Michelle Obama Watch

I’ve also keep hearing/reading news reports about how, “well-behaved” the weeMichelles are. Huh, what? I guess they think all black children run around wild, tearing up stuff, and talking “smack” back to adults. *smh*

While I realize that “sassy” carries some negative resonance where young black women are concerned, Sasha is a little girl. Not only is the word common in fashion publications — it refers to a certain type of personal style or, at least, represents the efforts of the editors to connect that style with the clothes they’re featuring — I’ve also seen and heard it used in reference to white children. “Don’t sass me,” or “Don’t give me any sass,” are orders from parents or older relatives that I used to hear directed at both black and white children in the South, where a number of members of my family lived.

One problem here is that the editors at the HP, depending on their ages and geographical origins, may not be aware of the word’s sometimes problematic connotations and may therefore feel that complainers are reading its use incorrectly. Some months ago, there was a heated debate among posters on a major news site regarding the word “uppity.” Some posters were genuinely floored to learn that the word had a racist history, that it carried any racist meaning at all, and simply didn’t believe those of us who tried to explain that history and meaning. They described, in detail, growing up in areas where there were no black people and using the word to refer to whites who behaved in a certain manner. Younger people had never heard it at all, in any context. Though I felt that these people needed to be educated on the subject, I was interested in their puzzled remarks and had to acknowledge that different people, growing up in different socio-cultural environments, may have an entirely different take on and reaction to a given word and may therefore use it in an entirely non-racial sense.

To many people, “sassy” may seem entirely the appropriate adjective for a bouncy, lively, outspoken little girl, and to them it may even seem cute and affectionate, not negative Barack Obama himself has described Sasha as exactly that sort of child — she’s “a ham,” as he put it. I suspect that the people at the HP resent being told that they are being racist when they use a word that appears in dictionaries with no racial meaning attached to it and that they didn’t use in a racial sense (assuming that they really didn’t). However, offended people shouldn’t hesitate to continue to complain. Perhaps doing so will cause the HP staff to think again.

I didn’t have a problem with sassy. I thought they meant cute and lively, which is cool. However, this is not the problem here. They start the article “Sasha Obama didn’t tell anybody off.” What?? Where would that even come from? Then “she COULD HAVE spent the day adorably demanding that people talk to her tiny hand.” 1) No one does that anymore, 2) Really? We’re just going to go there with the talk to the hand? For a little girl? If she had, ok, but she didn’t, so let’s make up all of the little black attitude things we wish she had done. I’m through. Shaking her hips defiantly? WHAT??? Whatever, later for them.

““Sasha Obama didn’t tell anybody off.” Just what I thought…WHAT??? Excuse me?? This is a child and I don’t understand why the are so “up close and personal”. HP is way out of line here. And, I’m not even going to get into the “sassy”-thing…

Just because they’re the president’s daughters doesn’t give us the right to scrutinize them on a daily basis.

Historically speaking, give them an inch and they’ll take over your country, put you on reservations to die, steal millions of people (slaves) to work your stolen land, and will ask 400 years late, “Why don’t you just get over the trampling of your ancestors? And furthermore if I don’t feel like what I’m saying should upset you, then you should feel the same way.” That’s just a little history lesson for any one who thought there was nothing wrong with the use of the word sassy to describe Sasha Obama.

I would also like to add that there’s no negative lexicon connotations with the words bed warmer, but some Black women don’t like to be called that either.

I think this outrage is a result of taking the words out of context. I think she IS sassy in a very positive way. She’s not afraid of anyone and alot of the photos of her are of her grinning unafraid at everyone around her and being and knowing she is adorable. I love her sassiness. As for the other more inflamatory things from this passage, I don’t think you guys are familiar with 23/6 but they do a lot of satire, almost like The Onion. I havent read the entry but I wouldn’t be surprised if the article was supposed to sound over the top, possibly in their own way of teasing Huffington Posts constant reference to Sasha as sassy.

I know we as black women have become sensitive to a lot of these words that get attached to us unfairly but the word sassy is one that when used for a child is on par with precocious from my experiences. Calling Michelle sassy should be incendiary but before being black Sasha is a little girl, and calling a little girl sassy isnt a bad thing.

Oh, dear! I was looking for your bio, so that I could write intelligently and thank you personally for the link traffic sent to Michelle-Style.com. And to ask you about advertising on Michelle Obama Watch.

And now we’re back on “sassy” via front page Google web, no less. LOL

I concur with most of the opinions expressed above and will try not to repeat. My opinion on “sassy” is clear. It’s used frequently in popular culture by people of every skin color, and I think in a non-racist way. That’s just my opinion.

I am taking the liberty of contacting the women (mothers) in Hawaii, who run sassymag.com and ask them to weigh in on this topic.

As a white woman who is trying to do the right thing, I am so confused.

I did find the article re 23/6:

http://www.236.com/news/2009/01/21/5_things_that_could_have_happe_11154.php

I hate to disagree with someone who has helped me this week, but I think you must put these comments in the larger perspective.

This 23/6 site is like the financially successful Gawker Media sites. They exist to be controversial and verbally slap people down. The biggest advertisers in America are reaching audiences on these websites.

Besides the Sasha comments under discussion, these guys also wrote in the same 23/6 article:

“When Bush’s helicopter veered back around toward Washington, it COULD HAVE opened fire and strafed the gathered crowd as they chanted “Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye.” Thankfully, the former president ordered his gunner to stand down at the last moment. Bush can be accused of a lot of things, but no one’s ever going to accuse him of ruining a good party.”

I find those words and imagery totally gross. Machine guns opening fire on a crowd doesn’t amuse me one bit. All I see is “Apocalypse Now” or school shootings.

What do we call it? Toilet humor? Frat boys? I don’t know. It has an audience out there . . . a big one, who wants this humor.

I agree that humor has limits, but I sense the First Amendment is clear on the Sasha/sassy topic.

That 23/6 website has an Alexa.com rank of 19,778. You and I should be so lucky! We’d be in the financial chips.

I’m thrilled that you speak candidly about your passions, but I’m a little concerned about your blood pressure. We need you around for the big deals, ones that are surely lurking out there and will rear their ugly heads in time.

In reporting the Sasha story, I think you owe readers the Bush perspective, too. These writers exist to taunt us. I hate it, but it’s not racist. It’s ignorant but considered funny by a lot of people.

America’s a “free” country, right?

I’m getting the feeling that this sassy biz will soon be on SNL, the way we’re going. And someone will be playing your role, so be sure you get some royalties in the deal. Trademark this comedy concept in advance, so SNL doesn’t get a total freebie.

Again, thanks so much for your traffic to Michelle-Style.com, and I’ll track you down personally re ads, links. I’ll share the response from SassyMag.com if it comes.

Peace. Anne

@marindenver: I agree.

The story of Sasha telling someone off is probably a result of Donna Brazille being on ABC news, and mentioning how she was in close proximity to the Obamas, and Sasha was playing around, and Brazille motion to Sasha or said something to Sasha and allegedly Sasha gave Brazille a look, like whatever. And from that people ran with it.First of all, the Obama children are well behaved, and another thing their grandmother is there to give any discipline if necessary. 2nd, Sasha is a little girl and if she figids in her seat or move around , than she’s free to do that. The Obamas aren’t worried about that.

I was more impressed by President Obama and First Lady Obama dancing at the Parade to the band. That was funny.

People need to lighten up. As long as President Obama does an excellent job, than who cares how Sasha and Malia behave they are children. And who cares if the Obamas show PDA, and who cares about First Lady Obama’s wardrobe if its cheap or not.

I’d like the new WH the Obamas are creating. It’s realistic and mirrors the average American family. One that has fun, open and attainable. You would think people would get sick and tired of the false piety and grandieose , Blue-blood theatrics of the past first families. When as a result, we were so consumed with pitiful theatrics that we ignored the fact that our nation was going under.

@Kelly will we be HYPERSENSITIVE when they are calling her “Sassy” at 11? Will it be cute when they are calling her “sassy” at 15?

Its all “adorable” now because she’s “cute” but what happens when she’s stuck with this label for the rest of her life? She’s being a normal 6 year old so why does that translate into “attitude”?

You might want to check out this articles I put up in an update to the post about Black girls being punished for being viewed as “assertive” and another about Black girls being twice as likely to be paddled at school. Is it because their teachers view them as “sassy”?

How long before the first opinion poll about whether or not the American people think a teenage Sasha is too “sassy.”

She’s being pre-tracked. Pre-tracking isn’t cute even if it isn’t the result of “conscious” racism.

Meh……she is such a doll and truth be told she is the ham of the family.

i don’t know what is being said on that site you are talking about, but there is a reason why most of the people in my black community call her “sasha fierce”.

Malia is such a little lady and god she is gonna be gorgeous when she becomes a young woman.

I love that the two girls have such great personalities. it really reminds me of me and my sister. i was the quiet one and my sister was the rambunctious one who always had my back. nothing wrong with that.

I just read it as Sasha being “spunky”, a bit of a ham if you will. Its no that she is out of hand, grown and smart mouth. Sasha and Malia are beautifully raised, and I adore them for the role models they are for so many of our young ladies. Michelle and Barack did a heck of a job rearing these American dolls.

I agree completely with the opinion to keep the children out of the fire of criticism. That is what it is criticism. It is hard enough to raise children in this era of rampant porn, deviant people, and opinionated people, without having the whole world looking at you. Everyone who wants to say something negative about our new Presidential family should think about the impact it will have on these young ladies when they grow up. Not to mention the disrespect it shows other countries that we have for our leadership. As Americans we should be showing our New Leader the Respect he deserves. Have we forgotten that we are the United States of America. United as in showing a united front. If we are trashing on our Leaders or their families, it breaks down that image.
Also before you say anything about these girls, try to put yourself in their shoes and remember what it was like to be their age. As for myself, to have this gigantic change in lifestyle would have been terrifing to me. I think under the conditions, these children are behaving exceptionally. I would only hope that under similiar circumtances my girls would behave this well. So yes leave the children out of your scepticism and let them try to lead a normal life and show our new President the respect he deserves.

First, 23/6 is a humor site.
Second, the word “sassy” is not loaded with racial history the way “uppity” is.
Third, the Obamas should consult the Clintons about how they kept Chelsea from being fodder for the press for eight years. Whether you care for Bill and Hillary or not, they did a fine job with their daughter.

And far be it from me to interrupt this thrilling discussion of the etymology of the word “sassy”, but what about the rest of the statement?

“Sasha Obama didn’t tell anybody off.” and

“The youngest first daughter is brimming over with sass, and she COULD HAVE spent the day adorably demanding that people talk to her tiny hand or shaking her hips defiantly at every photo op, but she chose to reign it in.”

Oh there’s NOOOO racial stereotyping there!

I’m really shocked that the Huffington Post would sink this low.

The criticisms of both Malia and Sasha that I have seen on other blogs are on a level of silliness that I don’t remember ever seeing in reference to any other little girls their ages. Someone accused their mother of dressing them like “hoochie mammas,” a derogatory description often made of young black women. As far as Sasha’s “sassiness’ is concerned, I see a pretty, lively little girl who likes hamming it up.

I think the children of all politicians, especially very young children, should not be target–regardless of how people feel about their parents.

I am totally in love with the Obama girls. They are both so adorable in their own way. What a testament they are to the parenting of Michelle and Barack. I look forward to the next four (hopefully, eight) years of watching them grow.

Why is it so hard to refer to the Obama family simply as, Mr President or President Obama. 1st Lady Michelle Obama and young Sasha and Malia Obama. Why do we need the unnecessary labels.

This is not the fashion industry where we need sass to sell a product, it is not a nightclub where we want sassy youn images, this is the 1st family of the United States of America.

What were the code names for the last two daughters and why weren’t they labeled…. it would have been deserving.

I think she is being what she is, a happy, full of life & adorable little girl. People needs to focus on the positives. Sasha & Malia please just continue to be yourselves and don’t listen to the negative things that people have to say. You have two wonderful role models in your life (mom & dad). Stay positive girls! All the best to the Obama family.

DG