Comments on: Michelle Catches Hell For No Black Designers

By: NTRested in Progress

NTRested in Progress — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:43:55 +0000

In the supposedly post-racial world that some claim we are living in, is it really necessary to prove how black you are by enacting a quota system for your wardrobe?
Having the Obamas in the White House changes the game on many levels and it ought to make us take a look at changing our collective game. We’ve got to learn to stop poking our lips out everytime we don’t get picked first in kickball. We say we agree with King’s statement that we want to live in a world where we are judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin, but then we want to cry foul when skin color isn’t the overriding factor. We can’t have it both ways. Michelle judged her dress choice by the feel of the fabric she had to wear all day long in the below-freezing temperatures. Hence Isabel Toledo’s day dress (very nice choice) and Jason Wu’s evening dress best (not so much, but as first lady she’s FREE to pick the dress she wants).
I’ve frankly heard too much about the outfits and not enough about what domestic agenda we hope she will pursue once the children are acclimated to D.C. Instead of us black folks giving her grief about a dress, let’s send her letters outlining issues that we’d like her to address from her bully pulpit that directly affect the well-being of our communities — let’s start with the apparently incurable crabs-in-a-barrel syndrome. Let’s move on to domestic abuse, misogyny, lack of self-esteem and powerlessness. Encourage her to apply the Obama model of successful male-female relationship to the community at large. And create plans that would help her achieve that goal.
Let’s free our minds so our behinds will follow.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:55:13 +0000

I liked her clothes and the diversity in designers, glad they weren’t europeans but I say whenever you can elevate Black people and keep showing the world how spectacular we are do it and that is in any arena.

We have alot of children that aspire to be President but we have a lot of young diva’s who can aspire to be designers and take the fashion world by storm.

I think she will highlight us in this arena eventually. I hope so.

By: Jacquie

Jacquie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:10:23 +0000

and another thing….I should have read the article referenced in the blog before my first comment…I have a problem with the last sentence of this quote:

Asked if perhaps the First Lady isn’t looking at the world colorlessly, Eele said, “It’s one thing to look at the world without color but she had seven slots to wear designer clothes. Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer? That was our moment.”

Ms. Eele is a little confused…it was not their moment…it was the America’s moment, it was the Obama’s moment…when did it get to be the designer’s moment? Sure, there’s the recognition that comes with designing a dress for the First Lady, but this country has a lot of issues considerably bigger than this one.

By: Jacquie

Jacquie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:03:20 +0000

Give me a break! If she’d worn only black designers, that would have been a problem, too. I’m sure she’ll be showcasing all kinds of designers over the next four years…black, white, asian, hispanic…as long as their designs fit her “style”. We should be celebrating the history that’s been made in America, not black America!

By: Yolanda

Yolanda — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:24:45 +0000

Black folks always got to act up. The poor woman just stepped onto the platform. I thought this Presidency was suppose to be about “We the People”, not about “We the Black People”. I’m sure that in the four year span of office she will wear a black designer’s clothing line. My goodness, in this day and age don’t we have enough crap on our plates as far as being citizens of the United States of America without having to worry about what the hell the First Lady is wearing. For all of you who are worried out there about Michelle’s attire, why don’t you go down to some of these homeless shelters or food banks and volunteer, and I’m sure by the time you’re done serving the masses, Michelle’s dresses would be the farthest thing on your minds.

Peace Out & God Bless

By: D-Wis

D-Wis — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:48:06 +0000

I can not believe there are people who really cared about if her designers were African American. Seriously?!

1) There are bigger fish to fry in the next four years. If we really care about the success of this first Black family in the White House, we’d all better be ready to pull our own weight. Barack can change laws, but he can not change people. Each of us have to make a conscious and personal choice to treat our neighbors better. Each of us have to commit to finding some way to contribute our talents and our time to our communities. Each and every single one of us have to decide to embrace our differences. This is a team effort, if you’re not willing to work for the team, you will ride the bench with the rest of the haters!

2) Yes, my people were running around talking about change like most of the rest of the people in the free world, but it’s sad that a lot of them will think that only means change for us!

3) Michelle has plenty of time to dazzle us with her sense of style. I am sure there will opportunities for all kinds of designers in the time that she is First Lady. Can we just be happy in knowing that she will always look good and that in itself represents us well!

4) And why do some of us still believe that every Black person who makes it must carry the heavy load of being the representative of the race. Yes, they should give back because it is what a people do to sustain their communities and those who can, should. And I am sure the Obama’s will, more than these ball players and entertainers we so idolize and seldom hold to any accountability. But they can neither speak for the entire race, dress for the entire race, or work only for the race. How could everything they do or say or wear represent an entire race of people instead of just represent who they are? Unless of course you think that because we’re all Black we all believe and think and act (and look) the same way! They are humans whose experiences and values and moral compasses will be reflected in their decisions. They can not worry about how Black folks will feel about every decision they will have to make. This is going to be a hard enough journey for them and everybody is looking at them to prove something. Can we just try to give them a little slack, especially about something so damn simple-minded as clothes!

Get Over It and Let’s Make it Happen People. There is much work to be done.

By: Dr. Lloyd

Dr. Lloyd — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:33:09 +0000

First of all this doesn’t sound like a Black person talking, but a NIGGA meaning: whatever color you are “you are ignorant.” The more things changes, the more some attitudes will stay the same: STUPID. With the country at crisis: who in their God sane mind cares what designer, designed the First Lady’s Dress. Give it a rest. I don’t know any Black person that shopes exclusively “black.” Get a grip on life, find something to do with your time, and stop “Hating.”

By: Steph E

Steph E — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:53:46 +0000

It’s the nature of the beast… had she chosen all black, it would have been a problem also. Michelle has 8 years to showcase a few folks in the fashion industry.

my thoughts…

By: bigchassie

bigchassie — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:48:36 +0000

look, let our first lady wear what she wants to wear! heyell, WE ALL DO THAT! She is grown, just like the rest of us. this is silly and so irrelevant! Michelle Obama is beautiful no matter what she wears!

By: Beloved

Beloved — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:42:00 +0000

I am sure that several sketches were presented to our new First Lady for her to consider and select. I hope she did not ask what race the designers were when she was looking at these sketches of gowns. And, now Mrs. Obama is being criticized because she *did* choose the design of a minority but….not the “right” minority because the design chosen was not created by an African American? Maybe, some of us are not as ready for “change” as we proclaim? We have to know that the Obamas can not be Afro-Centric all the time and represent all of America. We have to accept the fact that we are no longer the “only minority race” in America. And, move on.