Michelle Obama, “feminist nightmare”? How lazy journalism hurts feminism

[DonViejo]

Politico's narrow-minded critique was just the latest example. When can we stop talking about who's a bad feminist?

ROXANE GAY

Michelle Obama has some nerve dictating her own priorities as the first lady of the United States. At least, that’s what Michelle Cottle reveals in a rankly condescending piece of shallow provocation for Politico. According to the headline, the first lady is a “feminist nightmare” because she is not adhering to the Feminist Mandates, these forever unspoken but rigid mandates for what a feminist is and how “she” should be. Clearly, in addition to first lady, she must also be known as the first feminist and the first feminist better not step out of line.

Cottle liberally peppers her article with passive-aggressive barbs about Obama’s elite education, as if to say, “Look how this Ivy League-educated woman is wasting her feminist potential.” Then there are the snide comments about Obama in “full mom mode,” heretically telling students to do well in school and focusing on keeping children active as part of a measure to address the significant childhood obesity problem in the United States.

The shame here is clear: Motherhood, fitness and early education are beneath feminists. Cottle further trivializes Obama’s healthy eating initiatives as “gardening.” She gleefully references Obama’s fashion choices and toned arms. Heaven forbid a woman in the most glaring of public eyes pay attention to her appearance. Cottle also notes that East Wing officials have made it clear that Michelle Obama “will focus on young people, not policy,” as if focusing on young people isn’t a political choice.

Cottle’s sad excuse of an article was illuminating in one way. I learned that feminists have supposedly been wringing their hands over Obama’s tenure as first lady because she hasn’t and won’t become an “edgier, more activist first lady.” I was not heretofore aware feminists were disappointed in Obama and how she chooses to live her life. I was not aware that Obama was not an activist. Now I know.

full article
http://www.salon.com/2013/11/26/michelle_obama_feminist_nightmare_how_lazy_journalism_hurts_feminism/

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. MHP, Karen Finney, Joan Walsh and others have taken Michelle Cottle to task for this "lazy" tripe.