Have you heard about our first lady? I bet if you have you have heard some mention of her fashion style. Just do a google search for Michelle Obama's wardrobe. I got 452,000 results
http://www.google.com/search?q=michelle+obama%27s+wardrobe&ie=utf-8&oe=u...
According to the Columbia Journalism Review
"First Ladies, for better or worse, have always been looked to as national fashion ambassadors, and there’s nothing wrong, really, with noting Michelle’s style choices. But, um, within reason. As with everything else, it’s a matter of proportionality. Just for comparison, how much do we know about Obama’s days as a student at Princeton and Harvard? Or about the work she did as a corporate lawyer at Sidley Austin, the Chicago law firm where she met Barack? Or as an assistant to Mayor Daley? Or as executive director of Public Allies Chicago? Or as a vice president at the University of Chicago Medical Center?
Yeah. Comparably little."
http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/michelleo_is_not_jackieo.php?page=all
I am really glad to find someone else on the planet who shares my thoughts. Everything I have seen on coverage of the inauguration dedicates more than 10 minutes of discussion of the new first lady's fashion sense.
This is a perfect example of what I am responding to when I write such blogs as http://progressiveu.org/blog/51097-not-desperate-housewife.
I don't know enough about Michelle Obama, I would like to know a whole more than the label on her underwear though. I don't blame her, because I know why she is doing it, but she is playing along with the game. The game was set up when women began making their way into the working world. It is a game that is very subtle, but one that really bugs the heck out of me.
I was enlightened as to why this bothers me so much when I watched the series "Mad Men." It is a series on AMC about the advertising world in the 1960's. It is subtle and shocking at the same time to watch the female characters in the show use their "prowess" to edge their way into the working world. There are 2 characters who understand the game and know how to make it work. One wants to use her power to land a rich husband. She also knows the power of being the "whore" and sleeping with married men.
The other wants to compete at the top. She wants to be equal, she wants to be one of the guys. She tries to take the advice of the veteran vixen, but it lands her on her ass when she ends up pregnant. She manages to mask her pregnancy by getting fat all around and gives the baby up for adoption.
Both characters are representative of something I see that has set a precedent for women in western society. If a woman wants to make it with the big boys, she has to resort to selling her body, even if it is legitimately.
To further my point, the same article I cited above continues:
"This is, of course, by design. The Michelle-as-fashion-plate narrative is one the Obama campaign has been writing on behalf of its candidate’s wife for basically the past year, a narrative that conveniently eschews substance for carefully calibrated normalcy when it comes to the potential future First Lady. A smart, no-nonsense, Ivy-educated lawyer is a much less relatable figure, after all—per campaign calculations, anyway—than a Target-shopping Supermom. Why reveal intelligence (smarts are so alienating) when you can reveal common-sense fashion sense? “Mrs. Obama and her aides have carefully chosen her appearances on the national stage this fall, mostly selecting high-profile venues that are politically safe,” The New York Times notes in today’s profile of Obama’s political evolution. It continues,
As first lady, Obama advisers say, Mrs. Obama would focus first on her family and then on the issues facing women and military spouses as those groups deal with the economic crisis and the return of troops from Iraq. She also plans to take up national service as an issue, aides say. She will not have a major policy role, they say, and does not plan to have an office in the West Wing.
After declaring that “some of Senator Barack Obama’s advisers once viewed Mrs. Obama as an unpredictable force who sometimes spoke her mind a little too much” (how Victorian!), the piece goes on to note that “she is now regarded within the campaign as a disciplined and effective advocate for her husband.” And that she has “gone a long way toward addressing her greatest unstated challenge: making more voters comfortable with the idea of a black first lady.”
So Mrs. Obama has the task of appearing to be beautiful, but subdued. She has to beef up and feed that image of being a "grounded" woman whose duty is to her husband and children first. She sure as hell better be careful and stay appropriately "behind" Barrack. She must not give anyone the idea that her intelligence will cause her to slip into "unpredictably speaking her mind." We can't have a first lady who outshines, or even equals her husband in impacting the world around her. She will do good things for the country, but they will be appropriately limited.
What we see happening now is a shift from women who worked very hard to please men by being proper "eye candy," to women now judging each other on how appropriately she accomplishes the task. Women care more about what other women wear more than they care about any other quality a woman has. All women are judged on their appearance, whether they acknowledge it or not.
As a woman who is feeling drawn into a life of leadership, I am having to learn how to play the game myself. It is one I resist, and used to buck wildly against. It is, however one I cannot reject if I am going to be successful in reaching my goals.
I wish to live my life as a woman of substance, but as Katie Couric said, "It never hurts to do it in style." I would qualify that and say, "It only counts if you do it in style."
So I don't have cable, but when we were at the hotel on Wednesday afternoon, we were flipping through the channels (actually, my friend Katie was and we were stuck watching whatever she decided to pause on for the moment...). We came across the news and they were talking about Michelle Obama's clothes and whatnot...and really, I don't think they're that pretty. That dress she wore to the ball or whatever was just downright ugly. The one she wore when Obama got elected (the black one with the red on her rear) was even uglier. Thus, I don't see the fashion obsession. *gag*
As for women staying behind their husbands, I think Eleanor Roosevelt and probably Hilary Clinton (as much as I cannot STAND that women) are good examples of outspoken and strong First Ladies...
Finally, I agree with your opinion about the whole tone and appearance for women...and people in general...seriously, just be yourself and who cares about what the rest of the world thinks? Why should anyone have to measure up to some kind of ridiculous fashion or the like quota?
RESPECT LIFE
SMILE EVERY DAY
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa
"As for women staying behind their husbands, I think Eleanor Roosevelt and probably Hilary Clinton (as much as I cannot STAND that women) are good examples of outspoken and strong First Ladies..."
As I recall, Hillary was pretty silent during her husband's presidency. I don't know about anyone else, but I would be pretty disgusted with my husband if he had abused his position of power and fooled around with a vulnerable intern, especially if it came to his impeachment.
I imagine she was humiliated, but did I ever hear one word from her mouth about how that felt? Not only that but the intern in question got her own Vogue spread.
It was after Bush Jr. had destroyed his own reputation that we were privileged enough to hear anything from Mrs. Rodham Clinton, and none of it had to do with Bill.
She too plays the game, and does it well. I don't blame her, she has no choice if she wants to remain in a position of influence. That is how the game works.
Wives are not supposed to notice when their husbands wander away from the marriage bed. Don't acknowledge it, don't trip, don't react. Stay in the relationship for the sake of maintaining dignity and the position of lady of the house. Just like most women throughout the history of American culture.
These are more of those "social constructs" regarding gender I mentioned in my blog "Gender is a Limitation."
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No, I like Eleanor...she was a pretty neat woman...
That's what Clinton was impeached over? Ha...I've been wondering about that...I meant to look it up.
I really don't like the Clintons, and I personally think Hilary is pretty scary...but she seems to me to be a strong woman.
RESPECT LIFE
SMILE EVERY DAY
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa
Then again, Hillary Clinton got a fair amount of criticism for standing behind her husband. I've even heard it as a reason not to vote for her in the primaries. It seems like a game that cannot be won.
Like what you've read? Well, then here's more:
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tricia0711
and divorced Bill, she would have ended any political career she might have hoped for.
In my opinion she played the game perfectly, given the cards she was dealt.
I must admit, I did not even consider her for one moment as worthy of my vote. My reason was based on these decisions she made. I could not trust her knowing she covered for such a douche bag. Still, I wish her the best in all her endeavors.
I do mind seeing her involved, especially since she is not in power. If she had won this election, she would simply be the puppet for the Good Ol' Boys. That is what she proved to me by catering to her husband's Peter Pan ways.
Perhaps this experience will really refine her. Perhaps we will be voting for Chelsea in 10 years.
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I would like to know a whole more than the label on her underwear though. I don't blame her, because I know why she is doing it, but she is playing along with the game. The game was set up when women began making their way into the working world. It ... really bugs the heck out of me.
When the country was first introduced to the First Lady, I think her credentials were touted. I knew she was a lawyer making six figures and I knew she was working in the highest echelons of the University of Chicago Medical Center.
I only really started hearing about her fashion in relationship to the exorbitant style of Mrs. Cindy McCain. When Michelle appeared on The View and was sporting that classy, yet unassuming number from White House/Black Market the country was captivated by her penchant for making "inexpensive wear".
I think the media had it set in their minds waaayyyyyyy in advance no matter who the First Lady was going to be, they were going to scrutinize her image. That's what they do. I don't see any inclination that she prompted this.
I don't want the media to STOP talking about her style, I just want them to talk more about the other projects she's working on. It’s unbalanced (The media could balance the situation a bit more if they didn’t just talk about women’s fashion, but the men’s too). The truth is, if you want to know about her, it's just not as likely to be right their when you turn on the tube. Get a book. The biography Michelle by Liza Mundy is a good place to start.
Your source said: "The Michelle-as-fashion-plate narrative is one the Obama campaign has been writing on behalf of its candidate’s wife for basically the past year..."
Writing literally? Are Obama staff members writing about her style and publishing it to advance the Obama image? Or am I taking this wrong? If so, that is unnecessary, and I wonder what her take on that would be?
Initially, I thought maybe this was going to be about her fashion, so here's my 2 pennies:
She wore a Cuban designer to the inauguration. I assumed she would wear American, but I have no issue with it.
She put the 26 year old Taipei-born New Yorker Jason Wu on the map with her Ball attire. Obviously the dress was too long! Shame on your Wu!!
**Some of this is excerpted from my blog http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/51139-michelle-obama-i-got-get-me-some-...
Mai:
"When the country was first introduced to the First Lady, I think her credentials were touted. I knew she was a lawyer making six figures and I knew she was working in the highest echelons of the University of Chicago Medical Center."
turtlesuds:
You mean when the country was first introduced to the "first lady" contestants. No one knew much about her, and I am certain the media gave Mrs. McCain and her drug habit a much more complete coverage on purpose. It's saying a lot about America when a presidential campaign is reduced to comparing itself to the Spears family.
The slight mention of Mrs. O'bama's background as a "lawyer" in as inconspicuous a whisper as possible, while boisterously announcing all of the amazing accomplishments of Sarah the Great Palin, almighty Governor of Alaska, seems to me to be very likely a story. I accredit the fact that were aware of her position at UCMC to the fact that you were looking for information, not because it was flooding headlines.
Mai:
"I only really started hearing about her fashion in relationship to the exorbitant style of Mrs. Cindy McCain. When Michelle appeared on The View and was sporting that classy, yet unassuming number from White House/ Black Market the country was captivated by her penchant for making "inexpensive wear"."
turtlesuds:
Yes, exactly the result intended, and obtained. That means it was a wise move. If I recall, the comparison of the exorbitance vs. conservatism in dress was a debate regarding Sarah and Michelle, and was focused on cost, not aesthetics. I don't remember Cindy in that discussion at all. I do remember one of the doctors I work with bagging on Palin, adding proudly that his wife bought the "Michelle" dress at the Black House/ White Market. I just realized how racially awkward that store's name is, especially in the context of the conversation.
Mai:
"I think the media had it set in their minds waaayyyyyyy in advance no matter who the First Lady was going to be, they were going to scrutinize her image. That's what they do. I don't see any inclination that she prompted this."
Uh, that was already said in the original blog. No new observation here. The title of the article I referenced is in fact, "Michelle O is no Jackie O." Now absorb that concept and you might understand the point.
according to mai source:
"First Ladies, for better or worse, have always been looked to as national fashion ambassadors, and there’s nothing wrong, really, with noting Michelle’s style choices."
Mai:
"I don't want the media to STOP talking about her style, I just want them to talk more about the other projects she's working on. It’s unbalanced (The media could balance the situation a bit more if they didn’t just talk about women’s fashion, but the men’s too)."
turtlesuds
Um, that was also said in the original blog;
"As with everything else, it’s a matter of proportionality. Just for comparison, how much do we know about Obama’s days as a student at Princeton and Harvard? Or about the work she did as a corporate lawyer at Sidley Austin, the Chicago law firm where she met Barack? Or as an assistant to Mayor Daley? Or as executive director of Public Allies Chicago? Or as a vice president at the University of Chicago Medical Center?"
You apparently only knew about her role as a lawyer and her history with UCMC.
Mai:
"The truth is, if you want to know about her, it's just not as likely to be right their when you turn on the tube. Get a book. The biography Michelle by Liza Mundy is a good place to start."
turtlesuds:
Ok, I found Barack's books far more interesting and relevant than his campaign. The campaign had to subdue the light in him. His books did not. I assume I would be similarly dazzled if I read the story of the woman this man chose to marry and make children with.
Mai:
"Your source said: "The Michelle-as-fashion-plate narrative is one the Obama campaign has been writing on behalf of its candidate’s wife for basically the past year..."
Writing literally? Are Obama staff members writing about her style and publishing it to advance the Obama image? Or am I taking this wrong? If so, that is unnecessary, and I wonder what her take on that would be?"
turtlesuds:
Um, I do not think you understand the depth or complexity of a campaign. At first the goal was to not let her stand out. Keep her quiet. After Palin's crash entrance, and the soon to follow crash of McCain's public image, Michelle became the favorite. Cindy had no sway left. Palin stole her limelight. She was just a drugged up victim, trying to help people.
McCain was hoping to get the black vote by leaking the fact that Cindy adopted some Indian girl who looked black without consulting her husband, letting him find out when he got home from some sort of business travel.
Was it literally written? yes. I saw many articles that painted these pictures. Was it deliberate? not necessarily by Barack and Michelle, but very likely by their campaign managers. Concepts get created and delegated to the press. That is the nature of "news media."
The point is, now Barack is president. Many are choking and trying not to die of panic. Some are bold enough to cry out in anger, only to be trapped by a glimpse of suspicion, and realize they have no voice anymore. They need to drink as much beer as they can, go home and beat their wives and children in order to deal with the isolation their racism is bringing to them.
The job of the media has become to make Barack look as genteel as possible, and to squelch any possible perception of Michelle as "unpredictably outspoken."
I happened to read her thesis on racial tensions on campus. It was circulated to my email by panicking Conservative Christians, labeling her as a racist against whites.
The O' Bama campaign was intelligent, and planned accordingly. Now that the inauguration is over, and Michelle is first lady, there is no question. She is our new icon for women all over the country. She represents the cause of woman far more than Hillary or Sarah combined. She is "Copper Woman."
In order for this to be palatable to the majority White America, she must not resemble a woman of passion. We all know that "African American women tend to be entitled and opinionated, with quick tempers. Oh, Lord, hell hath no furry like a pissed off black woman" Do you feel me?
We are being asked to accept Mrs. Obama as Mrs. Huxtable. America can't handle no Oprah, Jil Scott, Whoopi Goldberg, Queen Latifah or Alicia Keys in the white house. Hell no. We need to hang on to our "Jackie O" pin up. MIchelle is definitely beautiful enough to be a pin--up. I wonder who will get the first Playboy spread, Michelle, or Palin?
Obviously I need to edit my blog. It has failed to carry the message it was supposed to.
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