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Read other letters about this article
I agree with the other posters who have appreciated that this piece is not about Michelle Obama, but about one woman's experience with issues of race and body-image.
Yes, it's rendered in a superficially frivolous way, but please, I'd urge everyone to read the piece again a bit more empathetically.
One reason race is so difficult to discuss is because it seems as if, however it's discussed hits nerves. Whether it's solemn or frivolous, matter-of-fact or ironic.
I don't disagree that on one level there's a disturbing breach of decorum going on. Yes, there's something offensive about this piece.
But that's not the sum total of what's going on here. I both cringed *and* felt warmth and a sense of catharsis.
Please, people, give the piece another chance; it's not so shallow as it appears once you get past the sensational "Michelle Obama's butt!" angle, which sensationalism may or may not be intrinsically necessary to the author's purposes.
I'm ambivalent about this piece, but it upsets me that so many are outright contemptuous. I don't believe contempt does justice to what the author is trying to express.
