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)
Leah - You brought out those very same arguments about BET, etc. some time back, the exact same. I was the one who called you out for what seemed like either the veiled or unconscious racism of your statements.
We need to keep alive all the variety and texture we've got left in this America tapestry. Too much of the uniqueness of places has disappeared. Too much of America has become all the same with the same big box stores everywhere, the same culture everywhere.
We need to keep supporting and encouraging the unique culture of every group that makes up this unique experiment. There must continue to be the celebration of black culture, hispanic culture, Native America culture, Italian culture, Polish culture, Irish culture, etc. Most of us don't want to experience the bland grayness of Ursula LaGuin's characters.
Racism exists everywhere in this society. It is everywhere in our media, sometimes overt, sometimes veiled, but present, in references to our President and first family.
Have you not read that white supremacist groups are on the rise since President Obama was elected? Have you not seen the increased racism by those who fear that we will no longer be a "white" country because we have chosen a black president? Do you not recognize that the backlash against hispanic immigrants is very much about race? Population projections show that by the year 2040 or so, at current rates of birth and immigration, whites in this country will be in the minority? This is sending some white people over the edge with fear.
When whites are the minority, and power is held more and more by people of color, should whites be denied a White Entertainment Network?
Leah, it seems that the recognition of black culture through uniquely black awards shows and BET, etc., upsets you on some level. It might be interesting for you to look in the mirror to see why that is.
Leah,
I didn't mean my comment to be a slap in anyone's face, and I regret that you took it that way. I just thought since you and Christina were having your discussion in a public forum that others were free to participate, and I happen to have some strong opinions on the subject. You're to be applauded for your prejudice-free household; mine is also. But I've lived long enough and listened to others enough to know that not all households are like ours. We still have a long way to go, and I'm very grateful to people like Christina who are willing to speak out on their personal experiences.
As far as I'm concerned, you can *have* BET. The existence of BET is far from the pinnacle of achievement for black people. BET is an absolute joke among my peers.
That said, I think it'd be worth knowing something about BET, and maybe even watching some of it, and -- here's a thought -- talking to some black people about the network (we are *not* all glued to it) before continually throwing it out there as an example anything at all, really. The Black Entertainment Television/"White Entertainment Television" argument is such a red herring. If BET is such a huge problem and the biggest racist thing happening today, take it up with white-owned Viacom; they're the company that runs it.
Like the dress .MRs O & Mr O are very "trendy" and Sophie theallet simply fabulous ! Nuff respect !
It seems that we are now in a race discussion predicated on why First Lady Michelle Obama chose to wear a dress by a Non-African American. I believe Sophie is someone who seeks inspiration of her designs from the continent of Africa. She also chooses more African as well as African-American models for her catalogues as well as runways. I do not take offense by Mrs. Obama’s choice, because of these three factors :
1) She has worn an African-American design by Stevie Wonder’s wife, which was featured by Mrs. Obama on one of the most popular AMERICAN magazines “People”,
2) She also wore another one of her designs, that gorgeous green gown that I LOVE, for the Stevie Wonder event at the Whitehouse, and
3) It’s her choice !! She is not a doll whom we can dictate as to what SHE FEELS comfortable wearing. We can switch gears and ask why did Laura Bush wear Oscar de la Renta and not female designers. Does this signify her snubbing women ? (Of course not) We can ask the same question of Jackie Kennedy. Why do we hold Mrs. Obama to a standard that no other First Lady has ever had to endure ? This is very unfair in my opinion. At least Mrs. Obama is showcasing that you don’t have to choose the most famous designer, in order to find someone who represents your personal style. As well as stimulating the businesses of these ”unknown designers”, whom no one would have recognized in the fashion world in the first place, which I feel could be viewed as discriminatory. In looking at the totality of Mrs. Obama’s choices as a whole, she should be applauded for adding notoriety to these unknown designers, whether you like their fashions or not. I believe that these things I have stated above have been lost in this whole thread......
And lest we forget her choice to wear Gap and J. Crew !!! By the way, I went looking at every J. Crew store in my city and could not find that lovely yellow skirt. ARRRGH (Upsetness)
Lastly, regarding the comments over why we have a BET network, I wish that we did not have to segregate ourselves in the media, but this is where we are currently as country. May I make a suggestion, please post this on a discussion board, and then we can all share our thoughts and experiences on this subject. As Obama stated in his famous speech in Philadelphia, “We strive for a more perfect union”. We have all had various experiences in life in dealing with racism as well as sexism. Until you have walked in someone else’s shoes, please refrain from judgement.
I really enjoy this blog, and look forward to more vigorous discussions in the future. Posted by a Human-American who loves the Mrs. O Blog :-)
Leah -
I believe I owe you an apology. In writing the following over at the chat board on racism, I think I got into where you might be coming from.
I wrote:
"Another fear on the part of whites is more complex, I believe. Whites have committed horrible crimes against people of color for centuries. They have used, belittled, and trampled them in every way conceivable. I think that white people who hold the reigns of power fear that if people of color get too much power, they will do to whites what whites have done to them. It's merely the projection of their own attitudes and behavior onto whoever might hold power.
It takes a complete paradigm shift to get people to think inclusively about everyone working together to share power and resources with everyone else, and to understand that the denial of any group ultimately hurts the whole."
I think you are coming from a place where you have made the paradigm shift in your personal life, and that's wonderful. You seem to believe that by eliminating all differences, we can have a harmonious and peaceful world. But I think that in your desire for that peaceful world, you are blind to the divisiveness and racism that still exists. And you think that racism can be eliminated by erasing all differences, and all groups that identify themselves as being for blacks, browns, reds, women, etc.
But, I believe that the elimination of racism requires the elevation and embracing of the differences. No one should have to give up what makes them and their group unique in order to be included equally.
I apologize for accusing you of being racist, consciously or unconsciously.
I just think that your approach to eliminating racism, which you seem to take with a desire that is beyond reproach, actually feels like racism to others, because it asks them to deny who they are.
Leah -
I apologize to everyone for carrying this on here, but I want to be clear about what I think is correct.
I apologize to you, Leah, for basically implying that you are racist, either on a conscious or unconscious level.
I believe that I now understand that you are beyond reproach in your desire to see racism eliminated.
But I think you make two mistakes in your approach to getting there:
1) In your desire to eliminate racism, you chose to deny just how much racism actually exists in this country, and that feels racist to those hearing your denials -- at least to me.
2) Your approach to getting beyond racism asks that cultural differences be eliminated, which also feels racist to those hearing it -- at least to me.
I hope you will accept my apology and consider the feedback I offer you about your approach.
Mara,
Michelle has every right to select designers of her choice; however, I agree that it would be awesome if some of our creative African-American designers were occasionally highlighted. She has been instrumental in providing designers such as Narciso Rodriguez, Sonia Rykiel, Jason Wu, Maria Pinto, Lavin, Thakoon, Isabel Toledo and the list goes on and on with insurmountable recognition. Our African-American designers are just as talented and just as deserving of the free publicity and financial benefits that others are receiving.
I am guilty of dashing to the internet to surf for the J. Crew, Talbots, GAP, Puma, Liz Claiborne and other reasonably priced items that she is photographed wearing. Ironically, today on Sunday Morning the president of J. Crew, Mickey Drexler, was highlighted; not one Africa-American employee was shown in the corporate headquarters (yes, I know they highlighted an AA model for the spring collection). J. Crew’s stock along with their profits is up compared to other retail chains for the year. I know for a fact that several of my friends that would, once upon a time, would hurriedly walk past J Crew are now making purchases.
African-Americans have a buying power of over 800 billion in the United States alone. If Michelle does not choose to wear designs by African-American designers at this time, for everyone concerned let’s do our part. Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows, Tracey Reese (which she has been photographed wearing), Nathalie Konan and Everette Hall are waiting for our purchases.
Leah D.
Having a white designer have a collection that is geared towards African-American women and being designed by an African-American are two different thing. Justin Timberlake may try to sound like and African-American; however, he is only trying to capitalize on our style and sound.
African-Americans need to to captilize on our style.
Perfect dress for the occasion. I'm glad that Mrs. O has found her groove and is not deviating from it. Another website noted that her stylist went on this trip with them.
Whoever recommended the July 6 column by David Brooks, thank you! I subscribe to the Times, but missed this one even though I'm a complete David Brooks groupie.
My husband contends the Republican Brooks is fighting his "inner Democrat," and maybe he is. All I know is he's brilliant, and has an open mind that extends far beyond party affiliation. Personally, I hope Brooks stays affiliated with the Republican party, as he is a voice of reason and dispassion at a time when the party can use it. (I would say this just as strongly if the political shoe were on the other foot in this case. Neither party is covering itself with glory right now in terms of playing well with others.)
Anyway - thanks!
Stunning dress on Mrs O - how radiant does she look!
Leah D,
I agree with Christina. We are a long way from equality on many fronts. (Just the other day I was reading an interview with Ruth Bader Ginsberg in which she said she still experiences the thing where she makes a suggestion, it's ignored, then one of the male judges says it and the others think it's sliced bread.)
Meanwhile, the white community can suck it up :-) Any discomfort they feel pales in comparison to what has to be remedied even now.
Not only is Mrs. O's dress gorgeous, but I love the pieces the other two women are wearing. Together it creates such a nice ensemble-pic!
"Authorized", fashion has never been so open, fluid and accepting of a range of styles, colors, patterns and cultures! Why? Well, I guess that's open to volumes of books for debate but no doubt it has to do with developments of the past decade-from intersections of geopolitics to brave fashion forward icons, including people such as Sarah J. Parker (& shows such as Sex and the City) and now, of course, our First Lady.
I think these are truly special sartorial times I hope there will be no "regression" to silly orthodoxies.
SD
ps-lest you think I think it's 100% rosy ;) let me express my advocacy for a) the demise of the A line (I don't like looking pregnant...when I'm not) and b) the resurrection of the high waist jean (which I have been wearing...I CANNOT handle the unfortunate derriere cleavage that comes with all other jean cuts).
What I love about Michele Obama and women like her is that they are NOT afraid to be themselves and they are very confident in their OWN style and not someone elses :)))
Another beautiful and historical moment:) She looks great-- a natural beauty!
"(Just the other day I was reading an interview with Ruth Bader Ginsberg in which she said she still experiences the thing where she makes a suggestion, it's ignored, then one of the male judges says it and the others think it's sliced bread.)" Karen Anne
Ah. Important word in there: male. This happens to me all the time. And to my female friends and colleagues. Of all colours! Since I pointed it out to my husband he's noticed that it happens to all his female colleagues on a regular basis. There's even a British comedienne who did a run of sketches with a woman coming up to a group of guys who were failing to find a solution to a problem (keys locked in car), and she would make a suggestion (tennis ball, cut in half, whack it against the lock, pressure forces the lock up), and they don't hear her. Half a minute later one of the lads suggests cutting a tennis ball in half. Cos, it you put it against the lock and hit it.....
There's a very good book called "Talking From 9 to 5, Women and Men at Work" by linguistics professor Deborah Tannen. It was a HUGE relief to me to read it. I thought it was just me but it turns out it's a boy way of communicating. Reading the book doesn't stop it happening, but it does stop me wanting to kill the men I'm dealing with, with my bare hands, at the boardroom table.
You may be interested to know that a Hindu friend of mine says that of all the men she's dealt with at home, in her (huge) family, at Uni and at work (she's an accountant), the worst for this are young asian males. Who we now refer to as YAMs.
Just to add a point here - I talked to quite a few women of my acquaintance last night. Black, white, brown. They all have this happen to them all the time at work and in dealings with men in the family. They ALL said "oh yes, that happens ALL the time". Not one of them thought it was a racist thing because they see it happening to colleagues and family members of all colours.
I think that everyone has brought up really good points about Michelle wearing designers from the country that she happens to be visiting. However, to be fair, she didn't wear Turkish or Russian designs when she was in Turkey or Russia respectively. Nor she she wear, for instance Stella McCartney when she was in London.
That said, it would be nice to see her feature AA designers, however I love that she wears designers young and old, female and male, novice and seasoned.
Also, wearing an AA designer to Ghana would have been like wearing Narcisco Rodriquez to Spain. Whose to say Tracy Reese's lineage is actually Ghanian. And even if she is, it is a long time removed. And she didn't wear "traditional" garb in any country she visited and while she would love AMAZING in traditional Ghanian attire, I think it would be out of step with her status quo.
Lastly, Tracy Reese is VERY good, but also VERY whimsical and youthful. Maybe not quite right for the FLOTUS. But I could be wrong.
I've had this discussion on a different blog. I still feel the same way. She will be here for four years. That's plently of time to wear a black designer's creation. And I'm definitely not mad at her for not wearing an AA designer in Africa.