I got this from a MOW reader. I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I remember when “Go Tell Michelle” first came out, we panned it because quite frankly some of the projection from other women was a tad bit….( thinking of a diplomatic word)….. (still thinking)…..just a tad bit “unique.”
“This is particularly for women who are dark-skinned women who thought, ‘Oh my goodness.’ Like one woman who said: ‘I now believe I can bring my black babies into this world,’ ” Brooks-Bertram says. National Public Radio.
I don’t know if I want young impressionable undergraduate women engaging in unhealthy projection. But anywhoo, here is what the reader wrote:
Hello,
I thought i would share this great news concerning Bennett College for Women in Greensboro and Professor Dr. Valerie A. Johnson using
‘Go Tell Michelle’ as required reading in a class this semester!Essence.com has posted a blurb about it. Positive News about Michelle and a HBCU for Women!!
First Lady 101: College Makes Mrs. Obama Book Required Reading
http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/news/articles/first_lady_101_college_uses_mrs_obama_book/
Oookay. Now this is what we said about this book back when it first came out after hearing a reading on NPR:
Hmm lots of projection going on. You needed Michelle Obama to believe you can bring “Black babies” into the world? Maybe this is an unfair analysis since they only picked out a few letters. I’m sorry, but this book seems a bit creepy. Is it just me? It’s more about US than it is about Michelle Obama.
If I could tell Michelle Obama anything I would say “DO YOU!” Everybody, including myself, is projecting right now and there is no way Michelle Obama can be what everyone wants her to be. We need to be the people we want to be and see ourselves the way we want to see ourselves. We need to do some work on ourselves. Yes we can…fix our own “issues” without Michelle Obama.
“GO Tell Michelle” Authors on National Public Radio- What I would Tell Michelle Obama
Now y’all know I try to avoid knocking other Black women’s hustle. You do you and I’ll do me, but I hope the class explores why some of what these women want to tell First Lady Michelle Obama is just bizarre. Maybe I ought to volunteer to go teach a course called “What You Need to Tell Yourself Before You ‘Tell Michelle’”
Posted by Gina.
5 Comments, Comment or Ping
C.J.
“there is no way Michelle Obama can be what everyone wants her to be”
I’m just glad she’s being herself. It’s what all women need to learn to do, to accept themselves fully, flaws and all.
I’ve never seen the book and don’t intend to.
Sep 3rd, 2009
Dee
“Now y’all know I try to avoid knocking other Black women’s hustle. You do you and I’ll do me, but I hope the class explores why some of what these women want to tell First Lady Michelle Obama is just bizarre. Maybe I ought to volunteer to go teach a course called “What You Need to Tell Yourself Before You ‘Tell Michelle’”” – Gina
Now, I’d love to be an observer in any such class that you taught covering “What You Need…” That would be informative and soooo very entertaining!
*chuckling yet again*
Sep 4th, 2009
Allie Freeman
Hustle ? To know these wonderful dedicated women who cane up with the unique idea of writing to the first lady is a bit offensive.
Sep 17th, 2009
gem2001
It is offensive because you choose to be offended. You’re just ticked because I panned the book. Hustle to many is generally accepted as people who work hard. So be offended, you won’t die from being offended. there are worst things than being offended. If that’s the best thing you can come up with being offended about is the used of the word “hustle” then we’re doing good.
I’m offended that you’re offended. So now we’re even.
Sep 17th, 2009
Allie Freeman
I wrote two commentaries. The other did not appear. In short summary, it is heart warming to see Bennett take the lead with using GTM in the classroom. Over 75 yrs. ago , Bennett took the lead as well. We who lived near by the college saw this as a symbol for women to be educated and to be leaders. I did not go to Bennett but knew just by t example that doors were open for me and others.
Allie
Sep 18th, 2009