I love Michelle Obama. I loved her on the campaign trail, debunking the mystique of Knight Barack with her real wife tales of stinky socks and smelly cigarettes. I loved her when she equalised and patted the Queen’s back, deferent but not tied to centuries of outdated hierarchical protocol. I love the fact that she graced the covers of Vogue with a pull-power to rival Angelina Jolie, and yet still looked so relaxed and comfortable in her J Crew slacks, working in her kitchen garden. I love the fact that she looks mummy-easy as well as boardroom ready, all in one go. I love the bob. And the sleeveless dresses. I like the fact that she didn’t appear as a soft toy on the campaign trail- she was a strong, proud woman and if they wanted to cast her in the role of angry black woman, so be it. She remains an astereotypical first lady- one who lives outside of the box. And you how I feel about living in the box. To hell with the box!
However, as much as I like Mrs O, I like Michelle Lavaughn Robinson even more. See, Michelle Robinson grew up on the South Side of Chicago- not one of the best neighbourhoods in the United States. She attended Princeton, then Harvard Law School and then worked at a corporate law firm where she was one of only two black lawyers. I find her views in her undergraduate thesis particularly poignant and telling:
“Earlier in my college career, there was no doubt in my mind that as a member of the Black Community I was somehow obligated to this community and would utilise all my present and future resources to benefit this community first and foremost. My experiences at Princeton have made me far more aware of my “Blackness” more than ever before.”
She then states after discussing her experiences at Princeton:
“These experiences have made it apparent to me that the path I have chosen to follow by attending Princeton will likely lead to my further integration and/or assimilation into a White cultural and social structure that will only allow me to remain on the periphery of society...at the same time, however, it is possible that my four years of exposure to a predominantly White, Ivy-League university has instilled in me, certain conservative values. I find myself striving for the same goals as many of my White classmates- acceptance to a prestigious graduate or professional school or a high paying position in a successful corporation. My goals after Princeton are not as clear as before”
The Michelle who writes this is astute yet sensitive, and bold enough to engage in a cultural debate. She acknowledges that she is complicit in the uneasiness of assimilation. I find Michelle O lacking this particular quality. I do not wish to add to the ridiculous debate of whether the First Family are black enough. I am just intrigued as to whether she still feels that pull that she felt at Princeton to issues affecting the black community? Does Mrs O (and Mr O) feel that there are particular issues with which she feels a certain affinity? For instance, gun crime, violence in public schools, affordable housing –issues that affect black families more disproportionately?
I have a feeling that Michelle Robinson would have rocked up to the White House in an afro and that on inauguration day she would have worn Deola Sagoe or Patricia Mills and she would have insisted that Mr O wore some Ozwald Boateng. She would have been rocking some banging kente. Mrs O just seems much more conservative than I expected her to be and seems to be quite accepting in certain ways of her climate in her uber-sleek bob that blows Condi Rice's out of the stratosphere. Where is that fire? Where is that oomph? That muchiness that challenge the uncomfortable topics?
Or maybe I am just equating her to that little girl who grew up in a small town, who placed her international economic development dreams on hold after she went to a Russell Group University and ended up fulfilling the one of two prophecy in a corporate law firm. Don’t get me wrong, she just might end up mentoring an intern who would become the next UK Prime Minister.
Akima
ReplyDeleteTo a certain extent I disagree that Mrs. O lacks the oomph of the former Ms. Robinson. I think she has blended her childhood dreams, passions and experiences with the responsibility of her other assumed roles as wife, mother, professional in a graceful ways. I think she has blossomed in to a wiser woman who may not appear as daring and not status quo, but who probably reluctantly decided that for some battles it is better to stoop and conquer and remain true to the goals of the overall quest.
Look at some of the useless distracting debacles that came out of heartfelt the Old Michelle Robinson Statements on the road to First Lady! In some ways little things like that perhaps have influenced her more passive approach to being exactly who she is.
Hey Nath
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments! Love it.
However I disagree and think that her "oomph" has been killed or rather sacrificed by the naysayers and her critics and she has become very pliant and willing to play by the rules for the sake of the Great American Dream.
She chose to champion military families for instance (not an unworthy-cause) but one that smacks of a certain Laura Bushness. Why not be a graceful agitator for change in an area that we can all identify with?
I don't really share Michelle Robinson's view of the clear divide of Black and White but at least she had a strong opinion and stuck to it. Now, I am not sure who is the real Michelle. I appreciate that some of her views came of afro-apologist, but my argument is that she could temper her tone and perhaps her approach without tempering the message.
My granma always said stoop to conquer but also "Dont take your death like a sheep!"
The central question is that do we, as black professionals, feel that we are somehow above and too integrated to care about black issues. Or is it a genuine fear that we might come across as angry or militant?
Keep it coming
x
Well written Akima and if I may I'd like to share my thoughts. While I too wondered about the lack of "oomph" from the veritable Mrs. O I, always one to delve deeper into things, continued to observe her, speeches and interviews and things, before forming an opinion or relenting at the thought that maybe, because of her duties as first lady, she'd have to tone down on her oomph for no longer was that oomph needed now that Mr. O is President of the United States. Then it struck how like myself and many young women who hope to accomplish change that the enthusiasm and passion that we have while in pursuit of our goal makes us believe that we could use that "oomph" to make change regardless of whatever structures were in place before we got there. Then I read something somewhere on a magnet in a museum shop that said , "Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other," ( I think this is a prayer used by recovering alcoholics) and it occurred to me that perhaps Mrs. O as intelligent and influential as she is perhaps is aware of where she is and as black as the white house maybe now it isn't south side chicago and though it may seem she is in a place where she can effect much change it is not as it seems. For I think had Miss Robinson not met Mr. O and continued on the path she was when she met Mr. O then perhaps the oomph that Madame Paul talks about would be very much a part of who she is. Yet without the presence of Ms Robinson and her oomph during the Presidential election there wouldn't be a new health care bill in place (albeit if its imperfection), renewed hope on ending the war and muslim's mild acceptance of a US President. There wouldn't be role models for little black girls and boys everywhere and thus, like your last sentence states Akima, that torch, that oomph may very well be passed along.
ReplyDeleteThank you Safs- very interesting perspective. I actually agree with you that she is very influential on Mr O and I do not deny that she is using her "oomph" to shape his views. We all know a woman is the neck that turns the head of the house right? And that applies to the White House too!
ReplyDeleteI know the detractors are out to get her and to paint her as what she is not, and that she has to be uber careful, BUT I still believe that she can champion a few black causes (and not just head up a black sorority). Show the world she is a smart postgraduate. Better than Hillary. Proactive and passionate. And community minded. That's all I ask. I just feel a cause like inner city housing might have been more relevant to her (and our) reality.
But the choice is hers how she chooses to play it. Still love her.