Ta-Nehisi considers the fist-bump moment between Barack and Michelle on Tuesday night:
Anyway, that fist-bump, that moment between those two--alone--tops all the speeches I saw last night. I think it says so much. Tell me if I'm out of line here, but there was something organically feminist about that gesture. The confidence of it reminded me so much of the sort of certainty I see in so many women who learned way before college that they would have to stand on their own.
I think that little gesture is striking (Ta-Nehisi has a video clip) because it was a visual representation of a partnership, a signal that this victory is something they've accomplished together. It's an entirely different image than the "you go get 'em, honey!"-style hug or reassuring pat on the arm that we're used to seeing from candidates' wives. Like Ta-Nehisi, I have to say it gave me some hope that if he's elected, we'll be getting a presidential partnership. Much like Bill Clinton's "two for the price of one" deal in 1992.
Speaking of Michelle Obama-Hillary Clinton parallels, Kathy G. warns that the right is about to turn all its anti-woman vitriol toward Michelle. As she puts it, "radical, unfeminine, unpatriotic -- remind you of any other right-wing caricatures of a certain prominent Democratic woman with a famous husband?"
Not to be a total pessimist, but because Michelle is a woman of color, I think we can expect that right-wing caricature to be even more hate-filled and, sadly, effective. Tami points to this image, which was uploaded to Daily Kos last week:
And she explains,
To be fair, the image initially accompanied a post about the modern Southern Strategy and how it is being used against Barack Obama. The social criticism of racism by the author, a poster called One Citizen, was good, but the inflammatory image injected into the discussion a disturbing aspect of woman in peril sexuality. Here you have Michelle Obama, bound, submissive and strangely sexualized in a backless, clinging red dress intersected with themes of racial violence.
Tami goes on to cite a dozen racist and sexist comments about and portrayals of Michelle Obama. And Kathy asks,
What I'm wondering right now is, what can we - as Democrats, as feminists, as people who are deeply committed to racial equality -- do to help and support her? Here's the thing: we have, to an extent, the benefit of hindsight here. We know what the right did to Hillary, and we can expect them to do a lot of the same things to Michelle. How do we combat this?
Well, for one thing, Tami rightly called out white feminist bloggers for failing to be as diligent at decrying these incidents of sexism/racism against Michelle Obama as we are about taking note of sexism against Hillary. That's fair; we have to be better about that. But it does feel frustrating to have no bigger answer to Kathy's questions above other than, "We can blog about it."
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Ann asks:
Only if we (liberals) are really, really lucky! What better, more forceful way to bring home to Clinton supporters how unspeakably evil the republican right wing is on feminist issues!
Personally, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If I see this happening, why, I might even go buy some lottery tickets!
I have to confess once Obama won I felt a shiver of fear for him and his family. Even though I am sure that they have encountered racism and sexism in their lifetimes they are now wide open to the most evil bigots of our nation.
Michelle is a right wing nightmare:) Rubs hands with glee......Perhaps with us all being hypersensitive after Hillary's campaign the majority of the country will recognize the sexism as it happens and protest immediately.
Full disclosure; I do confess I am a Hillary supporter but I do look forward to seeing Obama and his family in the White House.
Like Ta-Nehisi, I have to say it gave me some hope that if he's elected, we'll be getting a presidential partnership.
This is truly the most bizarre aspect of USian politics: why get rid of a royal family only to elect one? Why would anyone want a presidential partnership? Cherie Blair continued her own career when Tony Blair became Prime Minister of Britain. I have no idea what Laureen Harper is doing at any time of the day: her husband is Prime Minister of Canada, not her.
If a first lady is thought of as victory for feminism (anyone - I don't care whether it's Michelle Obama, or anyone else), then that speaks volumes about how far behind the United States truly is. That Michelle Obama is even a target for Barack's opponents (and the symbols and tactics they employ are indeed hideous) is just bizarre and dysfunctional.
That fist bump was priceless.
But as for the rest:
Well, this is all (and by "all" I mean all of the racism and misogyny directed at any of the candidates or their families/supporters) disgusting and terribly unsurprising.
In addition to blogging, I think it might be worthwhile for people in communities like this one to resolve to write a shitload of letters. Not one or two. Many. Preferably every time we see something like this.
I think later today I am going to write something like a form letter that I can modify to fit each instance and save it in my email. These various media outlets participating in this need to be called out on their turf, I think, because chances are they're not coming to places like this looking for enlightenment.
Now that a very heated primary season is over, ALL of the attacks will be used against the democratic NOMINEE (as opposed to a primary candidate) and therefore will be doing direct damage to the chances of beating McCain in November.
So that's the pragmatic argument for a stepped up offensive against this crap.
Oh yeah, and it's just plain wrong and an embarrassment to our country regardless of who it's directed against.
you're a smidgen late... Racialicious already put up essentially this same post. You might want to add a crosslink.
Vodalus, the Racialicious post was a cross-post of Tami's original piece. (Which Ann linked to/quoted)
Well, I like the song they're playing.
Honestly though, I'm not so comfortable about extrapolating so much about their partnership from a little dap, just like I don't think you can extrapolate Obama's whole relationship with women from his use of "sweetie" and ignoring that reporter...
To me it just looked like her way of congratulating him.
Don't get me wrong -I have no doubt Michelle is a very intelligent, capable woman... but, I just haven't seen any indication she's as interested in politics as Hillary Clinton was even before she met Bill.
I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens with Michelle if Barack gets to office though, huh?
That fist bump is a black thing and it was awesome. Please do not try to project.
"Please do not try to project."
And what do you mean by that, exactly?
Forgive my being harsh here, but I'm really sick of this attitude expressed in the last line:
"But it does feel frustrating to have no bigger answer to Kathy's questions above other than, 'We can blog about it.'"
Yeah, it must be frustrating to not be able to contemplate any potential for political action beyond a goddamned computer keyboard. Are you serious?
Try any one of the following: You can speak with people about this, as in face to face. You can organize and get petitions signed. You can (being web-savvy) set up a "Racism/Sexism Watch" website to monitor the media's acceptance or promotion of such garbage. You can challenge racism and sexism every day, in every place you see or hear it. Again, you can organize.
Please. If the only thing you know how to do politically is blog (and I'm sure that's not the case), then please stop blogging, go learn something else, and come back when you're finished. You'll be better for it. So will all of us.
CNN has kind of a lame video about the fist bump:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/06/04/moos.political.fist.bump.cnn
Agreed.
How does a fist-bump say something organically feminist?
Woooow, Michelle and Barack teamed up to make *him* the Democratic nominee. How... familiar and ordinary.
I thought it was a bad thing to offer a two-for-one in the White House, anyway.
Don't get me wrong; I think Michelle seems pretty great and I am confident the Republicans will really let 'er rip on her. And Liz, I think your idea is a good one.
You're straining to find the feminist side of Obama when a hand bump a "striking" symbol of partnership. She quickly comes out, hugs, bumps, then RETIRES TO THE SIDELINES.
"The confidence of it..." Ugggghhhhhh.... It was a goddamn high five, it's not like she was going out there and sticking it to the man. Everyone's so in love with the SHOWMANSHIP of this campaign it's sickening.
Anyone else notice how it seemed to start as a highfive?
This isn't directed at Ann, but perhaps for those logging protests about interpretations of the fist bump could turn their attention to that disgusting image of racism and sexism directed at Michelle Obama? Where is the outrage over that image?
Glad to see that Tami's post made it over to feministing. I highly suggest people check out the links Ann provided.
"Tami rightly called out white feminist bloggers for failing to be as diligent at decrying these incidents of sexism/racism against Michelle Obama as we are about taking note of sexism against Hillary. That's fair; we have to be better about that." More than "being better than that" I second liz's comment on writing letters and keeping a generic copy to send to media outlets, etc when images and racist/sexist comments are made about Michelle Obama.
What I would like to know is what took you so long to put this image on your blog? It has been around the black feminist blogosphere for awhile now, and it is only TODAY that you are acknowledging its existence.It seems white feminists are always a day late and a dollar short when it comes to taking action on behalf of women of color. I really want to know why is that? Since Sojourner Truth cried out with a black womans rage ain't I a woman we have been unheard, in fact silenced from the very group that claims to have the interests of women as a top priority. When the chips are really down saying better late than never simply does not cut it anymore.
If a first lady is thought of as victory for feminism (anyone - I don't care whether it's Michelle Obama, or anyone else), then that speaks volumes about how far behind the United States truly is.
I agree with this completely which is part of why I remain mystified as to how Ms. Clinton became a feminist icon.
Renee, feministing covers a lot of ground. A lot of which other feminists blogs don't. Some things take time and if this image was being discussed on other blogs for a while, so it is not being ignored. Also, feministing is not the face of feminism or white feminism or anything else, so maybe don't hold them to that impossible standard? Being "late" in putting up this image does not "silence" anyone. Issues of women of color are addressed here and its disingenuous to suggest otherwise, I feel.
Ann, I agree. What I saw in the "fist bump" was a partnership. That's important to see in a Presidential candidate. No one is regulated to the side, even if they are sitting there. (Or something.)
I think it's ridiculous to expect so much out of a group that is barely getting organized. Yes, there needs to be more about women of color, (also about women of muslim origins, who are in the bottom of the list now) but I honestly don't see the point in chastising feminists for not being perfect. I'd like to remind everyone that the feminist movement is almost nonexistent so please stop trying to bash what is trying to come out of the ground instead of nurturing it. stop screaming at the few who are trying to do something right. If you are so righteous why didn't YOU send this material to this blog as something worth publishing? We are all the feminist movement, stop pointing your fingers at others.
feministing, thank you for publishing this post, and please continue doing your best, and we will help.
Blogging still helps. Talking is still a verb, last I checked, and when people are listening, it's worth saying something.
That's still very important. Nothing gets done if no one knows there's a problem.
If a first lady is thought of as victory for feminism (anyone - I don't care whether it's Michelle Obama, or anyone else), then that speaks volumes about how far behind the United States truly is. That Michelle Obama is even a target for Barack's opponents (and the symbols and tactics they employ are indeed hideous) is just bizarre and dysfunctional.
That's just it, the US is INCREDIBLY far behind as far as women's involvement in politics is concerned. When she was First Lady, it was a big deal for Clinton to have gone beyond the smiling arm candy in the background and take the forefront as a member of the political sphere. That's why American feminists get so gaga over things like the possibility of the First Lady being *gasp* RESPECTED as a person with opinions and ideals and POWER to make change. That's huge for us because we are so behind, that even the women who get into that public political sphere are turning around and saying "what the fuck? do I really belong here?" (a...um...twisted interpretation of women like Schlafly and Ferrarro, to be sure)
It sucks, but if riding coattails is how we're going to get a woman into the presidency, maybe that's what we have to focus on for now: making that positive in some way.
And I agree with wobblydoxology and liz: write letters. Get heard. This isn't up to just the bloggers at feministing, it's up to all of us. Pull a "Kochno" every day (meaning our response to him, not his own dumb-ass-ed-ness). Make it a priority to contact a media outlet once (or more!) a day about something positive OR negative that they've done in their coverage. Send a letter to Michelle Obama so she and Barack know that there are real people out here who think that the racism/sexism is wrong, so they have that continued support to stand in the spotlight and be judged.
The fist-bump was cute. The Kos image, not-so-much. I saw it late last night browsing Racialicious and was too disgusted to even deal with it. The guy is an asshole who refuses to accept that no, it's not fucking funny.
Renee, it's near impossible for us to cover every story the day of (or even sometimes the week of) - though we do our best to cover stories in the timeliest way possible. All of us have other jobs, and do Feministing as a labor of love - so I'd just ask your patience when it comes to our coverage. And, of course, if there's ever a story you think we've overlooked, feel free to email us.
That said, I think all of us here have been a bit MIA the last week or so on a lot of stories because we were dealing with (and still are to a lesser degree) a site upgrade and an infestation of trolls.
"It sucks, but if riding coattails is how we're going to get a woman into the presidency, maybe that's what we have to focus on for now"
I never understood this idea of riding coattails,... Everyone rides on the coattails of someone else, all men do it. So when a woman is in the same spot it is considered "unpure" somehow!! All great men were riding the coattails of previous men. Women in general are offered less coattails to ride, so let's not deprive ourselves of all support. There is no such thing as a "pure" woman president.
And.....
Isn't feminism about ALL women? and even men? Doesn't sexism that happens to an Asian woman also harm black and brown and white women too? Maybe I'm young enough that I learned feminism is for all women, but that's how I look at it- It's not just about old white ladies anymore, and Feministing.com makes that pretty damn clear in their coverage.
I actually blogged about this a week ago and it was posted in Racialicious so don't tell me about raising the alarm. Finally this issue with Michelle Obama was about a woman that is in the center of a media firestorm. It was ignored I suspect because feminism was to busy defending poor HRC. Why should mainstream blogs concern themselves about WOC when white women are coming under attack in the media. It is a matter of priorities and once again women of color are getting the short end of the stick. That should at least be acknowledged. Just admit you dropped the ball, there is no shame it. Just own it. Make WOC are priority once and while at least so the glaring inequalities stop engendering such righteous anger.
Just to clarify a few things, the image was:
a) originally posted as a (bungled and offensive) commentary on racism
b) by a diarist, not the great orange satan himself, or anybody with any editorial authority at the site* and
c) deleted subsequently after it was pointed out that it was offensive to many readers (though the diarists comments suggest that he still doesn't get it, he took it down all the same).
*Which is not to say that he and they haven't said boneheaded things in the past, but they're innocent of this one.
I'm actually more worried about their little girls than I am about Michelle Obama. I've only seen a couple interviews with her, but she struck me as a very strong, competent woman who is fully aware of what is coming her way and prepared to deal with it.
I'm not much older than Chelsea Clinton and I can remember what was said about her when her parents first hit the scene and while they were in the White House. After what was done to Chelsea, I have no doubt Malia and Sasha will also be spotlighted by anyone wanting a sound bite. (I had to google to find out their names and ages, which could be taken as a good sign. At least so far, they are being protected from the limelight.)
At least in the South, those two girls will be seen as fair game when it comes to insulting and tearing down Obama...which is a sad, sad, truly horrible comment on the state of the South in the 21st century.
Yeah, I was immediately struck by that fist bump. Something about it touched a chord in me. I know it's trivial, but something about it was striking.
It really did suggest to me that this marriage is a partnership. They won this thing together. And together, they are moving forward.
Its definetly not something a stepford wife republican would have done.
pardon me iqonefiftynine but what? "That fist bump is a black thing and it was awesome. Please do not try to project."
So my white boss and I (white as well) should stop doing the fist bump every time we settle a really good case? Utterly ridiculous. I'm disappointed no one else is commenting on this divisive comment.
(I did not interpret the fist bump as partnership in the White House per se, but just support in general. I loved it!)
Surely this gesture has generated national discussion because white america does it after every meal.
"Honey that was some awesome meat loaf." (fistbump) "Thanks dear!"
wow. if I'd seen this article first: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1812102,00.html
I might have had no idea the fist bump originated in black culture.
I'm glad I saw feministing first.
Re: The Dap (a.k.a. fistbump)
I'll just say this: many times, in segments of the black community, the expectation is that women are supposed to stand behind their men in support. That a woman who is too smart, too powerful, too outspoken is a liability rather than an asset. When there are major events in the black community, many are normally focused around the progression of men. Women are supposed to be the silent back up support. A lot of men, when reflecting on the Million Man March, say something to the effect of "and the women waved to us from the porches" or "and we got home after fasting to a great meal." Women weren't even really encouraged to go to the march. Some did go to stand in solidarity, but it is really all about the men.
So the fact that Michelle is up there, vocal and visible, is quite amazing to me. And the dap is one extra element of that understanding. They hugged first, as most people do. But that dap - that was a "we did it" kind of thing. So it's refreshing to see. Dap may not be feminist, but it may be womanist.
@libdevil -
That image wasn't the only one. Michelle has been described as all kinds of variations on "uppity," "lantern-jawed" and the other pic I put in on the Racialicious post is eerily reminiscent of the New Republic cover with "The Voices in Her Head" tagline. Though of course, they gave it a suitably black twist. (fighting with Condi over a man? Check? Kissing Al Sharpton's ass? Check?) So the Daily Kos thing is one egregious slight out of many.
"A lot of men, when reflecting on the Million Man March, say something to the effect of "and the women waved to us from the porches" or "and we got home after fasting to a great meal."
Actually the reflections were about unity, hope, and brotherhood, not about what was eaten when everyone got home. I find your characterization disgusting.
"'A lot of men, when reflecting on the Million Man March, say something to the effect of "and the women waved to us from the porches" or "and we got home after fasting to a great meal.'
Actually the reflections were about unity, hope, and brotherhood, not about what was eaten when everyone got home. I find your characterization
disgusting."
Unity, hope and brotherhood...for the MEN! Latoya is trying to make a point about how some parts of the black community were focused around black men while women, to quote Latoya, "Women are supposed to be the silent back up support." Read her analysis again before you write it off as disgusting. She's making a point about how in the case of the Obama's we are seeing a partnership and an involvement of black women. To see Michelle Obama up there with her husband is a powerful image.
"I'm not much older than Chelsea Clinton and I can remember what was said about her when her parents first hit the scene and while they were in the White House."
Same here. I also remember a Sassy magazine article about women who should run for president including Chelsea once she reached the minimum age of 35 (2016, right?)...
"After what was done to Chelsea, I have no doubt Malia and Sasha will also be spotlighted by anyone wanting a sound bite. (I had to google to find out their names and ages, which could be taken as a good sign. At least so far, they are being protected from the limelight.)"
Good points. I'm also reminded of an article on the candidates daughters:
"Wannabe first daughters woo youth vote" by Jude Sheerin, BBC News, february 23, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7250458.stm
"...Twenty-somethings Chelsea Clinton, Republican front-runner John McCain's daughter, Meghan, and Mike Huckabee's daughter, Sarah, are all making an impact on the stump this year..."
Sheerin also mentioned the Bush twins, Alice Roosevelt, Patti Davis, and Alexandra Kerry but totally left out Malia and Sasha Obama (maybe because they're so much younger?).
"She's making a point about how in the case of the Obama's we are seeing a partnership and an involvement of black women."
She's making a point alright... by denigrating another important event. If you think the Michelle's image is powerful just say that and that alone. Slanderous, negative attacks on the MMM are not needed. The attendees and participants did not require nor expect silent support by women or any other group. Stop the lies. Stop the excuses. And since you ain't saying jack about the Million Women March stop the hypocrisy.
I am way behind on this and haven't read the above comments, but I thought I would add what I heard on the radio while driving through Oklahoma. It was some trashy right-wing talk show, and this guy called in and was like "Michelle keeps on running her mouth, and it reminds me of what Hillary was like with Bill back in the day..." (and, of course, his tone implied that equating her to Hillary was no compliment).
Funny how much some people are afraid of women in power...
IQ -
That wasn't a slam on the March itself. I said specifically "a lot of men, when reflecting on the March..."
Different. I remember that day very well, and how the success of that event inspired dozens of spin offs including the million women, the million mom, the million family, etc, etc. Though none came quite close to the awesomeness of that first event.
However, there have been undertones in black organizing that women are supposed to be the silent support and back up. And, as I said, reading the narratives post-March struck me deeply in terms of how many men voiced their approval for that kind of passive support, instead of standing with them as I think many black women would prefer.
Or, would you have preferred I illustrate the point with "the only place for a woman in the movement is prone" quote?
In my opinion, the MMM was much more positive and progressive than some of the other examples I could have pulled, and generally has a better connotation.
IQ -
That wasn't a slam on the March itself. I said specifically "a lot of men, when reflecting on the March..."
Different. I remember that day very well, and how the success of that event inspired dozens of spin offs including the million women, the million mom, the million family, etc, etc. Though none came quite close to the awesomeness of that first event.
However, there have been undertones in black organizing that women are supposed to be the silent support and back up. And, as I said, reading the narratives post-March struck me deeply in terms of how many men voiced their approval for that kind of passive support, instead of standing with them as I think many black women would prefer.
Or, would you have preferred I illustrate the point with "the only place for a woman in the movement is prone" quote?
In my opinion, the MMM was much more positive and progressive than some of the other examples I could have pulled, and generally has a better connotation.