Another Attack on Michelle Obama’s Butt — When Will It Stop?
Never in my lifetime have I seen a First Lady’s butt held under a microscope quite like Michelle Obama’s. The FLOTUS was famously criticized for her “large posterior” by Wisconsin Republican, Rep. F James Sensenbrenner, who later apologized. In the same vein, conservative radio jockey Rush Limbaugh refers to her as Michelle “My Butt” Obama. The latest man to take issue with Michelle Obama’s backside is high school football coach Bob Grisham, who is recorded by one of his students saying “Fat butt Michelle Obama. Look at her. She looks like she weighs 185 or 190. She’s overweight.”
Some may try to explain away the criticism of Mrs. Obama’s posterior as backlash from her “Let’s Move” campaign and focus on healthy living. But our First Lady has covered several fitness magazines, is praised for her toned upper body and has been televised doing consecutive pushups and planting a kitchen garden at the White House. By most standards, she is in great shape especially when one considers she’s nearly 50 years of age.
Naysayers may also cite that Michelle Obama is not the first FLOTUS to be criticized for her appearance. Recently, Hilary Clinton was the subject of several crude remarks for her “cankles.” But why the obsession with Mrs. Obama’s butt?
These negative comments on Michelle Obama’s butt seem steeped in racism. Butts, going back to Hottentot Venus (a woman from what is now South Africa whose naked body and pronounced posterior were paraded in shows throughout 19th-century Europe according to The Washington Post), are racialized as a symbol of black womanhood and as such, it’s the subject of extreme fascination and criticism. The attacks condemning her butt unsurprisingly come from conservative white men, who may perceive it as an unwelcome reminder of her “otherness.”
It has nothing to do with fitness. They’re just mad that she’s not obsessing over making her body look like she was born white. No one has a problem with black bodies — they have a problem with black people not having a problem with their bodies. Watch any bully, and you’ll see they get angrier when their victims don’t believe they’re as inferior as the bully tries to make them seem. If it wasn’t her butt, it would’ve been something else (those coveted arms, her height, her hair, it doesn’t matter).
Mademiselle, your comment make sense to me. I think that’s the truth. They are made that she is not fussing away to make herself look like a white lady’s stereotypical body.
White folks are really grasping for anything to use attack Michelle, and they are so dumb they attack something many black folks find very attractive.
Do they not realize saying she has a big butt is seen as a compliment to many? I’m sure whenever some say Michelle has a big butt Obama smiles to himself and says, “Yes, she does. :)”
These white conservatives mocking (obsession with) of Michelle’s backside seems like some twisted way of voicing their desires.
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Maybe you should pick up a newspaper sometime because this is not a secret or anything that clutch dug up.
That’s weird because its always on the news….esp if Limbaugh says something ridic and that dummy in Wisconsin that nobody cares about…
I think this is the problem – I could be wrong. The consistent criticism of “everything” in relation to our First Lady will never stop. Society will continue to scrutinize (examine – -take her apart) because it isn’t logical to THEM of the POTUS’ choice. I remember when POTUS won the first election and I was so excited b/c
1. The best selection for the job.
2. Yes, he was the first Black President.
3. We finally had a First Black Lady (his choice – we didn’t elect her)
Regardless of our First Lady’s education, accomplishments and accolades, she doesn’t’ suppose to be a black or a white’s man of THIS status choice to have as a lifetime partner. The criticism will continue to find something that isn’t perfect in THEIR eyes. She isn’t the norm of American’s standard. She is a black woman. She represents a part of society that doesn’t suppose to be placed within a higher standard and was hidden. Always desired, (but hidden). If President Obama was represented by let’s say a – Nicole Kidman—all would be fine.
I often think about how much criticism Paulette Washington received by being Denzel’s wife. I remember reading articles about how she wasn’t pretty enough. Had she looked more like a Halle Berry, she would have been more accepted. If great, accomplished men do not have a certain woman as their mates as expected, negativity will always emerge. If the First Lady gains even a 10 extra pounds, wow…what would the society have to say then? Our First Lady is bad as in MJ bad…:)!
Why he looking anyway? He must like it! Hmph!