The Obamas Go To Washington

Goodbye Hawaii. Goodbye Chicago. Hello Washington, D.C.

Sidenote: There’s a debate going on in one of the threads about Michelle Obama’s appearance. Normally, I stay out of such fracas because I honestly don’t think its relevant. She’s First Lady, not a beauty contestant. But to toss in my two cents — stop. Nothing good will come of this. I don’t like it when people reduce Michelle O. to her body parts and lust all over her. I don’t like it when people talk like she’s the Queen of Sheba. I don’t like it when people accuse her of looking mannish. I goof on how much like Michelle because I do, genuinely, like her and find her fascinating. But there’s no need to cut each other over this issue of “beauty” and its many definitions.

So just stop. It’s not her job to be pretty. I enjoy that she likes to dress with some flare. I enjoy that she has taken to her role as aspirational figure well. But this isn’t America’s Next Top Model. This shouldn’t be an argument at all because her looks are immaterial to what she truly represents —

The first black First Lady. That pretty much beats beauty queen hands down. If she wears cool clothes on top of that, that’s all just extra nuts and syrup on the Sundae.

That said, Daddy/Daughters time! (At the zoo Dec. 30 in Honolulu!) We black folks need our paternal therapy via pictures of Barack hugging his kids. You don’t know how happy this makes people feel. Seriously. Black women alone are OD’ing on this right now. It’s like the Snickers Bar of Hope. Hug your kids, people!

daniellebelton

53 responses to “The Obamas Go To Washington”

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    @SnobI don’t understand why blk women have a problem with the way Michelle Obama looks. The woman is goregeous point blank. She does not need to be flair skinned with long hair to be considered beautiful. I just don’t get the hate that blk women in America have towards her at all. If anyone understands it please let me know!! I am sick and tired of blk women talking about she is not good enough for Barack. Barck chased her. He did not marry her for her butt or hips. Black women sound ignorant saying that. I don’t want to stereotype, but that is what I have been reading on blk blogs about her. ‘He needs to find a new bride” or “she is not good enough for him.” I just don’t understand it at all! I expect that from white bigots, but not from blk women. I am not sure if this stims from self hate or what. I understand that people are free to say what they want, but the sh*t I have heard from blk women mouths are so nasty and rude.

    Reply
  2. The Black Snob Avatar
    The Black Snob

    Anonymous 2:44 p.m.: I think some may be stuck on some “wishful thinking,” doing “how did she get him and not meeeeee” talk without looking any deeper … like the fact that Barack wasn’t always BARACK and that he was just a regular nerdy dude who was attracted to this smart, pretty girl who was his mentor and kept asking her out until she agreed to date him. It’s not like she put the hoodoo on the man. He LOVES her. They have two beautiful children together and share a life. But it’s only natural that now that Barack has on a nice suit and a Tic Tac in his mouth other women want him (see Chris Rock’s theory on this) and think Michelle isn’t “good enough.” It just is what it is. Everyone thinks they could do better because they don’t know Michelle’s mind or heart. Obviously, those are the things you’re SUPPOSED to marry for — not just pretty. NY Gov. David Paterson has a conventionally “pretty” wife and they both cheated on each other, so what does conventional good looks get you if you don’t have loyalty and fidelity, the cornerstones of a good marriage?It’s all mythology. People should just focus on the reality that Michelle Obama is a GOOD THING for black people, especially black women as long as she continues to carry herself with grace and poise. She doesn’t need to look like Naomi “Freakin” Campbell. She can be herself and change the world.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    @SNOBI agree, someone said on another site that WOMEN LOVE POWERFUL MEN. A lot of blk women would have not given Barack a second look when he was in college, but Michelle did. WHen Barack turned down his 6-figure job after HARVARD most blk women would have let him then, but Michelle did not. At one point she was making more money then him, most blk women would have said he was not a man. Michelle stuck with him through thick and thin that is probably why he is crazy about her. Barack found himself a TRUE DIAMOND.

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  4. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    The one thing that I love about Michelle is that she is confident and she is not going to allow some bitter blk women to change her. Barack, Valierre Jarret, her mom, brrother, Maya and etc.. will make sure she stays the same woman and never cave in to other people opinions. If she can make it 2 years with the Republicans bs, she can make it 8 years with blk women /blk men bs.

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  5. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Girl, thanks for this post. I had a black male “friend” wonder why Barack picked Michelle and not a model. It’s really sick to think about beauty in America. If you don’t fit conventional standards, you are not worthy of any love or affection. The sad thing is, Michelle is tall, in shape and can grow her hair, some conventional standards. But, that’s not enough for *SOME* of black America. I’m so happy she’s in the White House.

    Reply
  6. The Black Snob Avatar
    The Black Snob

    I honestly don’t expect the Michelle complaining to stop as she’s committed all the cardinal sins of not being “perfect.” Short of picking Obama a wife straight out of central casting, I don’t know what people want. Do they not realize how hard it is to find love — especially back when you were both young, broke and full of flaws. How hard it is for a woman that tall to find a man? And how hard it is to find someone you can relate to both mentally and physically period? I mean, THEY’RE MARRIED. WITH KIDS! It’s done. They hold hands. They have each others back and they do the nasty. Let it GO! And she must be pretty good at her job as Barack’s #1 woman, lover, wife, BFF, business partner, caretaker, ego-booster and cheerleader because … ahem … the mfer is president. She did her part.Shut it down. The president is happy with the bride of his choosing. The bride is happy with the husband of her choosing. I don’t really understand why this is a conversation. We all know they’re doing it and we’re happy. Can’t we be happy about two black folks in love? Look for flaws in his policy and decisions. Let marriage be marriage. I don’t doubt that Laura loves the shit out of Shrub. Why else would she still be singing Tammy Wynette after all these years? George has her on lock down. George would die for Laura. Blah, blah, blah. Love is DIFFERENT, people? Do people NOT understand love and commitment anymore? It’s not supposed to be about the superficial. George famously said that as long as he had Laura and the dog he would NEVER change. Well, eight years later …Love prevails! (Except when it doesn’t. But I’m betting on love. I’m a pessimist about everything else, but I believe in the Obamas love, dammit. No one will blow that high for me.)

    Reply
  7. D.R. Scott Avatar
    D.R. Scott

    I’m sick and tired of seeing broken African-American families. Maybe I’m old-fashioned and conservative, but I don’t think it’s healthy when African-American children are raised in single-parent homes where the mother or father is never home because they’re working too hard.And I don’t it’s a coincidence that this reinforces White Male Dominance in the United States because the last thing the bosses want is an African-American community that’s aware of their circumstances and refuses to be marginalized.So I believe it’s immensely importantly that young African-American can dream that there’s other options available besides being a rap artist, jock or actor. I’m old enough to remember when the black celebrities I saw on TV and in the magazines were writers, college professors, poets, lawyers, and activists. These were the people that got things done, not entertainers. When did the dreams of African-Americans get so small? As Gil Scott-Heron said, “It follows a scheme, if you dig what I mean…”So you can imagine what a revolutionary moment it was in our history when Obama won the presidency. Also, maybe I’m overstating the importance of this, but it was amazing to see a loving African-American family that was normal. It was all right to be articulate, educated, ambitious, courteous, and intelligent. What the Obama’s are saying to all of us is We don’t have to be thugs or clowns to succeed in white American.What the Obamas proved is that the Huxtables doesn’t have to be a fantasy anymore.

    Reply
  8. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    First, some women are just catty and even if Barack had married a woman who looked Lena Horne, Gabrielle Union, Sanaa Lathan, Hallie Berry, whoever, they would still have something to say.Second, if Michelle hadn’t married Barack (or anyone for that matter) and just a chick doing her own thing, there would still be some women who would look at her and say “Who does she think she is?”That’s the world in which we live. As women, rather we like it or not we are going to be critiqued based on our appearance. This extends not only to dating and marriage but also to the workplace and every aspect of our lives.Knowing that, it helps to understand that what’s appealing to one person, isn’t going to always float the boat of someone else. Michelle is drop-dead gorgeous to some and to others, not so much. Just like some people think Angela Bassett is exquisitely beautiful, and others (like an ex-boyfriend of mine) find her finely chiseled features heinous. That’s not a culturally deficiency as much as it is a matter of taste.That’s why I think Michelle Obama will serve as such an amazing role model of young women of all races. I really hope they get the message that, yes, appearances are important, that’s the world in which we live. But appearances aren’t more important than making an impact in the world and accomplishing individual goals and pursuing your dreams.Because when you get down to it, beauty really is a accident of birth and besides radical plastic surgery there’s not much you can do about it. I say, conquer the world and look the best you can while doing it.Michelle certainly does that with diet, exercise, grooming and (mostly) on point clothing decisions that flatter her figure. She looks good but you know she has other shit to do.Finally, when you think of the most powerful and influential women in history, they were not arm candy or trophies. They didn’t need to be.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    I agree with the poster who stated years ago when Michelle and Barack got together most sistas would have turned their noses up at him. Come on the fact that she was the breadwinner at one point and he was the dreamer says a ton about the strength of their relationship. Truth is, most of us would have left him then…..I think she is gorgeous and stylish and as darker hued sista myself I love seeing dark skin women being seen as beautiful. However at the end of the day her looks are really not important, my goodness she is intelligent and educated and for First Lady, really her looks are not relevant.

    Reply
  10. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    @MonicaI disagree, I just think this is the way blk women are. ITs like blk women are envious of Michelle. I just find it interesting! I have visted soo many blk blogs and black women say the SAME thing. White women and some white men don’t have a problem with her at all. I would think blk women would applaud her for breaking down streotypes of blk women, but that is not the case. I understand that Halle Berry is the prototype of beauty in the AA, but I did not think that every blk politician had to marry a Halle clone. I’ll ask you, why is Michelle not good enough for Barack?Why do blk women say nasty things about her looks? Why does she have to be of another skin tone with weave down her back to be considered beautiful? I am trying to understand the AA community better.

    Reply
  11. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    I don’t think there was ever a time in Obama’s life that he suffered from lack of female attention. There are always women who go for the pretty brother and he doesn’t matter if he’s working in MacDonalds and is a middle school drop. There are always ivy league freaks, who don’t care what a dude looks if he attended the right school. When he was a community organizer, you know there were women checking for the leader of whatever organization he was heading (leadership freaks). When he was teaching, you know there were students pushing up on him.I just don’t see that many normal hetero women turning down Obama.

    Reply
  12. The Black Snob Avatar
    The Black Snob

    anonymous 3:48 p.m.: This is a common female phenomenon that transcends race. From Elizabeth Edwards not being “good looking” enough for John Edwards to Jennifer Aniston not being “hot enough” for Brad. Power is an aphrodisiac. Women project their own insecurities onto Michelle and rather than think, “How can I make my life better or make myself a better person” it’s simply easier to find flaws in Michelle and say she’s not good enough.Truth is, Barack (and I’m guessing) probably had a complex time getting dates as a young man once he decided he was sticking with Negroes. A lot of his behavior read “NERD” in a big way and as a black nerd, you are not treated as a hot, sexy commodity UNTIL you are successful. Then SUDDENLY you are cool. The fact that Michelle saw his potential and loved him for who he was then, says a lot about them both.But most folks would rather be Sunday morning quarterbacks and complain. It’s just the way it is. If she were perfect she would get slammed for that. May I suggest they listen to Avril Lavinge’s “Sk8ter Boi” in some disco in hell until they get the point.But Michelle O. can’t win this fight, but she won in life, so that’s all that really matters.

    Reply
  13. MJ Avatar
    MJ

    MMmm…she’s looking good :).

    Reply
  14. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    @MonicaWhen he was a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER not making ANY money women were not looking his way because he was married to Michelle. When he was in college black women were not checking for him at all. He talked about his dating expereinces in his book. I believe it was in “Dream of my Father.” He auditioned for the black mens calender at Harvard or Columbia and got turned down. When he was a Law professor he was already married to Michelle. Barack was the black skinny nerd with big ears. Black women were not checking for him at all. They are checking for him now because he is the 44th President of the United States. In regards to Michelle. Black women are jealous of the fact that she is the First Lady. Which means perks come with being the first lady. When he does his 2 terms and moves back to CHicago she will still be there.

    Reply
  15. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    @SNOBThat is what I am saying. Barack was the n.e.r.d. now the n.e.r.d is President and everyone wants a piece of him. When he was just that black n.e.r.d at Harverd the chica from Chicago was probably the only one feeling him.

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  16. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    @Anon”Why is Michelle not good enough for Barack?” I don’t think that anyone would be good enough for Obama in the eyes of some. If she looked like Beyonce or Halle, then she wouldn’t be black enough. If she resembled one of the lovely dark beauty contestants from Western Africa or the West Indies, she would be too dark. If she didn’t have a law degree, someone would paint her as not being his intellectual equal. And to be honest with you, I’m sure people said that Coretta wasn’t good enough for Martin and Betty wasn’t good enough for Malcolm.That’s what some people do. As for others, maybe they honestly don’t find her attractive. Since we live in the age of the internets and the world wide webs, catty comments that may be made between friends and published for the world to read.These don’t have to find Michelle hot, Obama does and that’s all that matter.As for the skin tone thing (and I say this as a dark skinned woman), people like what they like. For each person who feels you have to tan to be beautiful, there’s someone who finds chocolate just as enchanting.

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  17. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    Right Bella..Women don’t throw themselves a married community organizers and law professors. That never happens. ;-)As for his college dating experience, I have a feeling he didn’t address the black women pursuing him in whom he had no interest whatsoever.No one ever counts them right.

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  18. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    Right Bella..Women don’t throw themselves a married community organizers and law professors. That never happens. ;-)As for his college dating experience, I have a feeling he didn’t address the black women pursuing him in whom he had no interest whatsoever.No one ever counts them right.

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  19. RainaHavock Avatar
    RainaHavock

    See and this is why I’m always checking for the nerds before I do the studs here in college. Being one myself I’m always been attracted to them. My boyfriend and all the other guys I’ve been wanting to date are all engineering majors! XDSigh it’s sad though how Catty some women are.

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  20. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    @MOnicaYou can pretend that black women cared about barack all you want. Why would Barack lie about his dating situation.

    Reply
  21. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    @MonicaYour telling me that black women would have pursued Barack in college. LOL Yeah rightWHen he ran for Presidents it was BLACK who said he was “too intelligen” or “too white” because of his background. All of a sudden black women want to act like they are checking for the Baracks in their lIFE. SMH

    Reply
  22. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    @ RainaHavockThats right girl the “n.e.r.d.” are the ones who become succesful!!! BiLL Gates, Barack and etc..

    Reply
  23. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    @monicaWomen are Not throwing themselves at a community organizer. He was making NO money at all, he did not start making money into his 1st book sold which was 4 years ago. So yes, black women are not throwing themselves at a black community organizer that was broke, whose wife was financially supporting them. When he left Harvard they moved into Michelle moms attic.

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  24. RainaHavock Avatar
    RainaHavock

    @Bella: I know that’s right!

    Reply
  25. msladydeborah Avatar
    msladydeborah

    I feel that folks are missing some important facts about Michelle.She is a sistah from the South Side of Chicago! (I use to be a Chi-Town Girl Myself) If anyone had tried to make me believe that any black woman from that area would one day be the First Lady of the land-I would not have believed it.She is already well accomplished in her own right. Did people forget that she has a law degree also? From the Ivy League no less.Everybody has an opinion about how she should conduct herself. If she went through the hoops and changes that the public at large want to see-she would not be Michelle.I also suspect that the very same folks who are tripping about her style etc., would be the same folks who would be up in arms about the change.As far as her relationship with Barack is concerned. I am glad to see them embrace, giggle and enjoy each other. Many women might think that they could take her place-but is that really true? I doubt it. I know I am no where near First Lady material. Nor would I want all the attention that the Obamas have gotten. They love each other. That has been obvious to me since I first saw them as individuals and as a couple.Sistahs need to recognize that we need to have her back. Not as a stabbing board either.

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  26. The Black Snob Avatar
    The Black Snob

    msladydeborah: I, personally, don’t see any of this stopping any time soon. I just wanted to get it out there that I thought it was shitty. I mean, really. REALLY? Are these people f’reals? Why can’t we just be happy and cheer on love? Not be bitter because some of us are lacking in the department. I haven’t had a serious boyfriend in years and I’m not trying to murder Michelle for her happiness. I wanna be happy someday. What is the deal?She gives me hope, not hate. But maybe that’s just me!

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  27. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    Perhaps I known a few skankalicious chicks (or maybe desperate is a better word) in my life because if he a black man and he doesn’t smell like a hobo (sometimes not) there is some black woman interested in him and it doesn’t matter if he is broke or married. These aren’t just “hoodrats”. These are women with careers and mortgages.Really ladies, with whom are black women having all of these out of wedlock babies. Yes some children are from long-term relationships. Others are with men who are broke or in relationships with other women. I’m not saying Obama bend the truth. I’m just saying that we shouldn’t be naive.

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  28. daphne Avatar
    daphne

    I’m a little confused. I guess because I’m obviously not visiting the sites in the black blogosphere where all of this Michelle haterade is being sipped. But I admit my blog favorites list isn’t exactly vast in length. The thread linked in the post was confusing to me as well, as the debate seemed to be which actress could portray Michelle rather than Michelle’s appearance. I haven’t read any of Barack’s books, so I don’t pretend to know what his dating life was life back in the day. I do agree with Black Snob on the black nerd phenomenon (although, I think nerds, generally speaking, are shunned until they a) grow into their looks if they’re a woman, or b) become successful if they’re a man). At the same time, I also agree with Monica (again, in general) on this point:As for his college dating experience, I have a feeling he didn’t address the black women pursuing him in whom he had no interest whatsoever.Reality is, male nerds like the conventionally attractive women as much as the jocks and/or conventionally attractive men do. I sometimes hear complaints on how they don’t get the girl, when they have very well ignored the ones who are checking for them because they’re not Naomi Campbell. I certainly am not attributing said mindset to Barack, as I don’t know him personally. But it bothers me a little that women, especially those who may be considered conventionally attractive, are villified for not checking for male nerds, yet male nerds aren’t criticized for not looking beyond the superficial as it relates to women they desire. It’s just accepted that men are visually stimulated (heh, like women aren’t).Life ain’t fair – women are still primarily judged by physical appearances, and men by financial success/power. It is what it is, with this knowledge of reality I think men and women have to work with what they have, whatever that means. And while I doubt the double standard will go away, I’m not mad at a reasonably attractive woman (or any woman, really) possibly bypassing the nerd for someone else she may prefer. As the saying goes, “People in hell want ice water, doesn’t mean they’re gonna get it.” I think Barack and Michelle are attractive, they found each other, yay for them. I’m just glad to see a happily married couple in the forefront of the political arena. Cause I gotta say, it seems like well-known political couples always have some kind of drama.

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  29. The Black Snob Avatar
    The Black Snob

    daphne: Well, in the post above I was referring to the debate over whether or not Michelle Obama is pretty. For some reason folks started talking about people bashing Michelle, saying she wasn’t pretty enough for Barack. That wasn’t my intention, as mine was more about not judging a First Lady as if she’s Miss America, but some seem to have encountered some Michelle haterade.The most I’ve read though is the occasional “she’s not pretty enough” argument which has popped up a few times on this blog, and that’s what I wanted to talk about … but, obviously others had some stuff to get off their chest.

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  30. rikyrah Avatar
    rikyrah

    Marrying Michelle was the smartest thing Barack ever did. He knows that she loves HIM. How does he know that? because he was a broke, hole in the car having, living over Harold’s Chicken Shack Brotha when they met. He was going to HARVARD and told her straigh out that he wasn’t going for the money. In the ‘me me me me 80’s/early 90’s’ …this is what he told her. And, she loved him anyway. Someone wrote up above that Michelle made more money for some of their marriage. Let me correct that. Until Barack sold his books?MICHELLE was the majority breadwinner of the family. She carried that on her back, because she believed in Barack and what he was trying to do. Michelle Obama is a pretty woman. She’s a tall, pretty, organic food eating, dedicated to her exercise routine, SMART, determined woman who Barack knows loves him, and is the core of their family. What more could the man want? As for what she wears; she was on vacation. She’s not supposed to be dressed up on vacation. The only thing I’ve ever seen on her that I haven’t liked was that skirt she wore on Ellen. Outside of that, she’s usually on point, but what I love so much is that whatever she wears…SHE’S WEARING IT. The clothes are NOT WEARING HER. I am tickled to death that she will be the next First Lady of the United States.

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  31. starrie Avatar
    starrie

    i think michelle looks great…one of my friends tried to talk trash about michelle’s looks…excuse me, jealous much…michelle is about to do her thing…stand back, haters…

    Reply
  32. daphne Avatar
    daphne

    @ Black Snob: Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying. I will derail the discussion no further, lol.

    Reply
  33. edwina3 Avatar
    edwina3

    In the CNN interview, Susanne Malveaux asked Barack what his first impression of Michelle was and he said with eyes brightening,”Gorgeous.” I’m not AA and had no idea that Michelle’s appearance is questioned by some in the AA community. However, I’m with Barack, I think Michelle is drop dead gorgeous. For me, her outer beauty is enhanced and magnified by her grace, intelligence, wit and obvious goodness.Within the DNA of all women,regardless of race is the deep impression that our worth is only equal to our beauty. It’s a big one for all of us to overcome. On the hugging topic,I grow up with a father on board but he was never affectionate. Those pictures of Obama hugging his kids are therapy for me too. This is a great site and I particulary appreciate this discussion.

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  34. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    I will repeat myself BLACK WOMEN WERE NOT CHECKING FOR BARACK IN HIS YOUNGER DAYS!!! Only reason black women want him now is because he is the PRESIDENT. That is why many talk sh*t about Michelle, they wish they were in her place. Yall can pretend like yall would have been checking for him all yall want.LOL@edwina3I saw that interview too when he said that. Barack thinks he wife is the hottest woman on the planet no matter what the black community thinks about it.

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  35. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    Anyway SNOB the there are pics of the First Lady and the girls on there way to the first day of school.

    Reply
  36. sdg1844 Avatar
    sdg1844

    Good luck to the family in Washington. It’s not going to be easy for them. I hope that they all adjust as much as possible and stay a strong family unit.

    Reply
  37. SaS Avatar
    SaS

    Well, let throw in my .02 before some of ya’ll have a damn conniption:1) This is not a black thing. True, it’s more disappointing that black people (especially women) are also saying it, but is it really that shocking. And I don’t really think it would be that hard to go out and find articles from varoius white people who say the exact same things about MO. Can we please stop acting like everybody else is on some “Michelle Obama is the most beautiful woman in the world and the only people who think otherwise (and the only people who ever demean other black women) are those backwards negroes.” And Snob is 100% correct bringing up how people always talk about how manly Jennifer Aniston looks, and comments are always being made about Pierce Brosnan’s and Hugh Jackman’s wives.2) It’s not just a woman thing. Sure, the women are jealous. But the men are doing their usual as well. They talk about how unattractive they think Michelle Obama is, and that’s their opionion (to which they are entitled). What everybody needs to realize (some of us do, as evidenced by most– if not all– of the comments above) is that Barack wanted Michelle, Michelle wanted him, every thing else is just a fart in the wind. Bottom line: You ain’t got to like shit about Michelle, that’s Barack’s job anyway and he does it marvelously.3) Yes, Bella, there does exist some of us black women who are attracted to the black nerds. And I have to side with Moncia on this one. That may not mean shit to you, and that’s cool. We all have our opinions and perspectives. But personally, there were some black women out there that wanted them a piece of Barack long before he became the Senator from Illinois. He may not have been the most popular, but there’s a niche market for everything and everybody. Some sista out there who wasn’t Michelle wanted him. And to act like Michelle was the ONLY black woman out there (as if she is some rare breed of woman) who wanted him is a bit presumptious. It just so happens that he wanted her as well. And by the way, how many black male nerds are checking for black women? In a society were men are encouraged to do most of the chasing, how is it the job of black women (instead of every individual being encouraged to take charge of their love life) to chase the black nerd and it not be reciprocated?4) As a black nerd, if I were to write a memoir and talk about my (non-existent) dating life, I probably wouldn’t think to spend too much time talking about the dudes (none of whom are fellow afro-nerds, btw) that crudely approach me. And if I did, it would be maybe 2 sentences that addressed the fact that they were mostly “thuggish” (which is not my type, but to each her own) and incredibly inappropriate.

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  38. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    @ SaS “And to act like Michelle was the ONLY black woman out there (as if she is some rare breed of woman) who wanted him is a bit presumptious.”^^You sound jealous!!Yes, she is a rare black women The reality as many of you on this board already know is that she was with him from the beginning. When he finished law school and TURNED DOWN the corporate attorney job he was offered with a salary at about 250K annually to take a job serving the community for NO PAY, 98% of today’s black women would have LEFT that dude and that’s if they would have even given him a chance in the first place based on his physical appearance and prior drug use. When he continued to struggle with his political advancement along with the fact that SHE was holding down the household financially another 1% would have left that dude. He would have had to hear all level of bullshit that these chicks spew on LSA talking about he aint no real man. When he finally got elected to the Senate and ONLY after 1 1/2 years where he has been receiving income(other than the sales of the book) he comes up with the idea to run for PRESIDENT the last 0.9% would have left his ass. What does this say… The extreme majority of women(especially illustrated on this board) DON’T want to invest in a man early on. But when he’s President all the chicks want to jump on the bandwagon. BUT SHE WAS THERE FROM THE BEGINNING, THATS WHY MY HAT IS OFF TO HER AND THEM. SHE IS A DIAMOND AND SEEMINGLY WHAT US MEN WHO ARE GO-GETTERS ARE LOOKING FOR. HER ACHIEVEMENTS ON HER OWN MERIT ARE INCREDIBLE! HER ACHIEVEMENTS QUITE HONESTLY MAY OUTWEIGH HIS. DO SOME RESEARCH AND YOU MAY BE SURPRISED

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  39. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    ^^this is what I wrote on another board about Michelle and Barack’s relationship.David

    Reply
  40. SaS Avatar
    SaS

    Anonymous, David, whoever the hell you are…Baby, please get up on your comprehension skills and reread my comment. I find it fishy that you chose that one sentence to pull out the “hater” card. I said exactly what you said, that the reality is that they wanted each other and they are together and that’s all that matters. As a young and ambitious black woman, I have nothing but the utmost respect and absolute adoration for Michelle Obama, moreso than I do for Barack. So please get your mind right. However, I don’t believe the woman is a saint. I don’t believe she’s the only good, accomplished black woman in this world who either wanted Barack or wants a man like him. Michelle is a human, and out of respect I will treat her as such. She eats, shits, and sleeps just like the rest of us. Her character is amazing, she has outstanding qualities, but to say be on Stan status is far from attractive on anyone. “98% of today’s black women would have LEFT that dude and that’s if they would have even given him a chance in the first place based on his physical appearance and prior drug use”And it’s bullshit like this that keeps people from having a decent conversation about something. Boo, you can’t just pull figures out your ass just because they sound appealing to you. Until you meet 100% of black women in this world, I’m gonna need you to refrain from attempting to argue with percentages and statistics and whatnot. Furthermore, would you go after a woman with a record of prior drug use who was earning a very meager income. You say all this bullshit about Michelle is the type of woman men want to be with (which I commend, as I said before, I LOVE HER… I know that it may take some time for it to sink in that the majority of black women on this thread– including the Snob, herself– LOVE HER, so let me repeat… WE LOVE HER!!!), but in the same breathe you complain about how black women have standards that are too high for seemingly wanted someone on Barack’s level. Some of us would stick by a GOOD man, income be damned. I would. A good, honest man that does work is what I hope for. And he doesn’t even have to become Pres. of the US someday… go figure!On another note, nobody has appointed you expert on anything Obama, baby. Calm the hell down, state your opinion, and move the hell on. That’s what my research has concluded!

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  41. The Black Snob Avatar
    The Black Snob

    all: You are all TOO MUCH. I am trying to stop laughing here. But for serious. Even though this was not my intended topic of discussion (I was trying to shut down the beauty pageant crap), but I feel I must weigh in my two cents on the black nerd phenomenon.I am a geek. I am a nerd. I have loved both nerd boys and non-nerd boys. Often it was not the nerdiness that was the factor but the “X” factor, which is that I simply “clicked” with the person. We were on the same page. We had similar dreams and goals. Yadda. Yadda. Yadda.It is NOT that hard to believe that some women would balk and others would clamor for a guy on the come up — high risk but also high reward. Especially if he looks all “baby I’m a star” all the time like Barack has. After all, Barack was a shining star in his own right in the Ivy League. They simply both caught each other during the rise, not after it had already climaxed. This is TYPICAL for college sweethearts or couples who get together shortly after college. They were BOTH broke with student loans out the ying yang. They were BOTH ambitious. They both were equals in the sense of their age and backgrounds.I’m just thinking they had what the other was looking for. What we’re all looking for. That drive. That ambition that was more than a simple pay check. That, and they believed in each other.We can all only hope for so much.Personally, I have had a shitacular time in romance, but that has more to do with me, my own personal issues and my present environment. But in the sparse times the X-factor was there it is AWESOME. Trust. It will make you want to push out two large headed children for a man, amongst other things.This has nothing to do with stereotypes or race. It’s simply human nature. Some men want their women ready made gorgeous all the time. Some women want their men with a bank account. Others weigh their options and go for “fixer uppers.” And others go with logic and the fact that they can’t keep their hands off each other, then throw chance into the wind because — you never know.I’m just saying. Maybe they both thought they were out-fucking-standing and then couldn’t be apart. That’s basically what happened to Mama and Papa Snob. Who met one month. Got engaged six months later. Got married six months later then got pregnant one month after the wedding and are completely “ride or die” as she was a broke school teacher then and he was once a struggling engineer for McDonnell Douglass driving a busted Mercury, but they has similar dreams and interests and BELIEVED in each other.Maybe some chicks were checking for my dad after he had the three girls, the office and the house, but my dad WAS NOT THAT DUDE.RIDE OR DIE!So, I simply think Barack and Michelle are together because in their minds, this was it and was always going to be it, like with my parents. And they were willing to fight for it and work through it and love the shit out of it. But I’m colored by my surroundings.And I can’t speak for all black women or all black men. I’ve been told I’m intimidating and that’s why attract loony toons and control freaks. But then, I could be trying to marry some version of “Papa Snob on crack” if you asked Freud and Freud is probably on to something.

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  42. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    @SaSI am a “stan” for speaking the truth. Your funny. I just find it funny how dude is hot sh*t after November 4,2008.David

    Reply
  43. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    @SaS”On another note, nobody has appointed you expert on anything Obama, baby. Calm the hell down, state your opinion, and move the hell on. That’s what my research has concluded!”I am just stating the facts. How many times during the election did black women balk at Barack’s intelligence!! I’ll answer NUMEROUS of times. HOw many times have I heard black women talk about rappers being their ideal gut because of money. Numerous of times.David

    Reply
  44. stuffbapslove Avatar
    stuffbapslove

    I’m like the Snob … I love my black nerds. I also happened to marry my black nerd in shining armour. So obviously there are many different black women with many different tastes. We (black women) can’t all be lumped together in one category. My DH was my law school sweetheart. No, I didn’t fall over the first black guy I met at school, but when I met my DH I knew he was “it.” We clicked and I think it had a lot to do with the fact that we were on the same paths and trajectories from an early age. We also grew up from similar backgrounds. My daddy is also a black nerd … so I am kind of biased. Anyway … just rambling an agreement with the Snob and others that there are some black women who like black nerds. David, I see where you’re coming from with your last stated point about the rappers, though I disagree with your seemingly firm numerical figures about black women. I agree with that point, because I have personally been in arguments with many black women who ask if I would hypothetically get with Jay-Z, 50 (or any rapper) and look at me sideways when I say “no” for many, many reasons that I won’t get into here. But can I tell you that there are also many black women who would also say “no” for the same reasons as me. Please don’t paint most black women with one broad stroke … “it takes all kinds,” as they say. 🙂

    Reply
  45. dkan71 Avatar
    dkan71

    This is news to me that some mass amount of Black women have a hate on for Michelle O. I guess I’m partially blinded by my own admiration, but the consensus on all the blogs I’ve read and friends that I talk to is that black women love her, couldn’t be more proud of her and that it gives us a little extra pep in our step knowing she’s the new female face of America. That’s my take anyway.

    Reply
  46. Queenie Avatar
    Queenie

    Well I think Michelle is great! She’s the first First Lady I ever felt I could actually be “friends” with. She just seems like great fun and very real and kind hearted.I think the babies (or “Squeakers” as my son calls them because he says little girls all have high squeaky voices) are a-dor-a-ble, and the most precious White House babies in decades. I love seeing what warm and loving parents Barack and Michelle are and I wish that family all the love and luck in the world.It’s such fun and quite novel to feel that I actually “like” the presidential family.

    Reply
  47. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    This should not even be up for discussion. Barack got his Queen and that is all that matters. Like she said in a magazine she is his lover, friend, partner and wife. Michelle is a confident women who does not care what “Shaniqua or Maria” has to say about her looks. I agree with some of you up above in regards to Barack’s dating life, he was not the stud that the girls threw themselves at. He was the intelligent guy that went on dates occasionally. Barack has no reason to lie about his dating experiences. This is guy that is honest as hell about his life. His drugs, the white girl before Michelle that liked him alot, but would not take him home to meet her family because he was black. His granny not liking negros because of Barack’s father absents. As a mixed chic I am confident to say the bulk of black women WOULD HAVE never looked his way when he did not take the Wall Street money. I hear this all the time from the black community, so what if 2 of yall are claiming yall would have dated him is a lie. Yes, people say all the time that he chould of married him a certain type of look. To whomever said Michelle is “not that special” is sounding a little jealous because she is the one that is living the life of luxury while yall are on the computer b*tching about her looks. No wonder the marriage rate for black women is down.

    Reply
  48. txbabe98 Avatar
    txbabe98

    stop generalizing Anonymous.you don’t know anything for CERTAIN.and idk what you being a “mixed chic” has to do with anything, like you can see things that non-mixed women can’t.

    Reply
  49. Get Togetha Avatar
    Get Togetha

    Snob. I’m late..But dang sister. You are on fiyah with your responses to this…Will link luv you ASAP.Happy New Year!GT

    Reply
  50. Get Togetha Avatar
    Get Togetha

    And for the record. Michelle Obama is hot fiyah.That is all.

    Reply

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