Michelle: The other Obama

A Black, a woman, and not even a bit as glamorous Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama was a mom and a reluctant supporter in her husband’s campaign.

Smita Mishra

As the election year began she was considered the least famous of the candidates’ spouses. She was starkly honest, impolitic, wrote her own speeches and discussed in public her family life. She was a Black and she was a woman. And not even a bit as glamorous Sarah Palin. Michelle Obama was a mom and a reluctant supporter in her husband’s campaign. Though an attorney and earning double the salary than her husband, donning nothing less than Calvin Kleins and Donna Ricco, she lacked the finesse and the friendly aura of Laura Bush, the political experience of Hillary and the dazzle of Palin. No wonder her ironic humour and the anecdotes about the Obama family life failed to impress and her sarcasm was taken by the media with a pinch of salt. Her untactful comment on the new found pride in the country sparked a backlash so severe that she was almost dubbed unpatriotic. Critics labelled her as arrogant, haughty cold and “angry Black woman” throughout her campaign. But this high profile lawyer, who never failed to emphasise on her working class origin to win popular sympathy gradually began to be compared to Jacqueline Kennedy for her subtle sense of style and Barbara Bush for her discipline and decorum. Was her sense of style and fashion doing all the wonders? But this change was gradual. If Michelle had initially supported her husband’s decision to run in exchange for a promise by him to quit smoking, and was a reluctant participant in his campaigns as she did not want to leave the children behind, who never had a nanny, if her impolitic, personal statements both shocked and amused people, it was for these very reasons she began to be admired. And it was on these very reasons she began to score. While other would-be-presidential wives struck to traditional, sunny, uncontroversial topics, Michelle dug on issues like education and inequality. When she joked in public how her husband cannot make beds, is smelly in mornings and never puts butter away, she did not emasculate him but helped humanize his image. Her fundamental honesty, intellect and family values enhanced Barak’s support base among women. He began to be looked upon as a down to earth family man, a loving father and caring husband, who would not risk the country to disaster. Michelle helped in de-glamorising her husband’s image which made him real, loveable and trustworthy. There seemed nothing plastic or artificial about the Obamas with which the common working class would not connect to and of course Michelle did not forget to dress in the austere black skirt and white blouse when she went on to address the not so affluent America! From caustic statements to firebrand speeches, the other Obama took time to grow. This post feminist modern woman, clever, independent, decently attractive, accessible and not plastic, fantastic and scary, confident and unassuming, she appeared to be the personification of sanity and reality with which one can identify. Michelle has not been wrongly credited with the crucial female vote in her husband’s favour including the Blacks and Hispanics, who once stood solidly for Hillary. Blacks supported her mainly for her slave background as her ancestors were slaves and Michelle made sure to make people remember this. Michelle is expected to perform as first lady with both style and substance. While her being a successful attorney would mean an effective, powerful voice in the White House corridors, there are doubts whether she would be able to reach out to the masses, would work with them, the way Hillary did. The growing emulation in America of her urbane and classy fashion sense (the big bobble pearls and immaculate and chic two pieces, despite the economic woes) may be giving the denizen of the Elysee Palace( the diva Carla!) some sleepless nights, but that fashion should not be the only thing for which she should be remembered. First Lady is not just a ceremonial title given to President’s wife. The woman who carries this mantle has to carry a yoke of responsibilities as well. If the first Lady’s inaugural attire is the matter of whole world’s curiosity, her way of conducting her ceremonial duties would be written down in history as reflections of her character and personality. Her initial changes in regard to the White House have been convincingly judicious. One of the first being her decision to keep the current Chef Cristeta Comeford, who made history as the first woman to head the White House kitchen and was appointed by Laura Bush. Michelle Obama will have to juggle many balls and wear many hats during her years in White House. But she should not forget the one strong reason which has brought her to the Presidential palace-her closeness to the common working class American. If she wants to be more than the US state head’s wife, if she wants to be more than a fashionable White House hostess, if she wants to be “The First Lady” she will have to work and work hard and not for once let go of the reasons that brought her where she is today.