The Washington Post’s Robin Givhan goes all gooey for Michelle Obama again at the top of the Style section on Friday, comparing the First Lady to Clair Huxtable, or as explained by the caption under their pictures: "As portrayed by Phylicia Rashad, Clair Huxtable was an accomplished yet down-to-earth figure. In Michelle Obama, the nation now has another symbol of success and style." Givhan writes with an admiration so dazzled that you worry she’s going to faint:
She serves as a symbol of middle-class progress, feminist achievement, affirmative-action success and individual style. And she has done all this on the world stage...while being black.
Time and again, observers grasp for adjectives to describe Obama's combination of professional accomplishment and soccer-mom maternalism. It's no wonder so many eye her with awe and disbelief. Or why a minority still view her with suspicion. There have been few broad cultural precedents for what she represents.
Givhan hailed how "Historically, television has been more progressive than reality, preparing society for the moment when what only existed in the shadow surges into the spotlight," but television "rarely introduced viewers to anyone like Michelle Obama. The last similarly accomplished and wholesome black woman" on TV was Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show.
Playing off a column in the hard-left Nation magazine by professor Patricia Williams, Givhan complained that few black female characters on television "really reflects a generation of black women with advanced degrees, solid self-esteem, and no anger issues."
Set aside for a moment the idea that Michelle Obama’s never displayed "anger issues," while we wait for the story of what happened to Jackie Norris, fired as the First Lady’s chief of staff only four months into the job. Givhan really overplays just how awfully racist American culture has been up until this moment:
In a culture in which every white woman is presumed to be Everywoman until proven out of the mainstream, Obama has brought the normalcy of black women into the broader social consciousness. All it took were her two Ivy League degrees, a six-figure boardroom salary, a Norman Rockwell family, soccer-mom bona fides and an ability to dress herself without the aid of an entourage.
In many ways, the first lady has made people see -- really see -- black women for the first time. [Italics hers.] For example, when a black model appeared on the May cover of Vogue, news articles credited the "Obama effect," ignoring the concerted lobbying by fashion industry activists that began long before Barack Obama was even a presidential contender.
The role of style in defining the first lady might easily be dismissed as a distraction from more substantive issues. But Williams says the fan magazine breathlessness is significant because "it implies a kind of parity we really needed."
A reader who's not black or female can sympathize with the feeling that black women are undervalued or mischaracterized in pop culture. But the Post and Givhan seem unaware of how they're casting their readers as backward racist and/or sexist rubes whose heads are filled with crude stereotypes -- that is, until the vision, the colossus that is Michelle Obama graced the public stage.
The Post and Givhan also seem unaware of how this gooey prose about Michelle's perfection can really sound like the mandated meringues of a state-run newspaper in a airless dictatorship.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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There have been few broad
June 19, 2009 - 07:34 ET by Dan The Man 2There have been few broad cultural precedents for what she represents.
Herman Munster?
I'm thinking more like
June 19, 2009 - 09:17 ET by PeskyDaneI'm thinking more like this one.
Bad, Pesky! Very, very bad. Now go sit in the corner for 10 minutes.
Nah, James Brown. I will
June 19, 2009 - 09:49 ET by sanergononlibNah, James Brown. I will have to admit that I do regard her with suspicion whenever I see a a picture of her wearing pants; I wonder, are those two hams struffed in the back of her pants and is she trying to steal them?
That is why I have always......
June 19, 2009 - 13:18 ET by BEGRUNTrefered to her as the "First Klingon"......she has all the manners and traditions of the Klingon Empire....AUK BOK PITOK!!!!!(Translation: Submit to my will you lowly humans!!)
The First Couple
June 19, 2009 - 17:17 ET by PittsburghAfterDarkWho says Washington isn't a place of fairy tales and make believe?
Our first couple features Bambi being married to Chewbacca.
I don't even think the 7 year old girl next door could come up with that pretend marriage for her and her brothers toys.
Pride
June 19, 2009 - 07:38 ET by nadadhimmiI was never proud of her in my adult life until her husband was elected President. It's all different now though.(SARC OFF) WILL THIS FATUOUS BUTT KISSING NEVER END?
Wow. Givhan didn't say
June 19, 2009 - 07:46 ET by SickofLibsWow. Givhan didn't say "descended from slaves" even once.
No, but she is racist...in
June 19, 2009 - 09:19 ET by kgNo, but she is racist...in a complementary way. Givhan is awed only because Michelle is black and feels she needs to find something she can compliment her on. She doesn't understand that middle class progress happens only when you work hard to get ahead. As far as affirmative action success, Michelle can only thank Obama for affording her the opportunity to make large sums of money.
Professional accomplishment is a big stretch but he hit a home run with the soccer-mom maternalism. Other than that Givhan is only speaking for Givhan and no one else. She is delusional to think most people are in awe as much as she is. She needs to get out amongst the real world.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
Givhan conveniently skips
June 19, 2009 - 07:59 ET by motherbeltGivhan conveniently skips over the fact that a lot of blacks are irritated because she doesn't patronize black designers.
And it's obvious that no matter what Michelle wears, Givhan would oooh and aaaah....since when did slapping cardigans over virtually everything become high fashion? (Good grief. Is she actually wearing a a belt with this triple-trimmed top and TWO cardigans here?)
And really, Robin, or someone should tell Michelle to lose those wide belts she insists on wearing on top of the cardigans. What the dress doesn't do, the belted cardigan does: i.e. make her look terribly short waisted, and her behind look as if she's hauling a trailer.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
MB, You should've been a
June 19, 2009 - 12:24 ET by Chris NormanMB,
You should've been a fashion critic. That was worthy of "The Devil Wears Prada". "Hauling a trailer" LOL...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
mother...Exactly!
June 19, 2009 - 12:54 ET by PrairieSky"...since when did slapping cardigans over virtually everything become high fashion?...And really, Robin, or someone should tell Michelle to lose those wide belts she insists on wearing on top of the cardigans. What the dress doesn't do, the belted cardigan does: i.e. make her look terribly short waisted, and her behind look as if she's hauling a trailer."
My sentiments exactly! Michelle Obama should stay away from anything that appears to cut her in half, because as you said, it does make her look very short waisted, and just accentuates her rather generous backside...
As far as Ms. Givhan is concerned, ENOUGH already with the breathless prose about Michelle Obama and what she wears...Good Lord...
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Some truth
June 19, 2009 - 07:56 ET by DingbatThere is some truth here: I do eye her with disbelief. Her husband too.
Yes, def.
June 19, 2009 - 08:35 ET by bedmondsonI am sure everyone saw what she wore last week? I mean, god! everyone knows not wear black on a Tuesday.
My main issue with the MSM's fawning
June 19, 2009 - 08:02 ET by spmcintyreover the 1st Lady's apparent over abundance of classiness and style is that, in general, most women she is supposedly idolized by, have nothing in common with her. I live in a semi urban area, and the only time I see a woman that could be honestly compared to the 1st Lady, is in a business setting, that would indicate by sterotypes, that she is a republican/conservative, and we all know that when a not white woman is a successful republican, or conservative, then she is an Aunt Tom, or a sell out, or fill in the blank bad characterization they in the MSM labeled Condi Rice with, or any other conservative not white women.
If the Obamas were white, there would be very little of this sycophantic fawning occuring.
If the Obamas were black conservatives, the MSM would be bashing them at every turn.
there is no spoon...
No kidding...where were all
June 19, 2009 - 08:13 ET by motherbeltNo kidding...where were all the articles about how educated and successful DR. Rice is....including the fact that on top of everything else she is an accomplished pianist?
No, all we got from them were hateful caricatures of her with thick lips (no racism there, of course!) snipes about her hair straightener (do they think Michelle's hair looks like this naturally?) and other forms of unfettered hatred.
They are shameless.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
The emporer with no clothes
June 19, 2009 - 08:07 ET by EddieWalkerShe reminds me of the old classic about the emeror without any clothes. Everybody knows she looks rediculous, but nobody is brave enough to say anything. To me, she reminds me of a teenager who is just learning about fashion and makeup, but goes over the top and doesn't realize when she looks silly. Michelle needs somebody to tell her that less is more and that expensive has nothing to do with class. It dosn't matter who the designer is or how much it cost, it's how you present yourself. My guess is the reason the media goes so ga-ga for her is that to report the truth would ruin their carreers.
I'm with you, Tim. I
June 19, 2009 - 08:07 ET by motherbeltI'm with you, Tim.
I can't believe Givhan actually said "no anger issues" with a straight face. Of course, we couldn't see her as she was typing.....
Good everlovin' grief!!
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
OMO, Just Wow
June 19, 2009 - 08:18 ET by BlondeHow much fawning is too much fawning?
Tim....I think you've found the answer.
I can't say anymore, I'd go off on an epic rant. This Obama fascination is absolutely insane.
I hope he fails, too.
I agree, b.... They
June 19, 2009 - 09:31 ET by motherbeltI agree, B.....
They collectively jumped the shark on this a long time ago.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Blonde,From the white
June 19, 2009 - 12:50 ET by Chris NormanBlonde,
From the white members of the MSM, so much fawning and over-praise sounds phony and to me, demonstrates a kind of racism. If I were black I would say, "This is too much. Enough already!"
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Of course YOU would, Chris
June 19, 2009 - 13:04 ET by BlondeHowever, the One & MO are grooving on the adulation. They probably actually believe this pap.
I hope he fails, too.
I'm black; I find the
June 20, 2009 - 00:15 ET by CamelopardalisI'm black; I find the obsession over Michelle Obama creepy and am amazed by the level of delusion her supporters have regarding her capabilities and features. Everything she does is 'the best' or 'unprecedented.' Even her body is 'the most beautiful.' Just yesterday someone wrote on HuffPo that the first lady has the best breasts of any first lady. The woman is hardly an A-cup!
Yep
June 20, 2009 - 20:46 ET by doug1950Just like high school all over again.
I wonder does Michelle play
June 19, 2009 - 08:22 ET by USA4freedomI wonder does Michelle play golf??
If she does she can take on.. Kim Jong-Il
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2004/ea_nkorea_06_16.html
It would be like 80 under par..
Just another day in the state run media..
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Nah, no golf. She's too
June 19, 2009 - 09:39 ET by motherbeltNah, no golf. She's too busy gardening.
LOL she had students come and help!
It’s never too soon — and apparently you can’t be too young — to start logging those “mandatory” “volunteer” hours. -FreedomFairy
Can you imagine if Laura Bush had dug a vegetable garden at the White House???
The MSM would be comparing her to Granny Clampett.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
mb... ...as if she really
June 19, 2009 - 13:12 ET by bigtimermb...
...as if she really had dirt under her fine finger-nails.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
her fine finger-nails.
June 19, 2009 - 18:12 ET by Rukus"...her fine finger-nails."
And don't forget bt, they are SO toned!
Time for a barf bag! Urp!
Gary
The answer is clear, and it mixes well with orange juice! - My Dad
And that's my excuse! - Me
Humm I wonder...
June 19, 2009 - 08:26 ET by jdripperHow does she do it? OMG having a staff of 115 at the White House, limos, helicopters, jets, her own personal staff, military staff and all the rest. Just shaking my head. Damn she is just wonder woman.
The first first lady ever be a mother in the White House. The first first lady to ever have an advanced degree. The first first lady to have multiple children.
Tears forming in my eyes. I am not worthy to even write her name I will just say first lady. I am so ashamed that I am not better.
Rolling eyes.
Jack
"If at age 20 you are a conservative then you have no heart. If at age 30 you are a liberal then you have no brains." Sir Winston Churchill
Jdripper, Spitting coffee
June 19, 2009 - 08:53 ET by USA4freedomJdripper,
Spitting coffee funny..
“I’m not worthy”.. “I’m not worthy”
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/waynes-world-aerosmith/2465/
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
That's good!
June 19, 2009 - 09:33 ET by BlondeAnd USA's comments (Wayne's World....schwiiiiing) are spot on, too!
Thanks for the laughs you guys.
I hope he fails, too.
Hey blonde, I don’t even
June 19, 2009 - 10:15 ET by USA4freedomHey blonde,
I don’t even know why but every time I see Michelle I think of Chewbacca..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjQMpBb1gps
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Thanks, USA
June 19, 2009 - 11:20 ET by BlondeI'd not seen that video before, too funny.
I hope he fails, too.
Put me down in the Disbelief
June 19, 2009 - 09:00 ET by JustAlPut me down in the Disbelief column. Although these days it's hard for the state run media to surprise me.
I was going to say...
June 19, 2009 - 11:03 ET by Kat Outta the BagAwe? No. Disbelief? Pretty much, yeah.
Gimme a Break!
June 19, 2009 - 09:10 ET by 76UnitedThis woman is not beautiful. She's barely OK. She dresses like a Cirque de Soleil reject and if I ever saw her riding a horse, I would think that a "Planet of the Apes" remake is being filmed.
I keep wondering
June 19, 2009 - 09:11 ET by KellyRwhen the main stream media is going to get sick of genuflecting and start reporting relevant news. Most people want to know just one thing -- when is the economy going to recover. Not that Obama swatted a fly. Not his wife's latest ensemble. Not what furniture the dog has torn up. At some point, maybe in a year or two, they'll finally start doing their job after it sinks in what sycophantic nonsense they've participated in.
Disbelief. yep
June 19, 2009 - 09:23 ET by mattmDisbelief. yep
Limo-lib racism
June 19, 2009 - 09:31 ET by GalvanicMichelle Obama benefits greatly from the Culture of Low Expectations. The Leftist elite holds minorities to a lower standard.
Thus, when Mrs. Obama -- not unlike millions of American women, a female professional with children -- hits the spotlight with a husband who is treated like a Messiah, the Lefties and their MSM lapdogs fawn all over her. What they are really saying is, "Wow! We didn't know an African-American woman could be a lawyer and a mom, too!" and "She must be VERY special to have been chosen by the Messiah!"
Compare their awe with that over Hillary Clinton when she first came to the White House. Very similar in general -- remember the St. Hillary cover -- but less intense because Clinton is white.
They are just enthralled with Obama because of their own subconscious racism.
Unreal
June 19, 2009 - 09:55 ET by Stop2think"She serves as a symbol of middle-class progress, feminist achievement, affirmative-action success and individual style. And she has done all this on the world stage...while being black" Umm, she couldn't have benefited from AA if she were white could she? I never knew AA would be worn as a badge of pride as opposed to shame but what do I know? Michelle is the most overrated First Lady I know. If you like your women like Olive Oil (skinny, sleeveless, and gangly) she is your woman. But honestly, what has she accomplished? I love the libs who rave over her like she was a the second coming of the Elephant Man (oh, look, the poor man can dress in a suit and enjoy a play...how quaint! And how progressive we are to fawn over him like we do).
Im in disbelief that theres
June 19, 2009 - 10:00 ET by charlietexasIm in disbelief that theres two men married in the white house.
Barry and Michael. we've come so far.........wow
mom
What obstacles did Michelle overcome?
June 19, 2009 - 10:03 ET by ekslibThe world was her oyster.
At the time Hillary went to college, women weren't even allowed to enroll as Princeton freshmen.
Black men were allowed to attend Princeton for many decades before women (of any color) were.
"Michelle Obama dresses like a slutty stewardess"
June 19, 2009 - 10:05 ET by ekslib(One of the things you won't hear Letterman say)
Not the Barry I know
June 19, 2009 - 10:23 ET by sevenBarry, does this dress make my butt look big?
Barry is the best politician on the planet and voted "present"
→ No seven
June 19, 2009 - 12:10 ET by Cool ArrowI'm thinking it's a high lard content diet that does it.
♣ a seal
CA... ...and they have
June 19, 2009 - 13:14 ET by bigtimerCA...
...and they have the audicity to tell US how to eat...it's hysterical coming from Michelle...really it is.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
→ True bt
June 19, 2009 - 14:17 ET by Cool ArrowSpeaking of diets, have you seen the video of Obama eating a booger?
♣ a seal
CA... Ohhhh...My.....Gawd!
June 19, 2009 - 14:21 ET by bigtimerCA...
Ohhhh...My.....Gawd!
I'm laughing so loud...that is hilarious.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
→ Barry Booger Eater
June 19, 2009 - 14:25 ET by Cool ArrowPorgy Tire Biter?
I think it's obvious. If a Republican got caught mining for gold and eating up the proifits, it would be viral on youtube.
Watch as Obama eats a booger.
♣ a seal
Awesome?
June 19, 2009 - 10:28 ET by StarAZWhat is so awesome about having a big-pay job crafted for you (and one that involved putting Medicaid patients on the street)? Or modeling clothes people let you wear for free? Or letting your mother mother your kids a lot of the time? Or brushing aside the advantages you tapped into as an African-American woman and saying you are just now proud of your country? Or eating $100 a lb beef? The American people know all this, so-called newspeople! We are not dumb. Some of us are underwhelmed by Michelle. Whatever! AND WE ARE SICK TO DEATH OF ALL THIS RIDICULOUS BLATHER, TOO.
I view her with awe and disbelief
June 19, 2009 - 10:35 ET by LoosMooseEverytime I see her I say AWWWW not HER... I can NOT believe she is on the news again
Awe and Disbelief When is this crap going to end?
June 19, 2009 - 10:40 ET by SemusI wonder if they ever look in the mirror and don't like what they see. They can't all be mindless Obamatrons.Their persistence is admirable anyway.
Yesterday the site Pundit
June 19, 2009 - 12:02 ET by snaggletoothieYesterday the site Pundit and Pundette had a good post about how Michelle has really stuck it to the poor people in the neighborhood of that Chicago hospital that gave her a six figure salary bump when her husband became a senator: http://www.punditand...
It shows the more inviolved in health care the Obamas are, the worse it can be for your health.
The woman is awe inspiring???
June 19, 2009 - 12:12 ET by Roscoe MendagoYeah, I'm in awe and disbelief that Michelle Obama isn't harnessed-up to some sort of farm implement used to plow fields. Give me a flipp'n break, aren't all liberal women awe inspiring to this crowd, "She has a heart beat, I'm awed!!!"
"She serves as a symbol of
June 19, 2009 - 12:11 ET by ckc1227"She serves as a symbol of middle-class progress, feminist achievement,
affirmative-action success and individual style. And she has done all
this on the world stage...while being black."
It's kinda hard not to succeed when folks give you things BECAUSE you're black, not in spite of it.
Those in awe...
June 19, 2009 - 12:15 ET by sam12663of her should read Michelle Malkins story today about the 'wonderful' Michelle Obama's grand scheme to force low income and poor people to other hospitals rather than the one she worked for. It is so refreshing to see someone who claims to care for those less fortunate revealed to be nothing more than a money loving elitist snob.
President Obama is nothing more than a lying empty suit; a Hollywood style special effects smoke and mirrors show that has shown itself to be a total fraud.
WAKE UP AMERICA! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION!
→ Great stuff
June 19, 2009 - 14:12 ET by Cool ArrowNot only that, but the position Michelle occupied was deleted after she moved to the WH
Watch as Obama eats a booger
mrs. obama
June 19, 2009 - 12:36 ET by jessieHjessieH The disbelief I agree with. The awe, not so much.
This is ridiculously
June 19, 2009 - 12:44 ET by bigtimerThis is ridiculously funny...all of it.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Check out the NYT
June 19, 2009 - 13:38 ET by StarAZMore like pitchforks than plaudits today...
http://community.nyt...
it's the same phenomenon with the Messiah
June 19, 2009 - 13:48 ET by theduck6If you look superficially and don't question any past statements, writings and observe the things that shaped their ethos, the First Couple can pull off being just plain folks.
However if you actually listen to them off teleprompter and actually scrutinize them ....YIKES!
Mchelle O.
June 19, 2009 - 14:38 ET by trhugT.R. Huggins
Michelle is almost black, but she surely ISN'T pretty. Fannie Mae who stayed with me and sis in parents' stead looked mucho million times more beautiful. I'm glad Barack married her. If her attitude is as rough as her looks, B. Obama should keep her. He earned that privelege.....
I Eyed Her and Said
June 19, 2009 - 14:45 ET by kilrodI eyed her and said "AwwW Sh!!!!T"
(GRINS) kilrod
Remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
You'd think these people had
June 22, 2009 - 09:23 ET by NL207You'd think these people had never seen a real Klingon woman before! :)