Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Daily Jezzie: Baby Got Back

Jezebel posted about an article from Salon.com in which a black female writer praises Michelle Obama's behind. Reading the comments, I was surprised at the number of negative reactions. Some seem really dismissive and reductive, like snarks about not being told one had to be black to have a big butt. We get it! Black woman aren't the only ones with big butts. No duh! However, hair issues and body image issues are indeed present among black woman and the writer of the article, a black woman, is writing about it. For this writer to say in an article that Michelle's physical appearance is a source of pride and reassurance isn't something that should be dismissed. It is so rare for ANY woman to see someone who comes close to looking like her is cause for celebration. We have been inundated for years now with bony bitches who look like the sight of a sandwich will make them pass out. Why not praise Mrs. Obama's "fuller" figure. And even that kind of cheeses me off because, really? That's full-figured, America? I guess it's better than J.Lo. And to imply that her appearance isn't gonna change anything is forgetting that a First Lady's fashion sense could have an impression (hellooooo, Jackie O, anyone?) The excerpts in Jezzie's post in no way imply that Michelle Obama isn't also intelligent; it just shows an appreciation for her on a different level. And since this same site felt the need to post pictures of a shirtless Mr. Obama surfing a few months ago, it seems a bit hypocritical to go crowing against making comments on this intelligent person's physical appearance.

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