Hillary for President!
8 years ago
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Hey there my happy peoples!
I hope everyone had a nice long weekend! If you had to work yesterday, SORRY!
When I got to work this morning, on my desk lay a copy of Radar Magazine with Michelle Obama on the cover. The cover story read "What's So Scary about Michelle Obama?" Now, before I get into today's discussion, click on this link - all I can say is...David Alan Grier is a nut!
Now, we've all heard it said...Barack is too Black. He isn't Black enough. He's half Black. Whatever Black he is to you, as Tracy Morgan said, "Black is the new President!"
But what is undeniable is this: Michelle Obama is Black. Beautiful Black. Proud Black. Intelligent Black. But "scary" black? Huh?
Do they really think she'll be a "terrorist, fist bumping first lady" who calls people "whitey?" Really?
This woman is a Harvard educated attorney, a devoted wife, a loving mother and yes, America's next First Lady.
But is she scary because she's "really" black? No fair complexion or curly hair? No European features? Is it because she gets a relaxer and speaks her mind? What is so scary about her?
She's scary because she's not your stereotypical baby mama, neck snapping black woman with an attitude...even though they'd like to believe that that's what she'll be in the White House. They think she's the "angry black woman." She's scary because they don't know what to make of her. She doesn't fit into their box of who or what we Black women should be.
Let me tell you what is scary about her. She's a force to be reckoned with. That should scare the bjeezus out of everyone who doubts her.
She's the daughter of two parents who worked to raise their children together and to send their children to the best schools. She's an intelligent, professional woman, an educated woman, a hard worker, a woman who supports her husband, raises her kids, is private but outspoken, very busy, but disciplined and wants to work to make these United States a better place and shares that vision with Barack Obama and all of us. She's not angry, she's passionate. She's loyal. She's tough. She has a thick skin. And she's fierce!
And what do we Black women love most? The way Barack looks into her eyes. He loves that woman. Yes, he's the one in the spotlight. He's the one getting all the attention. But you get the sense that he knows who his rock is. He knows where his foundation lies, and it's in her eyes first that he seeks his validation. He adores her. We love that he loves a woman who looks like us. She didn't settle, nor should she have. Only the best for the best.
Michelle Obama is what Black women see in ourselves everyday. She's Black like me. She's our other self. She is what I would want my daughters to be. She shows us that we CAN be the best we can be, that we SHOULD be, that we were CREATED to be. We stand up for her because she stands up for us. She IS us. What's so scary about that? Not a damn thing.
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14 comments:
Hey Brooke - nicely said.
Michelle Obama is the Proverbs 31 woman which Christ speaks of.
I agree with you totally! I am so tired of main stream US white culture, labeling succesful intelligent black women as "special or the exception". We are not the exception and it is time that they realize it!
Hi Brooke,
Back on the scene and saying it well!!! That's so on point! I have always been very proud to be black and appreciate the fine, intelligent, thought provoking (positive!), strong willed black women of our race. Amen….matter of fact a double Amen to that!!!
Folks have always feared change, but more than that they fear the intelligence that she has and shows. The speech she gave at the convention spoke volumes of who she is and how capable she truly she can be. She is beautiful, articulate and so well grounded. A new Sheriff is in Town and his Wife is a force to be reckoned with as well. What a lovely 1st Family!! Always proud to be black but this make me especially proud to black and American. The grace and class the Obama’s have shown ~ The McCain camp is going down in flame because the heat of the fire that the Obama’s are putting down.
This is history in the making ~ Let us support this and enjoy it too!!!
Peace and Love
Dre
AMEN, AMEN and AMEN!!! It's just good for America to see what we see everyday. There are so many Michelle Obama's out there and Nic Nac (boogiebabi) is so right - we're the rule, not the exception. I can't wait for white America to get fully acquainted with what a REAL black woman looks like!
Brooke,
As always, we thank you for another well articulated blog. Your opinion of Michelle Obama and millions of other Black women is definitely on target.
My question to you is: how do we change the negative stereotypes we face as a people?
Let's face it, the Black American is viewed as a pariah to this society. Our African cousins won't even accept us. How do we expect White America to accept us?
I think we need to define ourselves and stop looking to other people to define and accept us. Michelle Obama holds herself to her own standard, not anyone else's. She holds herself to a higher standard. If we seek the best in ourselves and try to be the best "us" we can be on a daily basis, then what we show them is eventually what they'll see. They'll have no choice but to see how wonderful we are. We have to hold ourselves accountable for what we show to the world, and that means staying true to yourself first...in my opinion.
That's it ~ don't ever worry about what people think. Be your best self and they will know the quality and integrity that is within. It's all about how you hold it ~ how you speak, how write, how you walk and how you live. To thine self be true. When you do...people of all races will know your worth, but none greater than what you see in mirror.
I'm sure many of us, especially the subscribers to this blog, hold ourselves to a higher standard. Based on the limited interaction we share, I assume that we all "walk the walk" and "talk the talk". We present ourselves as proud Black Americans. Therefore, we don't look for others to define us.
However, no matter how well we present ourselves, no matter how high of a standard we hold ourselves to, they still do not accept us. Let's face it, if they did, Radar Magazine would have had a different cover story and we would not be having this discussion.
What are your thoughts?
well, actually, Radar Magazine's position was that she isn't scary at all, and that those who view her that way are narrow-minded or racist. They tell point by point how she ISN'T scary. It was a great article celebrating her.
But truth is, I don't care to be accepted by White America. I don't care what they think of me. I care what my mother thinks of me, what my sister thinks of me, what my closest friends think of me. But even with their acceptance, the first acceptance has to come from me. And if no one else jumps on board, then that's their problem. There are always going to be those that won't accept you no matter what you do, what you look like, or what views you hold. We can't live our lives for them. We can't act hoping that THEY will accept us. If you live your life the way God wants you to, then the only acceptance that matters is His.
Well said...between you and Dre...what more can I say ;-)
Yes, Torri...Proverbs 31 does come to mind :-)
I agree with you wholeheartedly. but my point was Radar wouldn't not have written the article if the "narrow-minded or racist" person didn't exist.
No matter what we do, there will always be a narrow-minded person or racist out there. That will never go away, not in my opinion anyway. I think this election has brought about a much needed discussion about racism and politics because it can't be ignored, but it'll never completely go away....no matter who we are or what we do. We just have to live our lives knowing that, but it should have no influence on how we carry ourselves.
u write well
Nice spot u have here, hope u don’t mind the drive by, do chk me out one day
rawdawgbuffalo and if u like what u read, maybe u will come back, even Blog Roll Me
Thanks Torrance, I'll check you out, definitely!
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