First Lady Got Back
I read an op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times a few days ago and that was the title. It originally ran on Salon.com and was written by Erin Aubry Kaplan, who introduces the piece saying, “I'm a black woman who never thought I'd see a powerful, beautiful female with a body like mine in the White House. Then I saw Michelle Obama -- and her booty!”
Kaplan’s essay isn’t just fluff. It delves into areas such as the fetishization of the African-American woman’s behind throughout history, and the lack of attainable body image ideals for black women in today’s society. Her ultimate point is that Michelle Obama, a beautiful, statuesque woman with curves for days, is ushering in a new beauty norm. She looks nothing like any First Lady before her, and rather similar to many of our black friends, family members and coworkers. Kaplan discusses the frequent comparisons between Obama and Jackie Kennedy and writes, “While I appreciate the spirit, I beg to differ. To put it bluntly, Jackie had no back. Same can be said for gaunt Cindy McCain and the short-lived Republican sexpot Sarah Palin. Jackie was trim and perfect, an inoffensive figure who bucked the curviness of the '50s and put American femininity on the treacherous path of smaller-is-better. Jackie was also a blue blood and a society woman -- an elite! -- so although she set new beauty and fashion paradigms, she also followed old ones.”
Sir Mix-A-Lot references aside, this is an interesting discussion but part of me wonders, is it necessary? The Obamas aren’t even on Pennsylvania Avenue yet but already there are articles springing up about HER BUTT?? Is this necessary?
I don’t deny the importance of the topic in general –hello, I’m a body image writer myself! Discussing ethnic and cultural differences in body acceptance is a fascinating topic. And the fact is, as Kaplan writes, “ordinary black women have waited a long time for this… In a country simultaneously obsessed with consumer excess and weight control, we've been caught in the middle. Throw race into the mix, and we've been downright strangled. The expectations run something like this: It's OK for black women to be heavier than most, but we still have to conform to a universal (that is, white) standard of thinness and shape. This means that, even if you're 120 pounds, your butt better not account for more than 2 percent of that.”
I suppose I just never thought about the fact that Michelle will be representing a brand new physical aesthetic, one that hasn’t been filled in such a manner in…well, ever. The First Lady WILL look different than any other First Lady and many, many young women across the globe will have a new role model to look up to. But not JUST because of her body – because she is strong and accomplished and capable and a straight-shooter.
And yes, I suppose, because she’s got a great boot-ay.
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Comments
Date: 06/17/2009 - 07:57 pm
I am so tired of hearing about Michelle Obama's arms and athletic statue. To be hones, I do not think she is in good shape at all. She is not proportional at all. I find it totally offensive that she is being admired for her shape when she does not look good. The "white dress" at the inauguration looked like she did battle with a bird....and she lost.
Please let's support each other....not Michelle
Date: 02/01/2009 - 04:57 pm
What's so funny is that on a lot of the black women blogs in cyberspace they are mad at people for talking about Michelle being tall and athetic as someone else mentioned. One one hand they are glad she's not stick thin--but on the other hand they seem to be upset that she's not roly poly either and to point out how fit she is somehow offends a lot of the women there.
Apparently that's too close to masucline? I don't get it. The same women who don't mind being called plus sized, or thick, or the wost IMHO "big girls" take offense that Michelle Obama is being heralded for her athletic figure--which at 40 + is as much about taking care of herself as it is about genes.
It's gotten extrmely ridiculous the way black women, including Kaplan, are projecting all their issues onto Michelle Obama. She's pear shaped like MOST WOMEN of all races! No big deal. She's just lucky enough to have height and good muscle tone on her side !
Date: 01/20/2009 - 11:30 am
I think that we as women, not black, not white, need to quit looking at those in the public eye as a role model for what we should look like. It is not necessary for us all to look the same. God made us all shapes and sizes and we just need to deal with it. There is nothing wrong with any kinds of bodies that dont put our health and lives on the line. That is the bottom line...why do people have to attack Michelle or every little thing? This has been the nastiest year of elections that I have seen. She is a person with feelings too. One thinks that if they put someone else down or pick on them that it will make them feel better, well guess what? It only makes them look like the asses that they are!
Date: 01/20/2009 - 11:30 am
I think that we as women, not black, not white, need to quit looking at those in the public eye as a role model for what we should look like. It is not necessary for us all to look the same. God made us all shapes and sizes and we just need to deal with it. There is nothing wrong with any kinds of bodies that dont put our health and lives on the line. That is the bottom line...why do people have to attack Michelle or every little thing? This has been the nastiest year of elections that I have seen. She is a person with feelings too. One thinks that if they put someone else down or pick on them that it will make them feel better, well guess what? It only makes them look like the asses that they are!
Date: 12/14/2008 - 04:32 pm
It', truly amazing how shallow people can be and let the whole world know it, I say shame on you!!!Michelle has accomplished so much in her life [being a black woman] its unbelivable how much she is being taken for granted already. (all you haters ) leave her butt alone and give her ,her props. She's got the whole package and she did it being herself and not living up to anyones expectations but her own. haaaayyyyy !!!!!!!!!! How YOU Doing