Michelle Obama. - Photo: Obama for America

This is article one of a two part series reflecting upon Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain. As an American woman I have always looked to the First Lady of the United States as a role model. A role she chooses when she supports her husband in politics and helps him take the Whitehouse. This year American women almost had for the first time a female to pick for President, but as that slipped through our fingers we are now back to looking at how the First Lady will represent women and America. Currently we are faced with two choices, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain. These two women who have been revered and faulted in their lives, and it is important to look at them. John McCain and Barack Obama have asked that people "lay off" of their wives, and as a woman I think that is very unfair to ask. Their wives are not just some arm candy, the consequences of having them in the office of First Lady are quite real. Typically First Ladies have guided the home front policies on human interests, from participating in charities, to environmental concerns. They take up the role for an entire nation, what a housewife did for her community. It is of my opinion that the First Lady needs as highly scrutinized as the President. "The true worth of a race must be measured by the character of its womanhood" (Mary McLeod Bethune). I beleive the same could be said for a country. Michelle Obama has had to endure much scrutiny in the past months as she has taken up campaigning for her husband Barack Obama. Her controversial statements, her past, and her current impression of America turns me completely off from her as a potential First Lady. I do not think she has what it takes to represent American women. However, it is important to note the good and the bad within context to evaluate her appropriately. We have all heard of her saying for the first time in her adult life she was proud of her country. One of the first controversies drummed up by Michelle Obama. Many Americans were offended by this statement. While America is not perfect, anyone who is not proud of thier country is hardly qualified to represent it. Other reasons I dislike Michelle Obama is her color coated vision of America. While the "whitey" rumor turned out to be unsubstantiated, that does not take away what fueled the fire. Michelle's Princeton Thesis coupled with her choice in church and other statements have pegged her as someone who is very race oriented. I keep in mind that Michelle studied Sociology as her major at Princeton and African American studies as a minor, so her thesis " Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community" definitely addresses her chosen field of study. That she wrote the paper does not bother me, as much as some of the content and her expectations. The paper is about the racial divide at Princeton, part of her Thesis she sent out 400 surveys to black Alumni and received only 90 back. Their responses disappointed her. Politico.com that has a copy of the thesis reports:

Just under 90 alums responded to the questionnaires (for a response rate of approximately 22 percent) and the conclusions were not what she expected. "I hoped that these findings would help me conclude that despite the high degree of identification with whites as a result of the educational and occupational path that black Princeton alumni follow, the alumni would still maintain a certain level of identification with the black community. However, these findings do not support this possibility."

Why were the findings less than hoped for? Michelle Obama's thesis revolves around the unique culture of the black community and how black Princeton alumni identify with blacks and whites. Here are some other quotes that bothered me.

"My experiences at Princeton have made me more aware of my "Blackness" than ever before. I have found that no matter how liberal or open-minded some of my White professors or classmates might try to be towards me, I sometimes feel like a visitor on campus; as if I really don't belong."

While at first glance this seems like a harmless self reflection, I find it a bit disconcerting. I really have to question how much of her perceptions are reality and how much are manifestation of her expectation that whites would not accept her. In the 1980's there was still racism for sure, but it still makes me wonder.

"At the same time, however, it is conceivable that my four years of exposure to a predominately White, Ivy League University has instilled within me certain conservative values. For Example, as I enter my final year at Princeton, I find myself striving for many of the same goals as my white classmates--acceptance to a prestigious graduate or professional school or a high paying position in a successful corporation."

Michelle Obama mentions this as an example of how being around whites has changed her to assimilate into the culture, a culture of which she feels perched on the fringe. My primary concern is why she does not identify success, a high paying job, and aspirations of this success as something in the black community. It paints a picture that her perception of the black community is a bit patronizing. She mentions many times that she has an obligation to help the black community, those of a lower class in the black community. Just my thoughts here, but would you not be able to help others better if you have a high paying job? Her impression of the black community seems to leave a bad taste in my mouth. These two comments are found in the introduction, they are some of the most personal statements in her Thesis. While these opinions were formed in college, her recent statements lend me to believe she has not moved past this very divisive mindset. Michelle and Barack Obama gave around $60,000 to charity in 2006, about 6 percent of their total income. The money largely benefited Trinity United Church. In 2007 they gave about 1% of their income to charities at the cost of $240,000. Call me cynical, but I feel that if someone is hellbent on raising our taxes they should pony up more cash than that. Mrs. Obama has helped develop and head two charities, one called Public Allies - Chicago that helps young people develop skills for future careers in the public sector. The website describes the demographics of this programs as such.

Everyone leads… and we walk the talk. Our Allies are ages 18 to 30, and over 84% are people of color, 8% are LGBT, and 54% are college graduates. Allies are of and for our local community, and they share a deep commitment to strengthening Chicago.

From the Obama Campaign Website:

Michelle began her involvement with the University of Chicago in 1996. As associate dean of student services, she developed the University's first community service program. Michelle also served as executive director of community and external affairs until 2005, when she was appointed vice president of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She also managed the business diversity program.

Michelle has fostered the University of Chicago's relationship with the surrounding community and developed the diversity program, making them both integral parts of the Medical Center's mission.

Part of her job at the University of Chicago is to persuade low income people seeking treatment at the ER to seek treatment at a local public doctor. Some people have scrutinized this program saying it does not really help the lower income people. One thing is for sure, the more people who do not seek treatment at an ER for non emergency reasons, the cheaper it is Michelle Obama has been an advocate for minorities groups. I feel that is wonderful for anyone to be a spokesperson for minority groups. However, as the First Lady she is going to have to branch out from just addressing diversity in the sense that there needs to be more "people of color" represented , and start advocating for all people in America. Start advocating for real diversity where everyone who has the drive to be a leader, be successful, or just needs a hand up, no matter what color they are. Now we can look at Michelle Obama's style. Yes style and presentation are important when you are showing the world about American women. I find Michelle Obama's style frumpy, and I feel that comparing her to Jackie O is insulting. She always looks just a bit unkempt. Her attempt to mimic the Jakie O hair style has completely failed. On a final note, Michelle told Vanity Fair, “What you see on the trail is probably who I will be as first lady, because that’s really who I am.”