Do we need the term "First Lady"? Thoughts on Michelle Obama...
Michelle Obama’s trip to the G-20 summit is perhaps as publicized as her husband’s, though for different reasons; the main concern with her trip is “What is she wearing” (J. Crew) and “Who is she sitting next to at dinner?” (J.K. Rowling, among others
( Read more... )
Yes! This is something I wish people asked more often. I remember way back when Johnny Carson was still hosting, Dudley Moore was on the Tonight Show, and in his interview he said something very close to: it's as superficial to like someone for their intelligence as it is for their beauty.
He said is badly, and was boo'd by the audience - but he was right. People don't choose to be smart any more than they choose to be beautiful. It doesn't reflect on who they are as a human being.
My question is this: do you think Michelle can, or should, redefine what it means to be "First Lady"? I like the term "First Lady" - but then, I also like "First Gentleman" for a president's husband. It's a job in itself. I've read feminist criticisms of Michelle for quitting her job to further her husband's career - but again, I personally would expect the same of a female president's husband. It would seem almost disrespectful, in a way, for the spouse ( ... )
Reply
Reply
And I would love to see a First Gentleman discussing menus, and Christmas lights, and things like that. There's nothing wrong with domesticity - it's necessary and good - and it'd be amazing to see the stigma taken away from the many men involved in those roles.
I look forward to seeing how she balances being a mother with staying true to her intellectual self.
This sentence is problematic to me. It implies a distinction where there is none - and THAT is part of the negative attitudes about motherhood to which I was referring. Loving her children and taking good care of them adds a dimension to a woman's personality; it shouldn't be seen as taking anything away from her. :)
Reply
There's nothing wrong with domesticity - it's necessary and good - and it'd be amazing to see the stigma taken away from the many men involved in those roles.
I think you're absolutely right; I suppose my pessimism makes me despair because I don't think, in our current culture of masculinity and machoism, that it would happen anytime soon.
This sentence is problematic to me. It implies a distinction where there is none - and THAT is part of the negative attitudes about motherhood to which I was referring. Loving her children and taking good care of them adds a dimension to a woman's personality; it shouldn't be seen as taking anything away from her. :)I adore you for this sentence!! You are absolutely right!! Upon reflection, I suppose I mean that she's already given up her career in order to take care of her children while she and her husband campaigned, and now she has a "career" that she's publically stated she never ( ... )
Reply
Sadly, you're probably right about the machoism - at the best, I suppose there'd be a different spin on the same things. Like that commercial where the men refer to their shower poufs as lather-builders. *g* I guess I try to think of things in terms of the best eventual result, rather than the getting-there, which isn't always immediately practical.
So I guess I mean to say I hope she is able to achieve her intellectual/professional dreams
Here too, so much. If things go well, I wouldn't be surprised if she became the first female president - if she chose to. Hillary came close - it seems like even if Michelle didn't want to be First Lady, the experience could definitely be an enormous asset for her future ambitions, whatever they may be.
Reply
Leave a comment