Michelle Obama - yay or nay?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I do think the data indicate that social class provides a great deal of insulation against prejudice and, not incidentally, the risk of black-on-black violence. Yes, Sean Taylor lived a well-heeled neighborhood and was wealthy. In the end, however, he was murdered by black men who had visited his home with one of his relatives (sister? stepsister?). His family and neighborhood ties were directly related to his death. Barack Obama does not have similar ties. Nor does Michelle, who grew up in a working class but not dangerous neighborhood. For these reasons, I actually agree with the poster who said the circumstances are very different for inner city blacks and the Obamas. However, due to his race, Obama may be at greater risk of violence than the average white male presidential candidate.


You may not agree with Michelle Obama's assessment, but that does not make her "angry."
Anonymous
Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Although I don't have as much of a crush on her as JSteele
In all honesty, the "angry" thing has as much to do with her being a lawyer, Ivy-educated, black woman as Hillary. Also Ivy-educated lawyer. But Michelle is PHYSICALLY dominating to many people because of her height and, let's face it, her great physique. Like it or not, women are judged more closely by their appearance than men. Michelle will never appear on What Not to Wear. Nancy Reagan was a size negative 0, but had the personality and drive of Dick Cheney. Hillary never stood a chance without hair extensions.

Now just imagine if Bill Clinton had been First (or Second) Spouse?

Michelle. Yay
Anonymous
She is a strong woman and would be a great first lady!!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I do think the data indicate that social class provides a great deal of insulation against prejudice and, not incidentally, the risk of black-on-black violence. Yes, Sean Taylor lived a well-heeled neighborhood and was wealthy. In the end, however, he was murdered by black men who had visited his home with one of his relatives (sister? stepsister?). His family and neighborhood ties were directly related to his death. Barack Obama does not have similar ties. Nor does Michelle, who grew up in a working class but not dangerous neighborhood. For these reasons, I actually agree with the poster who said the circumstances are very different for inner city blacks and the Obamas. However, due to his race, Obama may be at greater risk of violence than the average white male presidential candidate.


You may not agree with Michelle Obama's assessment, but that does not make her "angry."


Um, hello? I never said she is angry. And I didn't say I disagree with what she said, either. You are confusing me with another poster, I think. I was responding to Jeff's points, because I disagree that high SES is not something of an insulator.
Anonymous
Umm Nancy Reagan is and was a great lady who had a wonderful life with her hubby-she was by all accounts very involved in his life and was/is classy. I commend her work for Alzheimers and previously getting involved in the "just say no" campaign. Again--think it's sad that some people feel the need to attack rather than just support why they like Mrs. Obama.
Anonymous
Not sure if I'm a yay or a nay, but I absolutely agree she's angry. He says so himself in his book. She's angry because she didn't want to be married to a Senator. She wanted a husband who would be a hands on father, like her father, and home for dinner, etc. Instead, she's basically a single mom, and had to quit her hard fought career. Her husband lives in DC while she raises the kids in Chicago with her mom. She's ticked, and I would be too. He should have waited until his kids were a little older, in my opinion.

The Vanity Fair profile of Barack goes into detail about Michelle's anger, which is quite common for ambitious women married to ambitious men, who find themselves giving up their own dreams.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I was an obama supporter until his affiliation w/ Rev. Wright came to fruition. It took him too long to disaffiliate with this man. Also, believe his wife is somewhat angry/oppressed and similarly hypocritical. This is coming from an African American woman.


Huh? I'd hardly call Michelle Obama oppressed.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was an obama supporter until his affiliation w/ Rev. Wright came to fruition. It took him too long to disaffiliate with this man. Also, believe his wife is somewhat angry/oppressed and similarly hypocritical. This is coming from an African American woman.


Huh? I'd hardly call Michelle Obama oppressed.


I think she feels that the African American race is oppressed.
Anonymous
I'm waiting for the onslaught of criticism of Michelle Obama because, quite frankly, I don't think the maintstream media and political commentators know what to do with her. She's an African American Ivy League educated lawyer who's married, a mom, and earned (until recently) a pretty hefty salary (which, by the way, was not out of line with her credentials and experience). I'm an African American Ivy League educated wife and mom attorney, and so are a lot of my friends, and believe me, we do not fit the typical narrative. We are not unwed mothers, we are not fat, we do not come from dysfunctional homes, and we don't bob our heads from side to side when we speak. We're not depicted on TV sitcoms or reality shows. A lot of people have never encountered anyone like Michelle, so they're threatened by her. I fully expect to see more vague comments like "she's angry" or "I just don't like her" because she's going to make some people uncomfortable. In the meantime, I say more power to her! It will be wonderful to have a young happy, stable African American family in the White House.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I'm waiting for the onslaught of criticism of Michelle Obama because, quite frankly, I don't think the maintstream media and political commentators know what to do with her. She's an African American Ivy League educated lawyer who's married, a mom, and earned (until recently) a pretty hefty salary (which, by the way, was not out of line with her credentials and experience). I'm an African American Ivy League educated wife and mom attorney, and so are a lot of my friends, and believe me, we do not fit the typical narrative. We are not unwed mothers, we are not fat, we do not come from dysfunctional homes, and we don't bob our heads from side to side when we speak. We're not depicted on TV sitcoms or reality shows. A lot of people have never encountered anyone like Michelle, so they're threatened by her. I fully expect to see more vague comments like "she's angry" or "I just don't like her" because she's going to make some people uncomfortable. In the meantime, I say more power to her! It will be wonderful to have a young happy, stable African American family in the White House.


It will be wonderful to have the Obamas in the White House. Although in my opinion no one in the DC area should be hard-pressed to come up with the names of countless African Americans who are well educated lawyers who "do not fit the typical narrative" you describe. Your "typical narrative," by the way, is pretty offensive regardless of your own demographic. And finally - did you somehow miss the years of 1984 to 1992 when The Cosby Show ran?
Anonymous
I don't care for what I've seen of her, but at least she looks strong, and that is a good thing. I don't care for what I've seen of him either because he looks like the guy at the PTA meeting that will keep asking questions long after everyone else wants to go home.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I'm waiting for the onslaught of criticism of Michelle Obama because, quite frankly, I don't think the maintstream media and political commentators know what to do with her. She's an African American Ivy League educated lawyer who's married, a mom, and earned (until recently) a pretty hefty salary (which, by the way, was not out of line with her credentials and experience). I'm an African American Ivy League educated wife and mom attorney, and so are a lot of my friends, and believe me, we do not fit the typical narrative. We are not unwed mothers, we are not fat, we do not come from dysfunctional homes, and we don't bob our heads from side to side when we speak. We're not depicted on TV sitcoms or reality shows. A lot of people have never encountered anyone like Michelle, so they're threatened by her. I fully expect to see more vague comments like "she's angry" or "I just don't like her" because she's going to make some people uncomfortable. In the meantime, I say more power to her! It will be wonderful to have a young happy, stable African American family in the White House.


Is this really how you think everyone looks at African Americans?

Anonymous
Huge YAY!! For me, this has nothing to do with race. She strikes me as very smart, passionate, driven and confident . . . and also fiercely loyal and loving to her husband and children. I think she would be a phenomenal role model for my DD, and I personally love the idea of having a first lady who understands the tensions and complexities that working women face.

On the race front, I think it would be fabulous to have an African American first family -- great modeling for the entire country, regardless of color.

And finally, how fun would it be to have children in the White House again?



Anonymous
would any of you support your husband running for president when your children were so young? I mean, really? Is this 1950? I thought the role and expectations of fatherhood had changed.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Huge YAY!! For me, this has nothing to do with race. She strikes me as very smart, passionate, driven and confident . . . and also fiercely loyal and loving to her husband and children. I think she would be a phenomenal role model for my DD, and I personally love the idea of having a first lady who understands the tensions and complexities that working women face.

On the race front, I think it would be fabulous to have an African American first family -- great modeling for the entire country, regardless of color.

And finally, how fun would it be to have children in the White House again?





They would be a role model for the whole world. The Africans love them. So do the Europeans. If the Obamas became the First Family, they could also mend the diplomatically tattered image and standing of the US in the world.

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