IMO: Michelle’s Dress

In a recent Newsweek article Allison Samuels writes, in regards to Michelle Obama’s pick for election night attire, “Her daring election night red speckled dress, designed by Narcisso Rodriguez, was hardly a cautious choice. It wasn’t all together flattering, but it showed that Michelle is searching for her own sense of style.” While I loved the majority of this article (pretty much like I love reading anything detailed about the Obamas) I was surprised that a Newsweek reporter had such a shallow analysis of what I had perceived as a very specific and meaningful piece of clothing. Yeah, I had read similar points of view in People magazine and OK (those trash mags really brighten a hospital stay I tell you), but I somehow expected more from Newsweek.

In light of this lack , I would like to briefly share my 3 initial interpretations of what Michelle’s dress meant. These impressions were simultaneously instantaneous in my brain when I watched her walk on stage with her family on November 4th.

1) Oh my god! It is the blood of all the slaves on her body. She is pointing to the ways in which African American people have historically sacrificed in order to make this great achievement possible. She wears the blood of slave mothers on her front to commemorate this.

2) In light of all the threats against Barack’s life, Michelle is pre-empting any assassination attemt by displaying the bloodshed she hopes to avoid. The choice of red and black was a strategic choice to create a metaphorical barrier from physical attack.

3) As a woman, we know the significance of our gender and our bodies of a monthly blood letting. The volcanic up-pouring on her body felt to me a signal of feminist power and strength.

So, now you get a better sense of the way I view the world. These interpretations may seem, at first, to give too much intentionality to Michelle’s clothing. I can almost hear you saying right now, “Oh jeez, get a grip Liz! Its just a dress!”

In some ways that may be true. Michelle may not have had any of these things in mind when she chose that striking garmet. But I am willing to bet that at least one of them occurred to her. I think it is a disservice to her and her savvy to believe her choice was merely a “search for her own style” Really? Do we think her so shallow that on the night of her husband’s historic election she was thinking “Huh, now how do I make a fashion statement?” No way. Our clothing is the costume we wear to express so much more than an aesthetic of commodified beauty. It is a way to communicate messages that go beyond what “looks flattering.” I firmly believe that Michelle was making a profound political point with that dress, and I will say, when I saw her in it, I fell completely in love with her because of it. She is a beautiful woman, and she is a brave woman. That is what Michelle’s dress meant to me.

Michelle's dress choice was not about style--it was political.

Ah Ha! Just what we needed!

I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING LETTER TODAY. JUST IN TIME TOO. THIS MORNING I WAS CONSIDERING WRITING TO MY FORMER DEPARTMENT AT RUTGERS TO SUGGEST SOMETHING OF THIS SORT. I WILL STILL CONTACT THEM, BUT WHAT I WAS HOPING TO SPEARHEAD HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. THANKS SMART LADIES!

Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,

We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Republican Party. We believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere partisanship, and that it is a dangerous farce—on the part of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidate—that has a real possibility of becoming fact.

Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for ourselves and for our present or future daughters. To date, she is against sex education, birth control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection, alternative energy development, freedom of speech (as mayor she wanted to ban books and attempted to fire the librarian who stood against her), gun control, the separation of church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing of her complete lack of real preparation to become the second-most-powerful person on the planet.

We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a woman, a mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant teenager, but solely as a rash, incompetent, and all together devastating choice for Vice President. Ms. Palin’s political views are in every way a slap in the face to the accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers so fiercely fought for, and that we’ve so demonstrably benefited from.

First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women voters.. We want to disagree, publicly.

Therefore, we invite you to reply here with a short, succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this country, do not support this candidate as second-in-command for our nation.

Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and place of residence.

We will post your responses on a blog called ‘Women Against Sarah Palin,’ which we intend to publicize as widely as possible. Please send us your reply at your earliest convenience—the greater the volume of responses we receive, the stronger our message will be.

Thank you for your time and action.

VIVA!

Sincerely,

Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston
New York, NY
womensaynopalin@gmail.com

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IDAHOANS FOR OBAMA IDAHOANS FOR A TRANSFORMED AMERICA

My commitment to Obama is solidified everytime I hear him speak at the end of a primary night. I usually listen on the radio since we only get network T.V. And this is what I “see.” I see a leader not pointing his finger to himself or at his opponent, I “see” A Leader opening his arms to the people. I hear him tell me, that I can make a difference, and for the first time in my “political” memory my desire for leadership, my understanding of democracy, my belief in this country is realized. We have been waiting a long time for President Barack Obama. Almost too long. The time is now to seize this moment and to embrace the potential available for a transformation of our politics. For a shift in this new millenium from a politics of fear, and destruction to a politics of hope and collaboration.

I have not shared too much about myself at this convention. Just my enthusiasm, an effort to affect environmental policy, and lots of fun conversations. Today, there is something new I want to share. I am a feminist. Really, so many of us, no matter our “sex” are feminists. But, I am a trained feminist. I actually went to graduate school to get a degree in Women’s and Gender Studies. Yeah, the job search was real hard here in Idaho.

I tell you this because it is time to share a unique quality that makes me a good choice for Delegate to the National Convention. My feminism is about perspective, inclusiveness, speaking for the marginalized, promoting equality in all areas of difference, and finding ways to collaborate to affect change. It became clear to me early in this season’s primary campaign that Barack Obama, despite many media claims to the contrary was indeed the FEMINIST CANDIDATE. The choice between a black man and a woman was always a false dichotomy to me. Using a feminist perspective Barack Obama has REPRESENTED THE BEST OF OUR FEMINIST DREAMS. He asks us to act, he speaks to the marginalized, he moves from self-interested big business driven by monetary gain, to the interest of the country as a whole and in so doing he fulfills my feminist and American dreams.

At the Convention in Denver I intend to bridge this gap of perception, not the irreprable divide, but the gap created in our party in this primary race. I intend to represent Idaho, and following the lead of Barack Obama, work to build bridges, form collaborations, and speak to the hopes and dreams we, Idahoans, from the reddest state in the nation, have for a new America with President Obama.

I dyed my hair red for this convention. Blue Girl–Red Hair. This was symbolic for me. Although I have the blue girl red sate concept deeply connected to my political identity, I have been so inspired by Senator Obama’s message that we are not divided into colored states, in this political moment we have the opportunity to be interconnected in a common vision of hope for the future. I tried to embody this message for our state convention–and by the way I have loved this experience in itself. I want to go to Denver and embody further the determination of all Idahoan’s for a transformed America. The beauty, and sometimes frustration of our political system is the disconnect that happens in elected representation. For this reason it is critical that we formulate our politics around the ability to become the “whole”. While we are all unique, with different histories, and we all have certainly contributed in varied ways to this campaign, what has struck me about this experience is our unified commitment to change and our strong optimism around Barack Obama. I feel confident I can carry this optimism to Denver, I feel in my heart I can represent Idahoans at this convention, and I ask for your vote to send me their on your behalf.

Mind Your Obama Mama

This is a salute to the many “Obama Mamas” out there.  So many women connect through Obama to their mothering, and their mothers.  A sense, that actually, this person makes sense.  Our best feminist instincts lead us to the articulation of this vision.  Hope, Yes We Can, and this paradigm fits with our mothering.

In my house the children have been dragged dripping wet out of the bathtub, folded in towels in front of the radio, being told, “Listen, its Obama…this is important…” And they do.  In my house too, the entertainment is often found in simultaneous chanting and responding to, “I WANNA!”…”OBAMA!”  We all love it.  Canyon prefers O-BA-MA O-BA-MA rhythmically.

My mother made the Oatbama Cookies.  You could also call them Obamameal cookies.  She was a delegate in ‘72 to Miami.  There is a story in my family about how when my sister heard her father and mother talking about going to Miami, she asked “Whose ami is it, yours or daddy’s?”  So I’ve heard about the convention over and over again since I was born.

The reality is too that I love participating in democracy.  I thought today’s convention was exemplary for its commitment to the vital democratic process, and also a real good example of how people will work till they are exhausted and just a little “punchy” but still reamain determined to get it done!  It was a great rule-making process on the floor.  And even though we had to negotiate and confront each other, we all were committed with good intentions and that was indeed, impressive. Great language was added to the platform using descriptive and meaningful terms to affect the inclusion of sexual difference and orientation based on  multiple gendered bodies without hesitation and in equal measure. Excellent work was done in the environment section in varied ways.  Including, language around sustainability and a diverse energy matrix with priority given to Idaho’s abundant renewable  resources.  Wait.  We didn’t quite say it like that…maybe tomorrow? (Common Groan).  But really, especially the young democrats,came up with wonderful ways of recognizing efficiency and sustainability. Some real good language was struck down by the crowd when Steve went.  And he was right to recognize economic benefits.  That is major “fuel” in policy, and we do care about the economy right? It is really strategic language he proposed. 

We did good work.  But ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, equally, undetermined by a coin toss of tails!  Lets pick up after ourselves better tomorrow.  Lets recycle our plastic containers and cans.  Lets throw our trash in the garbage located back by the water table.  We can get bags, and in a matter of minutes, clean this place up and act responsibly.  Like Democrats do.  You know that’s what the Obama Mama in you would say is good to do!