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Ever heard of her? I thought not. All of you who think Ms. Kaplan's article is...well, whatever dumb things people have said about the article (I only skimmed - knowing exactly what the comments would be - Salon commenters are so predictable) should hear the story of the Hottentot Venus.
In the early 19th century, Sarah Baartman, a young, black, South African woman was paraded across Europe as a freak-show attraction. She was forced to display, among other things, her large buttocks for the amusement and ridicule of white Europeans. Sarah Baartman died a penniless prostitute at age 26. According to a BBC News article from 2002, Sarah Baartman has become an icon for South African women who still suffer abuse and exploitation.
Anyone who thinks Ms. Kaplan's article is just fluff and frivolity knows nothing. Knows nothing about the abuse and exploitation suffered by black women in this country and elsewhere. Knows that only very, very recently have we come to a place where we can look at Michelle Obama and say, there is a beautiful woman! Sarah Baartman was famous in her time because she was considered a freak, ugly. Isn't it wonderful that we can look at a woman like Michelle Obama and say - here is this woman of African descent (big butt and all) who we think is beautiful! And, even more important, not only do we see Michelle Obama's physical beauty, we see and appreciate everything she is: an intelligent, very capable professional, an equal partner in her marriage, a mother, sister, a sister, a daughter. Sarah Baartman was nothing but an object, an other to those who exploited her. From Sarah Baartman to Michelle Obama...amazing!
