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The First Lady

Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:38 | Politics

Much has been made about President Obama's first 100 days in office. What has been First Lady Michelle Obama’s impact?

 

Comments

Michelle as the First Lady: Influence and Impact

Submitted by Whitney J. (not verified) on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 19:21.

In the first 100 days of the historical administration, Michelle Obama, as the first lady, who presumably represents the beauty and grace that embodies womanhood (specifically in America), has been the source of both public scrutiny and infatuation. Much of this publicity roots from her carefully crafted image, the warm mother/wife, a derivation from the "angry Black woman" persona that she was painted with during the campaign. While she has been quite charming, The New York Times article written by Rachel Swarns states it well, saying, "The image that Mrs. Obama is projecting fails to fully reflect the multifaceted first lady. A Harvard-trained lawyer and former hospital vice president, she is also a tough-minded professional who cares deeply about influencing public policy and sometimes promotes legislation at her events."
 
Although she has promoted the stimulus package and weighed in on the selection of the recently nominated chief executive of Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, the national service agency that has been allotted $1.1 billion in the president’s budget, Michelle Obama is more than the fuchsia-dress-wearing-vegetable-planting-woman she has been as of late. And as the term progresses, she will begin to exemplify her other characteristics more often.
 
That being said, I, as an African American young woman, find Michelle Obama's impact to be wide-spread and extremely influential. Her mere presence gives young women like myself another woman of color to look to as a source of motivation and positivity, especially in the whirl-wind of media focused primarily on the negative portrayal of African American women.
 
Her speech at the girls' school in Britain was heartfelt and really spoke about her perseverance as a woman of humble beginnings. I look at her successes and from them, I procure all kind of possibilities for myself. She has exhibited not only grace, but has shown that it is possible to be both beautiful and intelligent, while simultaneously existing within greater culture as a strong Black woman. Whitney J. for wikirocks.wordpress.com

First Lady Michelle Obama

Submitted by S. Denice Newton (not verified) on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 08:12.

When Senator Barack Obama first threw his political aspirations into the "presidential" ring, I didn't know him and frankly, didn't care much about him. I was a Clinton fan, and certainly a supporter of Hillary. The mere fact that she was a Clinton coupled with the fact that she was a woman gave me more reason to support her than the man who would become the nation's first black president.

But after listening to heated rhetoric and a being exposed to a daily overdose of media commentary, things started to change. I began to listen to Mr. Obama. I liked his speeches. I felt his sincerity and genuiness. I loved the impact that he was having on people all over the globe. He managed, at least on the surface, to bridge racial gaps, gender gaps, educational gaps, and others.

But the thing that really demanded and received my attention was Michelle Obama. A lot of black people are accustomed to highly successful black men choosing women that are either not black or so light in complexion that she could easily pass for another race. But not Barack Obama. When I saw that his wife was a "real black woman," I was astounded, proud, and grateful. When she made the "first time in my life I'm proud of my country" comment and was consequently verbally lynched for doing so, I ran to her defense. I mean, who can honestly say that they've always been proud of a country guilty of of its own racial genocide through slavery? A nation guilty of stripping a people of its culture, heritage, language, and native land? Let's be honest here.

Anyway, I turned a lot of my thoughts and attention on Mrs. Obama. This highly-educated, well-spoken, authentic human being is an icon in her own right. She has accomplished much and has done so quietly, out of the probing, skeptical eye of the mainstream media. Her success as a professional, scholar, wife, mother, daughter, friend, and role model is second to none. I couldn't care less if Michelle Obama wore moo-moos and house dresses all day. It is her intellect and beautiful spirit that really defines her. The "angry black woman" label was not only unjust, it was an outright lie designed to smear and halt the building momentum of Barack Obama's presidential run.

Michelle Obama has uplifted, encouraged, and inspired many women across the planet with her authenticity. Personally, she has shown me that determination provides the energy to get around any and all obstacles. I love her. She is my hero.

Michelle

Submitted by Beverly Haywood (not verified) on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 16:53.

Michelle is my INSPIRATION!

When I lost my job and home in the bay area (San Francisco/Oakland) I moved to Santa Barbara, Ca and started school at University of Santa Barbara and finished on my master. Michelle has given me so much courage through her speeches, her humbleness, loving and caring way about people.

Now I'm moving on from California and starting fresh and continue my journey and opening another chapter in my life in Dallas, Tx......

REACH OUT to ALL, PLease

Submitted by Tavis Smiley Fan (not verified) on Sat, 05/02/2009 - 20:11.

I work in a hog slaughter plant in Worthgton, MN.
While talk of Michelle's shoes, clothes etc, is great fodder for the tabloids and fashionistas, its FLUFF, if not downright dander.

I work with persons of possibly up to 100 nations. It's a beautiful mix of humanity--- the poor, the tired, the yearning to be free and survive, and have a friend in America

These are the people that I want Michelle to care about---not their Union bosses who are looking for paybacks from Michelle's husband.

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