Am I the only one who hasn't noticed Michelle Obama's arms? Apparently the media has and apprently, Michelle is a very fit woman. Katha Pollitt, author of the article "Mad About Michelle" has a very interesting oppinion on the popularity of our new first lady. In said article Pollitt compares Michelle to Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush and implies a question: Why are Hillary and Laura held admired like Michelle? Pollitt never says that Michelle isn't deserving of the world's admiration, but she does imply that she's not completely impressed with our 6ft, curvy, out-going, super mom, by saying things like: "She went to excellent schools, got decent grades, stayed away from too much intellectual heavy lifting, and held a series of practical, modestly salaried jobs while accommodating her husband's wilder dreams and raising two lovely daughters."
Pollitt continues to make very good points about how we as a society tend to still think that women role-models should wear an apron and drive a mini-van to all ocassions even if they have already proven their intellectual levels with docterates and degrees. Michelle Obama went from an "accomplished professional and outspoken social critic to new-traditionalist homebody." says Pollitt.
I found this article not only interesting but also entertaining. While reading this piece I found myself amused with her sarcastic and to-the-point writing style, and distracted of "feminist" thoughts about what it is to be a sucessful, educated woman in today's lime light and the pressures that go with it. Women must be everything, in order to be "sucessful" or admirable; we must be educated, sociable, motherly, polite yet we must stand our ground when necessary and we must be able to graciously take a back seat to the men we love.
If Pollitt has any problems with Michelle Obama, I certainly do not agree! She has it all together far more than I ever would even if this is just an act that first ladies must put on for the media. In which case I am on the fence, on one hand kudos to her for being able to be comfortable with her new "role", and on the other shouldn't a woman role-model feel free to be herself as our past female mover and shakers like Elenore Roosevelt or Hillary Clinton?
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I feel that Michelle Obama does seem to have it together, and for America's sake hopefully she does. We know that the First Lady does have responsibilities as well. However it is scary to think that it could all be an act because it's what they want the public to see. I guess we'll find out eventually.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this was an interesting article about the new First Lady of the United States. It points out the high expectations that we, as a country, have for ladies in positions of power and prestige. I admire Michelle Obama's poise in her new position, the way she handles herself. However, I feel like we should not make her the next Eleanor Roosevelt just because she looks nice in J.Crew.
ReplyDeleteI read this article also. I think she does have it together but I feel sad that we as American citizens have to pick at everything as well as everyone. We are never happy with what we have.
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