First Lady says she's tired of people portraying her as "some kind of angry black woman."

[bigtree]

January 11, 2011

First lady Michelle Obama is challenging assertions she's forcefully imposed her will on White House aides, saying she's tired of people portraying her as "some kind of angry black woman."

Mrs. Obama tells CBS News she hasn't read New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor's new book that characterizes her as a behind-the-scenes force in the Executive Mansion, whose strong views often draw her into conflict with President Barack Obama's top advisers.

"I never read these books," she told CBS's Gayle King in an interview broadcast Wednesday. "So I've just gotten in the habit of not reading other people's impressions of people."

In the interview, Mrs. Obama said, "I love this job. It has been a privilege from day one."

"I do care deeply about my husband," Mrs. Obama said in the CBS appearance. "I am one of his biggest allies. I am one of his biggest confidants." But she sought to put aside "this notion that I sit in meetings."

"I guess it's just more interesting to imagine this conflicted situation here," she said. "That's been an image people have tried to paint of me since the day Barack announced, that I'm some kind of angry black woman."

"There will always be people who don't like me," Mrs. Obama added, and said she could live with that.


read more: http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/11/10112993-mrs-obama-tired-of-angry-black-woman-stereotype

watch the CBS video here: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7394714n


First Lady Michelle Obama speaks with children as she delivers toys and gifts donated by Executive Office staff to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington on December 16. (AFP Photo/Nicholas Kamm)

[rfranklin]

1. If I were her I would be very angry about that!

Goddammit!

[roguevalley]

15. Run for President, Michelle. You have my vote. I love you.

[Mopar151]

2. "Michelle is the Bee's Knees!" Jerry Springer n/t

[rurallib]

3. We were fortunate to meet her on the campaign trail

actually caught her between stops and had some tea with her.
She was one of the most wonderful people I have ever met.
Devoted to her husband and kids, with some definite ideas on giving back to the community.
When i hear negatives about Michelle it upsets me.

[asjr]

4. She is a lovely woman. Usually

the First Ladies will become targets when they arrive. It is a game with political entities in D.C. Cattiness doesn't begin to describe it. Mrs Obama is handling it well. I haven't read the book about the Obamas, just excerpts, but I know a play for money when I see it and this book is trying to be a money-grabber.

[yardwork]

6. The book is trying to get Romney elected. Any smear will do.

[bigtree]

5. pretty cool

I'm glad she's speaking up. These writers have gotten carried away with their fiction. Her real life is infinitely more interesting than the spin.

[justiceischeap]

7. Angry black woman = woman of color with an opinion (nt)

[Behind the Aegis]

16. That is it exactly (but often applies to women regardless of color).

opinionated, forceful Black man = aggressive
opinionated, forceful White man = assertive


I have never heard anything but nice things about Ms. Obama. This sounds like the smear-shit campaign that happened the last time there was a democrat in the house.

[justiceischeap]

18. I'm quite shocked we haven't heard "uppity" yet

or maybe we have and I just missed it.

[ellisonz]

23. Agree.

There's a sort of mob think that predominates bigotry.

[Matariki]

26. True that. Look at how Hillary Clinton was treated.

[fredamae]

8. I wish I could get the message

to our First Lady, that it is kantor who is undignified, angry, petulant, immature-a bottom feeder if you will. This is evidenced by her own written words. In a nutshell, kantor appears Jealous.

What mature adults know:
First Lady Michelle Obama is one of the Most smart, beautiful, elegant, poised, eloquent women to have graced the White House in decades. Period. She is demonstrating to other women how to rise above the fray, plow forward to continue on with her goals. She helps people, educates kids. She encourages all of us to "be" and teaches us to be there for each other. She is the role model I want for my grand-daughters.
I am tired of this also, Mrs. Obama.

[bigtree]

19. @michelleobama

from the DNC:

We're excited today to launch @michelleobama as a new way for you to connect with First Lady Michelle Obama and the President's campaign.

[fredamae]

20. Thank you! n/t

[yellowcanine]

9. What a great picture of a classy lady. The people trying to drag her down will fail.

Americans know class when they see it.

[Iggo]

10. She's tired of racists?

Yeah. Me, too.

[seabeyond]

11. you go woman. speak out. dont take this shit. kick some ass. NEVER

stay quiet.

[lsewpershad]

12. Jealousy??

Methinks.

[bigwillq]

13. Good for her.

K and R

[theaocp]

14. I wish she'd be a bit more angry with her husband.

President Obama could use some of her steel to aid the country. I really like what I've heard and read about the First Lady.

[LibertyLover]

17. I work just up Pennsylvania Avenue about 5 blocks from the White House

I have never met either the First Lady or President Obama but from everything I have read and heard from people I work with who have had that pleasure, Mrs. Obama is one of the classiest, intelligent and caring presidential wives to come down the Pike in a very long time.

[politicasista]

21. Kick. Good for her

and nice pic.

[Number23]

22. It literally breaks my heart that she even had to respond to such a bigoted, idiotic charge

[Saving Hawaii]

24. Angry black woman says she's tired of people portraying her as "some kind of angry black woman."

CBS should really work on some better headline writing. Elephant in the room crap.

[deacon]

25. They've been trying to do this since 2007. n/t