The Other Obama

[tree_woman]

Michelle Obama, that is. She's in the news for gracefully quitting her $215,000-a-year dream job as vice president of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals in order to serve her hubby's historic White House run.

In a right-on article for Salon.com, Debra Dickerson expresses outrage and sadness at Obama's decision

Comments

feminist - you can sniff that word from 1,000 miles away

[vernpittsburgh]

OK. Let's not fool ourselves into thinking that Mrs. Obama is going to be ass out of a meaningful job if Barack loses the presidency. Dickerson makes it sound like she was backed into a corner. As much as this writer wishes for it, feminism will not wash away the ills facing black women. And if there was a scintilla of evidence that it would, Michelle Obama would not be leading the charge.

Whatever happened to the tried, true tradition of support. Don't confuse it with submission. It's backing of a spiritual, moral and/or physical perspective. For Pete's sake, her husband is running for leader of the free world; cut her some slack.

Re: feminist - you can sniff that word from 1,000 miles away

[tree_woman]

Dooooood, no one's trying to be hard on Ms. Obama, as I thought my post made clear. Instead, Dickerson is pointing out that there's a long tradition of what you call "support" that is extremely one-sided. When's the last time you heard of a hubby quitting his job in "support" of his wife's ambitions? Is it impossible to support your hubby while still working and following your dreams? And quit hating on the word "feminist." It may be stinky, and it may not have all the answers for everyone, but it is a legitimate social critique.

However, I'll concede that Dickerson does make it seem like Ms. Obama had no choice and was forced to quit, which I agree is not true. I think the point is more that every time another woman does this, it sends a (lopsided) message. Behind every great man is a...., but behind every great woman is what? A cat? ;)

Re: feminist - you can sniff that word from 1,000 miles away

[vernpittsburgh]

I'm not hating on feminist. But MRS. Obama is running for first lady and she should pursue that in any fashion that is comfortable in her skin.

And feminist are not stinky.

Behind every great man is a great woman = A great MAN can not be great without a great WOMYN. (i.e. support)

Just ask my wife ;)

Re: feminist - you can sniff that word from 1,000 miles away

[diablo_guapo]

what about the great men behind great men? or is that myn?