Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: buccaneer81
Facial expression when she gets emotional. That has nothing to do with race.

And no white (or green) women get similar expressions? Why no Wicked Witch of the West comparisons with Michelle? Does Hillary really look anything like that witch?

The problem with using Aunt Esther, even if the comparison has some merit on appearance and is entirely innocent of racism, is that the other thing the two women clearly have in common is race and, further, Aunt Esther comes with a whole baggage train of black stereotypes that come along for the ride, as well as being a fairly unflattering comparison in general . It's like finding a picture of Evita Peron with a similar expression to one in a picture of Sarah Palin and posting them side-by-side. Perhaps the expression is similar but the other woman comes with a lot of baggage.

As for the argument that both Aunt Esther and Michelle Obama are "angry women" (I'll ignore the "angry black women" angle for now), the general public is not convinced that Michelle Obama is an angry woman, so that leaves them seeing only one comparison. Both women are black.

221 posted on 07/10/2009 12:01:52 PM PDT by Question_Assumptions
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 197 | View Replies ]


To: Question_Assumptions
As for the argument that both Aunt Esther and Michelle Obama are "angry women" (I'll ignore the "angry black women" angle for now), the general public is not convinced that Michelle Obama is an angry woman, so that leaves them seeing only one comparison. Both women are black.

*****************

Since the "angry women" comment was mine, I think I'll respond.

If you were to use an image to poke fun at Palin, would you use an image of a white woman or a black woman? I'd use an image of a white woman, because Palin is white.

I'm all for not taking aim at children, but unless the owner of this site makes it clear that poking fun at the opposition is unacceptable, I'm not going into the business of denying reality.

234 posted on 07/10/2009 12:23:11 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 221 | View Replies ]

To: Question_Assumptions
"The problem with using Aunt Esther, even if the comparison has some merit on appearance and is entirely innocent of racism, is that the other thing the two women clearly have in common is race "

Michelle Obama is compared to Aunt Esther for two reasons, one the their similar expressions and the second is that Michelle is considered by many to have a similar demeanor.... This comparsion would not have been as effective with any other woman.. Anything perceived to be negative will be attached, adhere to the standards set by this forum and be prepared to DEFEND them. There is no problem with the comparison, there may be a problem with how it is presented.... Such as foul abusive language.

236 posted on 07/10/2009 12:24:16 PM PDT by Peter Horry (Never were abilities so much below mediocrity so well rewarded - John Randolph)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 221 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson