COMMENTARY | In her interview with CBS's Gayle King, Michelle Obama stated that she's tired of people portraying her as "some kind of angry black woman." The comment I liked most of all is the mature comment that "there will always be people who don't like me," and this is true for everyone. It has to be hard on her as a black woman in the White House than with any other first lady, because growing up black teaches you that there are people who are just waiting for you to do something incorrect, violent, or out of expected character. Yet, I didn't know that black females were considered angry by others -- I thought that was something reserved for black men to use as a description of her mentality after she tells him to get a job. Wait! This does not apply to all.
Now let's ask ourselves what other stereotypes are contributed to black females? What stereotypes are contributed to black girls and boys? We don't have enough time here to list those aimed at black males, but can you imagine walking around all day, every day with this kind of caution in the back of your mind? I bet there are real voices in her head warning her to make sure Sasha's hair is combed, or that Malia doesn't have ashy elbows or avoid using the term ain't in a sentence! There cannot be any relaxation for a black mother living in the White House, because she has to watch for all of these things and then some, because when criticism comes to her it will be world news tonight.
Nevertheless, you have to admire Michelle for keeping a smile and supporting her husband into the White House. She knew full well that people are watching her hips at the same time that they are admiring her strong arms. Women around the country, whether black or white, know when she takes his hand walking across the White House lawn that she wants to feel him or just told him where to go before the cameras showed up. What would the Secret Service do, if Michelle just punched Barack right in the face for putting her in this situation and dared the service to do something about it? No one would want to see that I assure you - they would rather make up stories based on stereotypes and have themselves some fun at another's expense.
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