I Just Don’t See Her in the White House
By T. Richard
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Like many, I was anxious to see the Vogue Italia all Black issue in July, with its four page pull-out cover featuring Liya Kebede, Sissilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell. Three of them were striking with their silky-straight long black hair and all of them with porcelain-doll perfect (presumably also airbrushed) features were beautiful. With all the hype before it came out, I was one of the excited ones who thought “Yes! for once I’m not going to grumble about the dismal representation of Black women’s images in a mainstream fashion magazine.â€
Alas, I don’t read or speak Italian, so the images were my focus more than the articles that followed them. However, past the pull out cover were the noticeable thirteen pages of ads for Valentino, Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior — all featuring White faces.  Although most of the rest of the magazine held up to the “all-Black†theme, I guess some just didn’t see a magazine with only Black women. I would say that in some way, that prepared me for when I heard grumblings about the image of the prospects of one Black woman in a very White world.
I should first say that many viewers and listeners to Michelle Obama’s media and campaign appearances are not focusing on her image – thank you! A simple Internet search however, will provide you with quotes both friendly and unfriendly about the prospective First Lady’s images. For example, on October 11, 2008, L. Williams responds to a blog post discussing Mrs. Obama’s appearance on Larry King Live, entitled Discussion blog post to Video of Michelle on Larry King: Reacts to Ayers and “That One†on www.michelleobamawatch.com “PLEASE SOMEONE TALK TO MICHELLE ABOUT DRESSING. NO SLEEVELESS CLOTHES WITHOUT A JACKET. HOW ABOUT SUITS. NO FLATS. SURELY SHE CAN GET A STYLIST. LETS NOT BE GHETTO FABULOUS NOW. HOPEFULLY, SHE WILL BE AMERICA’S FIRST LADY. NOT CHICAGO SOUTHSIDE!â€
Detroit, Michigan July 16th 2008, I was sitting in a café with a girlfriend and not intentionally eavesdropping, we heard a group of Black girlfriends talking about the 2008 presidential elections like most of the country has for most of this year, but they were specifically talking about Michelle Obama:
Girlfriend A: “Man, I want Obama to win, but nah, his wife ain’t even pretty.â€
Chuckles ensued amongst three of them.
Girlfriend B: “I just don’t see it. I just don’t see her in the White house, for real.â€
The only Girlfriend who didn’t seem to agree with the rest, said: “Ya’ll are wrong. That’s why we don’t get ahead, what do you mean you don’t see her in the White House? Do you want her to look like a Barbie doll or something?†With no insult intended, the responses were ludicrous, and thankfully I can’t remember most of them, but there was one:
Girlfriend C retorted: “Now come on, you’re telling me if Obama was married to a White woman, we’d be having this discussion? No, we wouldn’t, because we would all see her in the White house.â€
Now I can only imagine what kind of discussion would be going on if this last scenario actually was the case.
Like many prospective first ladies before and current, Michelle Obama is educated, well established in her community, professionally accomplished and probably most important, a fearless supporter of her mate. That last trait is especially important because come November 4th, 2008 when millions of us wake up early enough to vote, trying not to get stuck in those long voting lines, it’s her husband together with Senator John McCain whose image, experience and future plans for America that have to be in our minds as we choose our next president, and not whether or not we see either Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain in the White house.
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I’m not concerned with how Michelle chooses to dress.I’m concerned with how she stands by Her Husband while he’s trying to correct the mess in the White House. Her educational back ground speaks for her !! Not what she’s wearing while in the white house !! Sista’s get a grip…
> nycnnc
I like the top and you brought up some good points in the article but I think I expected more controversy.
> JJ
Others need to come to the realization that it is not wat a First Lady wears that makes up who she is. The character, support, professionalism, and class that Michelle perserveres should outshine whatever she wears. Many people could only dream to be in her shoes.
> Chardonee Wright
I am sick of sisters putting down sisters. Lift me up before you put me down. Michelle is a beautiful black woman. This woman is making history by being the first black First Lady in the White House,this should give us all a sense of pride. If she’s not pretty her intelligence makes her pretty.
> Mrs.Mallery
of course, BW hating on BW. so typical! and they want accuse society and BM for putting them down? and the article says what if OBama were married to a WW? if he were, he would not have been elected so there would be nothing to talk about. BW nationwide would have not supported him
> ruserious
oh yeah, lets see how long before borach is getting head from those horny ass white women. his wife mite be like all black women ,have a head ache ,r is always too tired..hopefully he want leave her.. but hopefully, she aint no gold digger. but if she real, we’ll see.
> tommy
Tommy, keep in mind that MICHELLE was the one making the money for a long time before Barack was. Shut your mouth before I smack you over the head with a book.
Also, some women need to get it together. That’s nothing but jealousy. Seriously, we can internalize our self-hatred something awful.
> A.
do you think Mrs. Obama – gives a hoot about your opinion. I think NOT
> cynthia
I love and respect Michelle Obama. But she’s just average looking to me. Sorry.
> Renee
There is nothing wrong with looking average, if you ask around its actually more appealing and sexy to be yourself and that is why I like the Obama’s they portray everyday, real people, not brushed up fantasy ads.
> Bettya
The one’s that can’t see Michelle in the White House are the ones who are dark skinned and look average just like she does. This means that they have a problem with themselves! I am dark skinned, and it looks natural to me for her to be in the White House. I don’t have a problem with my skin color,looks,etc. The media has really brainwashed us to think that light/pale skin, blue/green/hazel colored eyes, easy to manage flowing hair is the only form of beauty (it doesn’t matter if it is fake)!
> Ebony
As an Afro American I couldn’t ever see almost any of the previous first ladies in the white house. nLeave her alone. Never judge a book by its cover.
> Logan R. Lorentz
I’m wit you Cynthia, after all SHE is MARRIED to the President of the United States. I say: ha, ha, ha to all the hatin’ azz **tches…
And on another note, I’m chocolate w/dreads, I think Mrs. Obama is beautiful and I love her and I’m with ruserious cause I damn sure would not have voted for Obama had his wife been of ANY other presuasion.
> Teene
Michelle Obama is educated, articulate, gracious, beautiful. She’s brought class with a capital C back to the White House. And if I had beautiful, sculpted, toned arms like her, I’d be sleeveless, too.
> Kathy Lehman
There’s so much going on in the world why should we care about the looks of another person ( find a mirror ).
jessica
> jessica
The topic is quite hot in the net right now. What do you pay attention to when choosing what to write ?
> Heartburn Home Remedy
Black people are so judgemental of each other. If anyone White would say some of the dumb things that have been said there would be crys of racism. Black people have so much self-hatred its not funny. I am so sick and tired of this. Slavery ended a long time ago but your minds are still enslaved.
> Sharon
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