Saturday
Jul112009
In Summer Stripes
Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 10:24 AM 
Photo by Jason Reed / Reuters
Visiting a hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, First Lady Mrs. O wears a delight of a dress by Sophie Theallet, from the designer's Spring Summer 2009 Collection.
tagged Sophie Theallet
Sophie Theallet
Reader Comments (120)
Well said, Willow. Well said. I had the chance to meet Donna when I worked on the Obama campaign. She is no joke! LOL She is not one to cry easily. She teared up recently talking about Michael Jackson as well.
Lord! Yesterday - the veil, the mantilla, the protocol. Today --- race issues.... PLEASE!!!!
Now, let's see.... Let's talk about ... the belt! What a difference a narrow belt makes. This white dress with a narrow belt is just really lovely and the whole ensemble looks comfortable and balanced. And yes .... Peace to all!
Operafanatic - Good point! I'm with you. I'd like to see her wearing some of those designers and fabrics here. It would elevate the African designers and introduce a whole new flavor to the repertoire.
A huge collection of photos from Ghana:
Great photos
I know some people on here hate MO's belts, but I think she is inspiring other women to wear them. In the pics posted by Willow you can see a nurse in the background with a blue belt on and another nurse standing right next to MO has a black belt on. I just thought it was a funny thing to point out. LOL!!
One of the most beautiful and flattering dresses she's ever worn. Gorgeous!
Jill Scott's "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" had a short run on HBO recently. Catch it if you can - on HBO reruns or on DVD this fall. And catch one of its main stars (Anika Noni Rose) as the voice of Princess Tiana in The Frog Princess - Disney's first animated feature showcasing a black princess. The premiere is Nov. 25th. Finally!
I'm going to swim against the tide here -- I think that the Ghana trip *would* have been a nice occasion to wear an African or African-American designer. No, I don't think MO is required to do so, nor do I think that this is indicative of a deeper snub on her part. But I just note that she wears French designers in France and is praised for doing so, and wears Italian designers in Italy and is praised for doing so, so I don't think it's so crazy or off-the-wall to suggest that this might have been a nice time to continue that trend.
That said, I very much like this dress because I like the way it references ethnic clothing (to me) without being a total copy. I think it would have looked very costumey if Mrs. O had come out wearing tribal dress. I think this dress strikes a very nice balance.
So, I like the dress, but I feel like there was an opportunity here that could have been taken. Not a big deal, though.
Looks like the wretchedly miserable Mara is still at it and of course who can miss tacky Tess who knows for a fact that Mrs O. has added 15 pounds.
In all the many years I've been on this earth I've never heard or seen so many take such liberties with the first lady of the United States.
The woman pays for her own clothes and shops in her own closet and yet we have those who insist upon prescribing, demanding and suggesting what designers she should buy and wear.
I'm sure Mrs O. will be happy to indulge you guys as soon as you or the government of the United States offer her a clothing allowance. Until then, she will wear what she has and what she pleases.
Karen Anne- The article you linked to is again another reminder of how seemingly harmless chatter can quickly turn insidious and dangerous. Many posters have warned that the potential exists if we allow it. I have stayed away from this and other blogs because I just can't stand the crappy attempt to support and allow free flowing assaults on the president and his wife all in the name of chit chat and free speech.
Believe me, if we ignored it, we would soon see the likes of such postings by some regulars on this site. At the moment they only dangerously straddle and periodically teeter on the edge.
As usual Mrs O. continues to delight, looking as beautiful, appropriate and stellar as ever. My opinion. I am no fashionista but a big believer in letting people be.
Tons of HUGE photos up on Jackeens blog of the Obama's trip, be sure not to miss them.
Ckick here to see tons of photos
Great photos from all. Many thanks!
The pictures at the castle are hard to see. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to be there. It is touching to see how close the president and MO are holding onto Malia and Sasha. They are a very touchy feely family, but this is more than that. Comfort is being offered by these very good parents. The girls look apprehensive and a little scared by the surroundings, but their body language (lots of leaning into mom and dad; not straying far) tells me that they are hanging in there.
My husband cracked me up today when he said, "Can you imagine being one of those girls on the first day of school, and your teacher says you're to write an essay on what you did on your summer vacation?" What do you suppose they would write about - one moment, or place that really stood out??
Finally, I love the pictures at the airport as they're leaving Ghana (for my money, WAY too soon). Sasha's dress is crazy cute - kind of like MO's famous pinata dress in London, but too perfect to Sasha. And does that child have on green leggings?? Adorable!
I'm posting this here, even though it's regarding a question left over from the Vatican visit. In the midst of all the veil/no veil chat, the issue of the Pope's red shoes came up. Someone asked me about the Pope's vestments, but I cannot remember who it was, or what thread. I tried, but could not find it. This was a chatty 24 hours! So, hopefully that person will see this, now that we've all moved on.
I found a treasure trove of info about his shoes, shops where all the priests and Popes purchase their garments, and a kind of general Top 10 Articles of the Papal Threads (well, okay - I'm paraphrasing). Just google "papal clothing" and settle in for a long and interesting read. Those inclined toward the historical will love it. As will the fashionistas. I confess I have "lace lust" over some of the pieces I've seen these past few days.
I want to call your attention to a photo that grabs me and won't let me go, every time I see it. It's # 22 in the first set at the Democraticunderground site, which I will link to below. (It won't be in the first set for long, as Jakeens just strings the newest ones on top every day.)
The photo shows an absolutely adorable young boy, with the most endearing and yet intense look in his eyes, holding a big photo of President Obama. Can you just imagine what all of this means to him, and the millions like him? It's great to be alive when so much history is being made by someone so amazing.
Hope
Perfect dress--has anyone seen a knockoff? :)
Long time reader, first commenter. Gotta say loved Mrs. O's wardrobe this trip. As a Ghanaian, I think she wld look stunning in our traditional clothes but there just wasnt enough time this time around for her to incorporate it in.
I have been very happy with Mrs O's wardrobe especially since she wore the same Jimmy Choo's I have in Italy with the yellow dress (which I got on sale at Saks!)
For all those commenting on the prints and outfits of the Ghanaian women, there is even more where that came from. You shd visit Ghana and snag up some custom made dresses in very lovely prints for cheap! Would be happy to be your guide :-)
Willow,
And the photo of Obama talking with the young boy that also has big ears ... in my opinion is a great one. http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Jackeens_for_Obama/448
I know that here has been some talk on this website about Michelle perhaps having another baby in the future, I do not think that will happen. I do think that perhaps there might be a possibility of the Obama's adopting a baby though in the future because their faces light up more than any other time that you see them when they are around babies. --- Just a thought.
For the folks that thought that Michelle might wear African garb while in Africa I don't get why ya'll thought that she would do that. Michelle is an AMERICAN, born in America, and she is representing America. It is a good thing to research and study the culture of ancestors in an intellectual way, but it is another thing to try to imitate them when we live in the modern world. If Michelle dressed in African clothes in her everyday life then that would be one thing but she does not, so doing so in Africa would not represent who she truly is.
Leah - Mrs. O has worn French designers in France, Italian designers in Italy, etc. So, I expected that she might wear something designed by an African designer in Africa.
I'm pleased to see Mrs. O with a belt at her natural waistline - it looks great!
Empyreal: white against that mocha skin. In all, a very good look in Ghana. This includes the form fitting dress and pearls she wore when she landed.
I like her hair swept up and the soft make-up. Your eyes are drawn to those cheekbones; cheekbones that look like they were chiseled by a sculptor.
Willow,
I went to the Sophie Theallet website and it appears that her designs are geared towards African-American women
Theallet Website
The music, style, and models seem all to be a TRIBUTE to African-Americans.
In my opinion, it is not the skin color of a person that matters but what is in their hearts and minds.
Martin Luther King Jr. said:
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
I believe that applies to fashion designers too.
They should not be judged on the color of their skin but by what they accomplish and what is in their minds and hearts.
It is time for everyone to STOP putting people in tiny little boxes and time for us to expand our minds and hearts and accept people for their accomplishments no matter of their skin color, religion, gender, and political view point.
Leah - I think you are missing the point. Theallet is a lovely designer and Mrs. O looked beautiful today. She honors African Americans by designing with them in mind and using them on the runway. That's wonderful.
But, I, personally would have enjoyed seeing Mrs. O wear a design that came out of Africa's culture, out of the African experience of the African continent, its land, its vegetation, its animals, its air, its quality of light both day and night, it's myths and traditions, etc. And yes, out of its experience and enjoyment of bright color on black skin.
I would still enjoy seeing her wear clothes designed by African designers here in the states and elsewhere. It would be great if, as someone above (my apologies for not remembering who) suggested, African designers submitted designs to Mrs. O for her consideration. I think the result could by dynamite.
Willow,
NO I am NOT missing the point.
The point IS that we are not supposed to judge ANYONE 'at all' by the color of their skin.
We should NOT be looking at the designers as to what color of their skin is 'NEVER' ... we should be looking at their character and what is in their heart.
It works both ways. If we don't want to see only designers of Caucasians dressing our first family because they are Caucasian then at the same time we MUST NOT SAY that non-Caucasians should be dressing the first family.
I am starting to have a very hard stance on this issue and my 'foot' has been put firmly on the floor.
First of all I LOVE President Obama - to me he represents ALL of America.
Secondly Michelle represents ALL of America.
The FIRST FAMILY is the first family of ALL OF AMERICA!
I believe it is time to do away with ALL segregation. I am saying ALL !!! There should not be a BET network. Why should there be a TV network called 'Black Entertainment Television' ? How would people react if there was a network called "White Entertainment Television' Network? It would not go over well at all !!! Why is there a 'Black Congressional Caucasus' in D.C ? There isn't anything called the 'White Congressional Caucasus' in D.C. Why are there the Black Music Awards ? We don't have anything called the "White Music Awards". Why is there something called the 'Black Movie Awards' ? We don't have anything called the "White Movie Awards".
It is TIME to stop all of this segregation and it is time for everyone to assimilate just like all of the other cultures assimilated in the early 1990s when other immigrates came to the USA.
That is my opinion and I am sticking to it !
@ Leah D:
Two things:
"If Michelle dressed in African clothes in her everyday life then that would be one thing but she does not, so doing so in Africa would not represent who she truly is."
Michelle is also neither Italian, nor French, but she has had no problem wearing those designers. Nor should she. I never thought she might wear "African garb." I think that this might have been an opportunity to wear clothes by an African or an African American designer.
"I believe it is time to do away with ALL segregation. I am saying ALL !!! There should not be a BET network. Why should there be a TV network called 'Black Entertainment Television' ? How would people react if there was a network called "White Entertainment Television' Network?"
This is so ridiculous that it's hard for me to address it. I would say there's no need for a "White Entertainment Television" because ALL THE REST of television is geared toward the majority. The creation of BET (as bad as BET is, don't get me wrong) was a REACTION to that fact.
But I don't think you're really trying to come at things with an open mind at all, since you've said so. So this is just for anyone else who is reading who might be inclined to think that what you are saying makes sense:
I don't believe in "assimilation." I don't believe in a world where all our differences are smoothed out into some boring beigeness. I believe in a world where our differences are celebrated and are considered a vibrant part of the American tapestry. The president and first lady can represent all of America, through their positions, and also represent a specific part of America. Why is this wrong? Should Catholics have not felt an extra bit of pride in John F. Kennedy? Should evangelical Christians not have been happy about George Bush? Why is race somehow taboo as something to be considered important?
Whether you believe it or not, what you're doing is saying to minorities is "give up everything that makes you unique, and BLEND." White people never have to blend. It's always the minorities who are told to give something up -- give up your wacky names that we can't pronounce, give up your food, give up your unique way of speaking, give up your language, give up all the things about you that make the rest of us "uncomfortable" because we don't understand it, give give give.
(And of course, every time black people try to "assimilate" into a white neighborhood, the white people all up and move away. So, let's be real here. We are still very much physically segregated in these here United States, and it sure isn't black people who are behind all of that.)
American black people have some unique cultural signifiers, just like Swedes, Irish, Italians, etc. And we are still all Americans. Just because some folks have no knowledge of what these cultural signifiers might be, or that they have deemed those elements unimportant , doesn't mean they are not valuable to the people in that ethnic group. I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But I would never tell an Irish person to give that up. Despite what anyone may wish I am still going to be an American who is proudly black. As one can be an American who is proudly of Italian heritage, an American of Irish ancestry, and all that.
That is my opinion, and I am sticking to it.
I'm not going to continue this further in this thread, though. This should be about the clothes. But if someone wants to open a thread in chat that's cool.
I don't know if Ghana would be he place to do it, but I'd love to see Mrs. O in African fabrics.
Leah,
I can see why there's a BET. When I was an engineering student, women engineers at the school had their own group. We even had a room set aside for us for class breaks at the requests of an alumna who forked out for it, since it was the only place we weren't ogled at and could relax.
Minorities or other groups who have been kept lower on the totem pole need/want support groups legitimately. And when Congress as a whole pays attention to Black, women's etc. issues, those caucuses can go away. Not until.
Christina,
I do not know where to begin.
One of my points was there is NOT a TV network called "WHITE ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION NETWORK' - I do understand that BET was created so that there would be an alternative but the fact that it is 'called' " Black Entertainment Television' is VERY offensive. Does the AA community see how divisive this is? Especially when the 'Caucasian' community is trying its best to be inclusive ?
As far as ' assimilation' -- my family came to America in the late 1890s from Italy - they were made to ASSIMILATE into the American culture. Back then there wasn't any bi-lingual signs, literature, etc. My grandfather went to work in a glass factory at the age of 8 years old and never had the opportunity to finish grade school. He learned how to speak English and helped my great-grandparents get along here in the USA. My great-grandfather died from black lung working in the coal mines.
The neighborhood that I grew up in (in my grandparent's house) had people from Ireland, Germany, Lebanon, Italy, France, Mexico, and Russia. Everyone DID assimilate and considered themselves AMERICANS. Everyone thought of themselves as being an AMERICAN not as a person with a HYPHEN in their name. I grew up in that neighborhood in the 1960s and 1970s. It wasn't until probably that I personally heard folks -- from n the media that people wanted to be considered something with a HYPHEN in their name -- and those folks were the African-Americans and Mexican-Americans. I will admit that I, this day, do consider myself an Italian-American but that was not how it was in the old days... it was only 'after' I saw that other folks wanted to separate themselves from the general population.
I think all of this is wrong. Anyone living in the USA should just be Americans. There is too much divisiveness in the United States. I do think that the 'white' folks have changed their attitudes and in 'most' places in the USA have become accepting of all races, genders, religions, etc. but of course there are places that have not. BUT on the other hand when 'groups' of people push the idea of separatism it is more harmful than good. Like I said before.. there shouldn't be Black groups of such and such or White groups of such and such .. we should all acknowledge that we are ALL Americans and be done with it. If anyone thinks that they are 'better' because they are Italian, German, African, HIspanic, etc. then they are free to hop on a plane and head on back to their ancestral county and have a go of it over there. And I should say that I am NOT saying that people 'should' go back to their country of origin.... because I have gone back to my county of origin and tried to start up new roots and it is a hard thing to do ... but anyone that wishes to should go ahead and have the opportunity to do so.
Karen Anne,
Yes I understand that there was a need for separate support groups in the past ... but I think the time has come that people need to come together and put an end to the separate groups now. Now when - let's say 'white folks' (which is hard for me to type) are really in the most part trying to be all inclusive are really trying their best .. and then they see that other groups - Hispanics and African-Americans want their own separate groups ... well it just doesn't make sense.
Well I must say at least to me it doesn't make sense. I am Italian-American, my next door neighbor is from Mexico, my best friend is white and married to an African-American and their daughter (my godchild is bi-racial) WE ARE ALL AMERICANS. I have taken a lot of heat on this website before when I said that I don't see color ..... and I really did mean it - because I have so many people in my life from all walks of life and to me they are friends and family and their skin color and country of origin really do NOT matter to me. I am really sick of the racial divides that seem to still matter to some people in our society.
@Leah D:
"Does the AA community see how divisive this is? Especially when the 'Caucasian' community is trying its best to be inclusive ?"
Please, please, please don't get this wrong. I beg of you, because I would like to think you and I have much more in common than we have differences. The "Caucasian community" should be NO MEANS be patting itself on the back about how 'inclusive" it is. It is not. Let me be crystal clear. The "Caucasian community" is NOT inclusive, and NOT welcoming to minorities.
Now, I'm not talking about you personally....I'm sure you're a lovely person. I'm not talking about anyone here, personally, because I don't know any of you that way. But every day, in ways large and small, I see examples of how the "Caucasian comnunity" separates and "otherizes" people who don't look and act like they believe Americans *should* act.
A couple of days ago, we had a private pool in Philadelphia decide to throw out a bunch of black kids whose summer camp had paid for the pool's services. The summer camp paid, the kids came, they said that people were saying "why are all these black kids here?" and the kids were told to leave. Then the club gave them back their money. The private club's president said that having the kids would change the "complexion" of the club.
This happened a couple of DAYS ago. If this is a group trying it's "best" to be inclusive, I'd hate to see how things would look if they weren't trying at all.
I am trying hard not to speak so unequivocally and aggressively on this site, because I've been criticized for it, and I agree, it's unpleasant to read. But I have to say: if you really think that racism is over, and that all the racial conflict in this country is caused by black people being too separatist, and that the creation of BET is the most offensive racial thing you can think of, you don't know what you're talking about. You really don't. And we probably shouldn't speak more on this topic, because our perceptions of reality are too far apart.
But I'd be happy to continue talking about clothes and the first family's travel schedule. I think that's probably safer.
One point about BET. Back when I was growing up the ONLY place one could see music videos by black muscians like Prince and Michael Jackson was BET. MTV refused to play any music videos by blacks until they saw they could make a dime off of Michael Jackson. Without BET many black musicians would not have a place to get airplay. So what are black people supposed to do, sit and WAIT for white acceptance. Or create your own television shows and music video stations. BET was not created to be seperate...it was created to give us a VOICE that was not recognized by de facto white stations like MTV. MTV did not have WHITE in it's title but when I was growing up MTV = white.
Wow, this is a very complex topic, and I agree that it would be perfect for the discussion board, probably better than here.
But I do have just two things to add as long as we're on the topic.
A couple of years ago, I read the novel "The Lathe of Heaven" by Ursula LeGuin. The main character, George, is Caucasian, and he has an ongoing relationship--through all of the science fiction-type cataclysmic changes that occur--with a "brown" woman. At one point in the novel, everyone--black, white, and all the others--change to a homogeneous shade of gray. Now as a Caucasian myself, I thought, "Wow, that sounds like a perfect world--does away with all those pesky differences that cause division among us." BUT it doesn't work well in the novel; everyone feels that instead of solving problems of discrimination, it just takes away all the things that make each person unique. Without her brown skin, the woman George loves has lost her unique charm. In discussion with students, I always bring up this part of the novel to get their reactions, and the response is unanimous that this would not be an appealing world; they agree that our differences, with all the problems that result from them, are also what make the world interesting and create cultural richness.
I also have a long-time black colleague who came originally from North Carolina; and since he refuses to fly, he often makes the long car trip from South Florida to North Carolina to visit family and friends. He told me just a couple of years ago that there are certain areas along that route where black drivers just know they shouldn't stop--not for a meal or coffee or a motel stay. My mouth was hanging open the whole time he was telling me this. I kept saying NO, NOT in the 21st century!!! But he assured me that racial bias and "otherness" are still very much alive EVEN in the 21st century.
I don't claim to know the answers, but I am sooooooooo excited that we have a president who is taking such a dignified and intelligent approach to at least addressing the issues.
Christina,
I am very sad that you have used the private pool in Philadelphia incident to illustrate your point. That was one incident in 'one part' of the USA' that does not really represent how the rest of the USA feels in my opinion.
To quote you " The "Caucasian community" is NOT inclusive, and NOT welcoming to minorities" perhaps that is how you see it in your neck of the woods, but that is not how it is where I live, and if that is how you really think then I can only say that I am sorry that your feel that way.
Goodnight.. Ciao!
Since Christina speaks as a black woman, I don't think it's fair to tell her that her personal experiences are not "how it is." Obviously she knows.
And the Philadelphia pool incident is significant (in my Caucasian opinion) since it clearly demonstrates that there is some residual racism still alive and needing only the right trigger to bring it to the surface.
Just a few years ago, one of my black friends became engaged to a white man. At a party where some people were present who had not yet met the fiance, one of our long-time colleagues was eager to meet him. When he discovered that the man is white and that this was a "mixed" relationship, he never approached the fiance to introduce himself, and he didn't speak to our black friend for the rest of the evening. Of course, all of these are just isolated incidents, but I've seen them often enough to know that we still have a long way to go.
Whats Obama lokin at?
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Most-Recommended-Photos/ss/1750
If anyone wishes to continue the race discussion, I've just started a thread on the discussion board.
Kris Kath,
It appears to me that he's looking at the ground. Get your mind out of the gutter.
" That was one incident in 'one part' of the USA' that does not really represent how the rest of the USA feels in my opinion."
Oh my goodness gracious. I have a feeling that if I gave you 50 more examples, which I could, you would just counter them with "well, that's not how the rest of the USA feels." Please. Every example I come up with is "wrong," while you throw around BET as if you are being *forbidden* from watching BET. Watch all the BET you want! It's not being kept from you or hidden from you, like this pool was kept from those kids.
You aren't interested in what I'm saying. You haven't really addressed any of the points I've made in any of my far too-lengthy posts here, even though I'm trying to address yours. You've stated your opinion time and again, so, I get it. Let's just talk about the stuff we agree on -- clothing. It'll make everything much nicer.
MsG,
I am sure that Christina knows that she does not speak for all African-Americans just like I do not speak for all Italian-Americans. And since the 'U.S. Census says I am Caucasian, which I take issue with - I DO NOT SPEAK FOR ALL CAUCASIANS --- I speak ONLY for myself. If I am wrong about that then I am sure that Christina will let us know about it. Your comment really came out of the blue and slapped me in my face and I really do not appreciate it one bit. I did not say that the 'pool' incident was insignificant or that it was not important. I do think though that it is not representative of how many communities in our nation would think or respond. Perhaps I might be naive but this is how I THINK and HOW I AM. No one ever said that there isn't still some racism in America so I really do not see what your point is. I know that there isn't any racism in MY HOUSE and that is really all I can really attest to.
I must say though that I am getting really fed up with all the racist innuendo and separatist comments on this website and I am starting to wonder who it is that is promoting the hate --- in my opinion it is probably republican conservatives that are trying to stir the pot here.
@kriskath re: "Whats Obama lokin at?"
Let's clear this up right now, he is being the perfect gentleman he is known to be. Click the link below that clearly shows that.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/07/when-in-rome.html
then make sure you read this
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/opinion/07brooks.html
But here's the thing, Leah -- you're taking what is true IN YOUR HOUSE (which I certainly will not argue against, not knowing you) and extrapolating that to the rest of the country. And I'm just trying to tell you that this pie-in-the-sky raceless assimiliated world that you're dreaming of does not exist, and I'm not sure it should ever exist.
Did I say that every white person is racist? Absolutely not. I am telling the truth, which is that this idea that 'the Caucasian community" is bending over to be inclusive is a falsehood. Your worldview, as expressed in this thread, isn't even trying to be inclusive of my worldview. All you're offering me is an patronizing "I feel sorry that you feel that way" statement, as if I'm some kind of child or a fool. I'm supposed to feel that is "inclusive" of you, that you are dismissing me?
Please don't worry about feeling sorry about the way I "feel," my feelings aren't hurt and I don't need your pity or anyone else's. LISTEN TO ME. RESPECT ME. That's what I want. I think that we are all owed that as humans until we offer a reason for people to think otherwise. And we can't even approach "inclusiveness" if we aren't listening and responding to each other.
Kris Kath,
You can take that business to another site. We here are interested in fashion and the lovely Mrs O. There are other sites to spew your hatred. I am LIVID that you would bring that here. Perhaps you would like to take a gander at the video that shows President O being chivalrous and helping the other young woman from the steps. The small view that you and like minded people like you who chose to denegrate a happily married man is such a bother. Next you'll be attacking his daughter for the t-shirt she wore in Italy. Mrs T. I thought since the comments were going into moderation that this would put a stop to these kinds of things. I come here to see "what and who she's wearing" not innuendo.
I need to point out how well that President Obama shows empathy and more importantly, validation to others. That is what everyone wants no matter what their race. I really appreciate both Leah D (in what she says she is doing within her household and within her realm of friends and family as well as her neighborhood) and Christina's opinions (her own experience and others she knows). But the only way to move on from painful experiences is to put ourselves in another's situation fully and then truly educate ourselves about others' real and true stories and validate them. When individuals and groups are validated, progress can be made. President Obama is one of the few in the public arena that understands this, he does this when meeting other leaders from Latin America, Russia, etc....he always validates others' grievances and then dialogue, instead of overheated discussions, can be made.
Leah D and Christina, I appreciate both of your opinions....but Christina has to know the experience firsthand and I know several AA that relate the same. It's the day-to-day experiences that many others may not be aware of because you're not wearing the same skin as someone else. It doesn't have to be a major event on TV, it's an experience that must not be discounted. Yes, things are better than they used to be, but that's not good enough. Even if we know 20 people that are inclusive, there are millions more that do not behave as well as our family and friends do....that is the reality for many AA and other minorities.
Enough from me....I shall resume back to fashion...peace and love everyone!
Beautiful image and such a meaningful opportunity to wear Sophie Theallet who has been very committed to African and Afro-American models for many years. Note that Mrs. O was wearing Sophie Theallet for the unveiling of the bust of Sojourner Truth at the White House and again for a trip in Ghana where Barack Obama was giving an historic speech. Are these coincidences? Everything leads to think that Mrs. O carefully choses her clothes not only on an esthetic level but also on a symbolic one. A very political fashion statement! Congrats to Sophie Theallet. This is very inspiring for the fashion world. Here is a link to President Obama speech in Ghana:
http://www.startribune.com/politics/50535417.html
I was thinking about this yesterday that Mrs. O shops like I do - once you find something you like, you buy it in all the colors! (Moschino blouse in black and white, Sophie Theallet dress in black and white)
I do that more with shoes, because my feet are kinda wacky. If something feels good, I go with it.
@Christina---I do the same thing but I can go overboard if someone doesn't stop me. I can buy the same style in tons of different colors with purses, shoes, you name it. I'm glad she got the Theallet dress in white, because it is truly beautiful.
But that habit gets me in a fashion rut sometimes, and a friend has to remind me of it. Even if the look is good, I like to branch out but I can be a trance and overbuy something I really like at times.
That Other Mimi,
Believe it or not there was 'life' going on before MTV.
We had Soul Train, American Bandstand, and The Ed Sullivan Show just to name a few of the shows that showcased musical artists.
Christina,
Regarding your comment of Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I apologize that you took my comment as dismissive of you, as pity, or patronizing because it was not at all meant that way.
Perhaps you did not 'hear' what I was actually saying.
I suppose as long as you are not open to hear the true meaning of my words then there is no use in my even trying to express my self here.
I honestly do not know how to look at this type of attitude or 'world view' because the people that surround me in my life seem to look at each person (and me) as an individual and not as a person that represents a 'group' of people. I give up. You win. I will not waste my time anymore trying to express 'my reality' since apparently that doesn't count for squat around here.
Until people start dealing with each other as 'unique individuals' I don't see how anything will improve.
Happy Sunday everyone, ciao!