I love Michelle Obama.
She is smart, gracious, beautiful and outspoken.
I believe she is also the perfect black woman as FLOTUS to a black man elected as POTUS.
I have not been easy on President Obama.
There are a number of us who are perplexed and frustrated by what has appeared to be political complacency on his part with regard to his speaking, (or rather not speaking!) publicly to issues such as overzealous policing of people of color, and solidarity with African nations in the wake of terrorism as he has shown with European countries.
But yesterday during a phone conversation with another black woman whose brilliance I respect, I was enlightened to a possibility that I've since come to recognize as very plausible in light of the many attacks on social media against Michelle Obama by American racists.
The First Lady speaks to issues that President Obama himself is not as free to address in a manner that is sterner and more forthcoming. Just as the queen in a chess game can move as the king is unable to, Michelle Obama pulls no punches. She speaks to Black America unreservedly and from the heart on some of the issues that burden our souls and stymies our morale. Unhindered in the way that her husband is as the "leader of the free world" who has taken an oath that precludes him from "bucking the system" in which he is enmeshed, (a condition Barack Obama had no problem accepting and pursuing though knowing very well it would hinder him in furthering the ascendance of non white people in a white supremacist society...but I will not speak further on this point here!)Mrs. Obama extends herself to being of The People, HER people, rather than above and far removed from their collective conscience.
Which brings me back to the subject of the disrespect and denigration hurled at Michelle Obama by foul mouthed, racist factions of White America.
Racist White America, which was built on patriarchy. Patriarchy, which umbrellas not only racism, but misogyny and sexism as well, among other ugly isms and phobias perpetuated in this country!
Although a great number of racists most probably never liked Barack or Michelle Obama anyway, it should be noted that it was not until she began to be more vocal on issues plaguing black Americans in America did she become blatantly reviled, insulted, and her femininity mocked and even questioned, (having been called post-op trangender, a man in a 'former life'!) and unattractive as a black woman.
The two main problems patriarchal-minded racists have with Michelle Obama is that:
1.She is black, accomplished in her own right and a woman.
2. She is a woman who does not "know her place"!
How dare she actually 'speak out, as a man would'?
Doesn't she know that such a trait makes her the antithesis of the demure white woman and the 'acceptable' mute black woman?
How
DARE
she???
Well she dares!
And in my eyes she is even more adored, and RESPECTED, for doing so!
With that being said, it is highly unlikely that a woman of such commendable character would be married to a man with no social consciousness as I'd begun suspecting regarding our President. That
just doesn't stand to reason.
More likely it is a situation of a partnership where the ideals and the concerns about the treatment of black people in this country and the thwarting of the dreams and aspirations of its black youth MATTERS. (They are raising two black youth themselves whom have also not escaped the scathing and hateful bile directed at the Obama's in general!)
I love Michelle Obama.
The President is more than fortunate to have her in his corner, as we are to have her as our First Lady.
Checkmate.
And long live the queen!
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