Letters posted here are associated with the following Salon Premium Member:

Bupalos

Published Letters: 1

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:05 AM
Original article: Isn't she lovely?

Feminism thy name is Michelle

The respondents and parts of this article that cast this "lovely Michelle" in some kind of opposition to the ambitious high achiever, as if these are permanent "either-or" kind of propositions, are part of an old feminist dynamic that is dying.

Michelle is incredibly bright and talented. Michelle is a fighter. Michelle can make a lot of money. Michelle can wrap a crowd around her finger. Michelle is a mother. Michelle quit work to stay home and bake cookies and instill her children with good values. Michelle kicks ass. Michelle is kind of hot.

People who don't believe in the idea of these kinds of combinations --or who don't believe they can be authentic-- still force women into boxes. The article, while favorable, has a clear flavor of "this is what Michelle pretended to be to win over the regular white people, how clever." Maybe this is what Michelle is? Or is that just not possible in your world?

Most Active Letters Threads

530

Do Obama officials know what his Afghanistan plan is?

What explains the completely contradictory statements from key aides on a central plank of the war strategy?
128

Is my kids making me not smart?

Stay-at-home fatherhood dulls my intellect to a nub. Excuse me while I ponder the subtext of "Hippos Go Berserk"
127

I live in a van down by Duke University

How do I afford grad school without going into debt? A '94 Econoline, bulk food and creative civil disobedience
126

Trig, the anti-abortion straw baby

Sarah Palin's son is being used to demonize pro-choicers
113

I survived Glenn Beck's Christmas spectacular

The preposterous showman brings his holiday book, and waterworks, to the stage and screen. Lights! Camera! Jesus!

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon