan’s gonna give us four years of hating on a classy First Lady.

   This is just the beginning.

   Nov 19th, 2008

9. COB

   Two things:

   We hate on ourselves more than any other race ever has.

   Condi Rice has gotten a lot of this same crap.

   sheesh

   Nov 19th, 2008

10. elledub

    @ “i don’t agree”

    well said. i didn’t mind the article actually. and i think to say she is a misogynist is just too much

    CLEARLY the sir mix a lot reference was a JOKE. no one understood this?

    Nov 19th, 2008

11. Lili

    I ask this with the greatest of respect, but as a Hyde Parker who has followed the Obamas since he was my local state senator, and as an ordinary, middle-class girl who made it into Ivy League schools (and because both my husband and Michelle Obama worked for the same employer until recently), I have naturally been deeply interested in the couple since long before anyone in the rest of the country had ever heard of them. I am an educated woman who also loves fashion and is concerned about the perception of ALL women who try to be professionally accomplished, supportive of their husbands, and simply interested in “girl stuff,” (clothes, hairstyles, etc.), so this site attracted me.

    However, I’m a white woman. This thread has suggested to me that perhaps my comments are not welcome, that I may not grasp some of the issues. Do I need to back off?

    Nov 19th, 2008

12. Kymberlyn

    Lili–as far as I’m concerned, your comments are welcome. Just don’t expect to get coddled in here. Speaking for myself, I say EXACTLY what I mean and don’t care about political correctness and all that nonsense. You might find yourself actually learning some valuable lessons about the diversity of thought in the black community–something you’ll NEVER learn from the mainstream media.

    I’m no fan of “Down Low” Hughley and wish he would just go away. He’s an embarrassment and I can’t believe that CNN would stoop to such a low, especially when Tavis Smiley or Michael Eric Dyson would be so much better. I’d love to see Dr. Cornell West with his own political affairs show or as a featured commentator a la David Gergen.

    This is my problem with the entire situation: Black women’s bodies and minds have been in everyone else’s sights BUT OURS. Historically speaking, we still really don’t own ourselves. Everyone who ISN’T US always has an opinion about who, what, why and how we are–and they tend to be ALL WRONG. It’s so hard to be a black woman when everything about us is so politicized and extrapolated. From our hair to our walk to our sexuality–everyone thinks they have a right to define us–and they DON’T!

    The sad part is we can’t even appreciate our physical selves without feeling like we’re somehow helping to maintain the patriarchy. Yes, Michelle Obama has “back” and yes, it’s nice to see a woman who actually LOOKS like one rather than like a concentration camp victim. Having said that, I think America should be focusing in on is Michelle Obama’s intelligence and her accomplishments. That’s been the issue from day one when it comes to powerful and visible women–the tendancy to reduce us to body parts. Powerful women with their own minds scare the you-know-what out of the patriarchy so the only way they can deal with the competition is to nullify it. Proves that they cannot stand a level playing field because they know they’d lose power.

    There should be a balance–yes, let’s talk about her physicality which does not fit into mainstream society’s narrow-minded view of beauty and desirability. But let’s more importantly celebrate her strong love and devotion to a man who’s obviously not afraid of a “strong black woman”. It’s rather obvious from all the pictures of Barack and Michelle that I’ve seen that he’s stark-raving-crazy (and in a good way) about his wife. You can feel the love and see that he honors her personhood. I can’t for the life of me imagine him calling her a b*tch or a ho’. Michelle is who we should be telling our daughters to emulate and not to settle for “Tyrone” down the street with the 22 inch rims.

    We see so few examples of strong and intact black families in the media because that kind of stuff just doesn’t sell. Our supposed “dysfunction” is the stuff political careers and talk radio is made of

    Nov 20th, 2008

13. Bohwe

    Michelle does have a figure, and men will notice it, let’s take it as a compliment and move on. Finally, the world (media) is giving African American woman credit for having a butt, instead of ignoring the fact that a protruding butt comes from everywhere else instead of Mother Africa. I’m not appaud by this because , for years black women were angry over the hoopla over JLO getting attention because of her butt, which for some reason Oprah endorsed on her show. So, now a black woman who looks African decent is getting the attention, let’s be happy. Although, it’s insulting to hear some of the comments madeby men and women, but that’s reality.

    Nov 20th, 2008

14. rikyrah

    Salon called President-Elect Obama UPPITY.

    not hinted around it

    CALLED HIM UPPITY

    ALWAYS keep that in the back of your mind when you read ANYTHING OBAMA-related at Salon.

    Nov 20th, 2008

15. Marie

    I am so proud of Michelle. It is obvious that she has a loving and equal relationship with her husband - and most of all the adore their girls.

    I think she is amazing in stature (is she about 6′ tall), looks great in anything she wears and is an ivy leaguer as well.

    I was watching one event where she was wearing a dress that accentuated her build and I said to myself - you go!

    Nov 21st, 2008

16. Dana

    The salon article reminds me of the disturbing article discussed earlier on MOW written by the Greek woman we later found was mentally ill. In that case and this case, I think the writing reflects the personal emotional difficulties of the author moreso than it realistically describes Michelle Obama. Both authors brought their own insecurities and conflicted self-perceptions to their keyboards and then projected that onto Michelle.

    I think the author of the salon article likely experienced a lot negative commentary and assumptions about her own appearance and speculation on how her appearance reflected her character, personality, and intelligence. Rather than assert herself to address the people who treated her that way, rather than counter the stereotypes, she joins in and eagerly projects the madness onto someone else to deal with - Michelle.

    Nov 21st, 2008

17. George

    Michelle is an Ivy Leaguer in name only–a clear AA beneficiary. . . slightly above average intelligence, from a good home, but moved ahead of more qualified students and lawyers because she is a black woman and her brother played basketball at Princeton.

    Does anyone else think it is unusual that Barack has a large number of black women among his advisors??? They are largely under the press radar, but they are there.

    Btw, she has bad posture and does not look particularly feminine or good, and her lower body is out of proportion to her upper body, if we are doing the America’s Next Top Model analysis.

    Finally, on the question of taste, this is the woman who described her husband in a big Vanity Fair article as “stinky and snory”. Puh-lease!

    Nov 22nd, 2008

18. PAH

    To George; What makes you think she is an AA beneficiary ? What proof do you have? From your comments, you wouldn’t know feminine if it slapped you in the face!

    Nov 23rd, 2008

19. McCullough,B

    This Beautiful strong black woman is a product of some of our nations most pristine IVY LEAGUE schools, and these prejudice assholes can seem to not find anything better to focus on other than her rear-end, give me a break. such trash!! thank God she’s the first lady of this country or should we now find some other reason not to give her her just due. CNN you’ve lost mega points for this one. RACIEST BIGOTS !

    Nov 24th, 2008

20. McCullough,B

    George, you’re jealous cause she surpassed your lazy ass! you all are forever wanting to accuse somebody of recieving something based off of skin color it kills me. As a African American male educated at some of the nation top institutions, I’ve run pass many such as yourself who believe that someone has made it based off everything besides intelligence, it’s quite fine cause while you gag on sour milk, she’s still FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! eat it my friend eat it!

    Nov 24th, 2008

21. Jadee

    Oh George, you are so sad. Ivy Leaguer in name only? That’s comedy. Just like the idiotic “Republican in name only.” Michelle is an Ivy Leaguer period. Congratulate her for working hard and making it far! *smile* It’s much easier than being green with envy.

    If Barack has a large (your word, not mine) number of black women as advisors, so what? As long as they are qualified and give good advice, meh.

    To address the Salon article: trite, trite, trite.

    Nov 24th, 2008

22. elledub

    George–get the f@ck outta here. you can miss me with all that “she only got in because she’s black” foolishness

    sit down somewhere and reflect on your irrelevance.

    Nov 25th, 2008

23. Ng Yi-Sheng

    My god, what’s wrong with you people? The Salon article is personal and brilliant. Erin Aubry Kaplan is saying that she and many other black women have felt discriminated against based on the fact that they have a “big booty”, and so they’re feeling incredibly empowered by the fact that there’s an intelligent, powerful woman in the White House who’s got one too. Can’t you see all the love that’s in the writing???

    Nov 25th, 2008

24. mattie

    YES, MICHELLE OBAMA is shapely, and let’s not fool ourselve’s people, men LOVE WOMEN, look at how the men, were losing their mind’s over SARAH PALIN’S LEG’S, and I thank GOD, that MEN are paying attention to attractive women, that is why women were CREATED, I can only speak for myself, but I have seen men, look pass an attractive woman, and look at another man with lust in their eye’s. so can someone tell me what’s wrong with this picture?

    MICHELLE OBAMA should not hide her figure, and yes, AFRICAN AMERICAN’S, should not cross the line, MICHELLE OBAMA will be our FIRST LADY, and I pray that responsible AFRICAN AMERICAN’S, will step up to the plate and denounce any black comedian, that cross’s the LINE, BARACK will have enough to deal with.

    Nov 25th, 2008

25. Michael

    I just want to express my outrage at the nature and utter disrespect of this articles appearing the Chicago Sun Times then sent the WORLD PRESS?!. I want to assure that the nature of this article is not echoed anywhere else in any other media without the out cry of the people who respect and have voted Mr.Obama into the WHITE HOUSE.

    This article is undermining and demeaning. It robs the FIRST LADY of her dignity and elegance. She is the wife of the President of the United States. This woman was “groped” by this article and I feel disrespected with her.

    Never has the anatomy of any other President’s wife been the focus of an entire article in the news. What is the article trying to make of Ms. Obama to the public? She is treated this way, in a sense, to call her just a piece of flesh to be disrespected as opposed to the Help Meet of a WORLD AUTHORITY who counsels her husband. This is a woman of authority! She represents the Faith, Hopes and prayers of Millions of women and men. She can not be disrespected without those who respect her defending her dignity!!

    I want to thank those leaders who are watching the National front that are bringing the broader issues up for review and analysis. This report was one of the National level reports discussed. Then I read it myself to gain my on view and opinion. I found that the article is a devaluation of this great woman and I am grateful it was brought to my attention. She is the First LADY. Why not treat her as such? When you undermine and disrespect Mrs. Obama you undermine her husband, who is the President, and you ultimately disrespect all the women who look up to her image. ALL WOMAN. Likewise, with all the men who respect her and her husband. When you disrespect people at this level of influence you also disrespect their capacity as an effective role model to the children who look up to them as great examples, male and female alike! Just my point of view.

    Lastly, granted we all think and say things in private personal environments that may not be “politically correct” in certain situations. Don’t you think that this is one of those points of views you could have kept to yourself or between personal friends?! We must all learn to not just do anything for a pay check! No matter who asks us to or how much the pay. You are a good writer and very talented. Please write better.

    Nov 26th, 2008

26. Andrea

    We don’t have to read articles like that it or support Hughley’s show. I feel we as women and Americans have looked passed all that non-sense.

    Hughley’s show is so offensive to my intelligence. As a black women, mother and wife of this day and age — I feel the time for his type of humor has come and gone — CNN has got themselves a loser show no doubt — it will not last very long. Most Americans are beyond that type of humor — thanks in part to Barack and Michelle’s leadership.

    Nov 27th, 2008

27. Faith

    I just checked back over at WAOD and noticed that #1 enabler Kevin Ross is touting what he says is an Erin Kaplan mea culpa article at his blog. If she was REALLY apologetic she’d have Salon print a retraction and addendum and she would have the nerve to face Black women directly and not have a man running interference for her. I’m not going to bother because I think it insincere. It’s good to know she felt the boot up her ass though!

    Nov 28th, 2008

28. mattie

    WHAT a shame, but if you people think that G. L. HUGHELY, is bad, you should go to YOUTUBE, their is a PASTOR, by the name of DAVID E. MANNING, and trust me, he is vicious, and this is also an AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN, and he is not a comedian, he was attacking BARACK, but now, he is ATTACKING MICHELLE OBAMA! these are our own people, and their are many more so called AFRICAN AMERICAN’S that can’t wait until the PRESIDENT ELECT and his family, move into the WHITE HOUSE, so they can attack them, and trust me, they are waiting like vulture’s, and these are our own people, laying in wait to persecute their own race. so can someone say the word “PRAY” that word will be needed more than ever now.

    Nov 30th, 2008

29. Dee

    Well, from my perspective it would have been nice for Salon.. to perhaps do a thought provoking article on why numerous and plentiful though they are well educated, well adjusted, Black people of high accomplishment are virtually invisible in the White media gaze.

    An alternative might have been for Salon to put out there a positive piece recognising the love, care and devotion that Mr. and Mrs. Robinson clearly poured into their daughter (and son), and reflect on the wonderful end results, which again would have been a world away from the usual negative mainstream media focus on Black parents and parenting.

    Talk about a missed opportunity….

    Instead, Salon…found time to get a writer to share her thoughts on Mrs. Obama’s derriere?! I just don’t understand!

    Elledub - “sit down somewhere and reflect on your irrelevance” directed at poor George has me chuckling at my keyboard!

    Dana - you make an interesting point about writers projecting their own insecurities on to someone else. Who knows; that may well have been an issue, with the Salon…article.

    Nov 30th, 2008

30. Chandra Kamaria

    I think the part that bothers me the most is the fact that Erin Aubry Kaplan can actually write. Her article was well-thought out and written but the problem rests in the fact that she actually purported and celebrated a stereotype rather than seek to explain it and then quash it. Why is her ass so important when everything else about the woman say awesome? We are supposed to prove to white America that there are a LOT of Michelle Obamas around.

    All of us gifted women get up everyday and face the world with the same kind of dignity as Michelle Obama. She’s one of us—many of us that are running businesses everyday, raising families, killing ‘em softly in the boardroom and still managing to be womanly. Erin made it seem like First Lady just emerged from the shadows and viola, she is now able to lift her head up and be proud because here is a woman that represents her cause she’s got a big booty. Gimme a break!

    This sort of stuff reeks of the ‘Me Too’ attitude that is running rampant among young black women. It’s not enough that white girls are objectified on a grand scale in the mass media to their approval, nooooo, little black girls want to be swooned over in Maxxim, Playboy, and Hustler too.

    Dec 2nd, 2008

31. C.

    Joan Walsh of salon.com is one of those Hillary loving Barack/Michelle hating “democrats”.

    She shows up on MSNBC and I switch off…she’s one of the revelations of this past election cycle…the bit that confirmed shockingly that the Democratic party had its fair share of condescending racist white “feminists”…

    They were all enthusiastic “hillicrats”…pretty good cover huh?

    Feb 2nd, 2009

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