There's an interesting conversation going on around the internet surrounding an article about the Obamas that appeared in New York Magazine titled, Black and Blacker. Despite the truly idiotic headline, the article has some interesting tidbits that provide some food for thought. I'm not going to analyze the entire piece, but will use one passage as a jumping off point for a bit of discussion.
As much as any political campaign is an extended meditation on authenticity, the question of just how black the Obamas are has become particularly loaded. Michelle must project herself as black to one community, but she also must act white to another, whatever either adjective means nowadays.
Some are interpreting this passage as meaning Michelle is acting a certain way to fit in or to fool her audiences. In context it reads more to me that Michelle is expected to act certain ways by different groups in our society. I don't know what the writer meant and for the purpose of our discussion it doesn't matter. Reading that passage a question immediately popped into my head: What is acting or talking white? Which, of course, leads to another question: Am I doing it right?
I don't mean to make fun of what is for some a very important issue. I would never belittle anyone else's struggle to fit in or to be accepted as they are.
However, someone please tell me what is "White" and when did we get to claim ownership to a certain way of speaking and acting?
Is it White to pronounce words correctly? If it is, I know an awful lot of whites who just aren't White enough. Have you ever traveled to the North Carolina mountains? How about to our coast? Have you ever driven through any of our rural counties and had a conversation with local White folks?
Is it White to use words in the proper context? If it is, I know an awful lot of Whites who just aren't White enough.
Is it White to use proper grammar? If it is, I know an awful lot of Whites who just aren't White enough.
Is it White to be considerate of others and to treat your neighbors with kindness? If it is, I know an awful lot of Whites who just aren't White enough.
Is it White to work, pay taxes, obey laws and care for your children and parents? If it is, I know an awful lot of Whites who just aren't White enough.
Is it White to earn ad advanced degree? Is it White to dress fashionably? Is it White to be poised? Is it White to be gracious?
Seriously, I need to know. I may be White, but if the above is the list of what you have to do to act White, then I fear that I'm a failure. As a matter of fact, when I look at that list and review what little I know of Michelle Obama, I realize she is much better at all of the above than I am.
Maybe Michelle isn't acting anything. Maybe she's just being herself. Ever thought if it that way?
Comments
I did not want to like Michelle Obama
because I did not want Barack Obama to run for President. I supported John and Elizabeth Edwards, remember? To say that Michelle Obama grew on my is an understatement. She absolutely bowled me over. She is powerful, beautiful (from the inside out), poised, loving, charismatic, brilliant and successful. She has raised her children in much the same way I have raised mine. She is soooo not "Pickles". I look forwad to having a First Lady who is a real woman - not some plastic outdated version from Ward Cleaver's imagination.
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Robin Hayes lied, Robin Hayes cried and thousands of folks lost th
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Just don't say "articulate"
Very clearly, speech patterns and dialects seem to be the most widespread keys to "whiteness" or "blackness" after skin color. Most people probably believe they could tell a person's race just by listening to a person's voice. Most of the time, they probably would get it right.
Of course, how you talk leads people to geographic assumptions too. I am born and raised in NC, but I do not have an accent. People from here have assumed I was a yankee many times just becasue I have a non-regional dialect.
And yes, Michelle Obama is a very impressive woman.
I think in a list like that
"articulate" would have worked.
Speech patterns and dialects are used to make assumptions about people especially in the south. I know some folks with very heavy rural accents (one usually used in movies to portray an ignorant person) who are smart enough to run successful businesses. I am able to speak without an accent, but usually choose to use my belle-speak in my day-to-day life. It especially comes out when I'm excited or angry. I don't type "dayum" for nothin'. :D
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Robin Hayes lied, Robin Hayes cried and thousands of folks lost th
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Agreed
It would be Ok on that list, but it is a scary word these days. I love to listen to articluate people, Michelle Obama included. I can't stand listening to Bush speak extemporaneously. I enjoy the written and spoken word and apprecite people who can string a few thoughts together and make sense.
It can be entertaining to listen to Bush speak extemporaneously.
But he's certainly not articulate.
I really enjoy listening to Michelle Obama. I also enjoy listening to Hillary Clinton, at least when she's not campaigning.
I tend to take on the accent of the person I'm speaking to, which can be embarrassing, because sometimes they think I'm making fun of them. I'm not. I just pick up accents. But when I'm tired, or really angry, the Jersey comes out. Effin' out.
You've got a strong stomach, gal
I can't stand the sounds that come out when Bush opens his mouth. I actually turn off the radio when I heard his voice.
I can handle reading the quotes on the "stupid quote a day" calendar -- material for which fills far more than two terms worth of idiotic blatherings by our Dubya -- but even then I find myself becoming depressed that as worthless a piece of crap as he is, there are still people who think he's just great.
ugh.
I don't think anyone still thinks he's great.
That's just a myth. It has to be. I actually feel sorry for his family - his daughters, especially. Imagine if that was your dad doing all that stupid stuff! Oh my god! Holding up the American flag backwards on TV. Jeebus. And I thought my parents were embarrassing when I was a teenager.
I'm definitely not White enough
I only wear flip flops, never shave and drive a pick up truck. Oh wait. Maybe I am White enough.
Great post.
Some people criticize Mrs. Obama and then try to deflect challenges by saying they're not racist. I guess those are the ones who are really White enough.
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The NC Family Policy Council doesn't speak for my family
Apparently, as long as you
Apparently, as long as you don't use the word "race" then whatever you said cannot be construed as racist. Then when someone calls you on a racist comment, they are playing the race card. (You realize, of course, that's the generic "you" not you personally.)