Diary of an Anxious Black Woman: So, Who's Surprised by This, Really?

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Got this from Black Women Vote!

18 comments:

Pseudo-Adrienne said...: "So, Who's Surprised by This, Really?"

Somebody out there who is extremely naive or in denial about the horrific history that was the attemted genocide of African-Americans, by means of lynching (and a propagandic dehumanization "campaign," also launched against them). Perhaps, someone like the supposed "liberal" blogger who made this?; May 22, 2008 8:54 PM
blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com said...: I saw this on another blog and women were outraged. The blogger clearly wanted to get attention and used racially offensive imagery to draw a lot of traffic. Some people don't mind being blatantly racist in order to draw attention to themselves.

The real disappointment is that her husband...passive...people-pleasing..."honey let's not make the white people mad at us okay? Obama will not publicly condemn this depiction of his wife.

He will publicly condemn his own pastor who endorsed his campaigns in front of the entire congregation for the past 20 years but he won't condemn a white person for being blatantly racist??

Let's see what develops on the news....I can tell you now...nothing.

Thanks for letting me blow my trumpet!

Lisa; May 22, 2008 11:29 PM
Miriam said...: Is it okay for us to be propogating this picture?

Would this make us "helpers" of that daily kos person?

ABW,

I've begun a new story blog for teens. I'm hoping to plug it (shamelessly? sorry!) for anyone who cares. Its called Jumping in!

The story is not compplete yet, and suggestions are welcomed.; May 23, 2008 12:08 AM
Miriam said...: ABW,

My apologies. I should ask this to every other blogger who has that picture up.

Respectfully disregard that question, please.; May 23, 2008 3:50 AM
Anxious Black Woman said...: You raise an important point, miriam, although I hope people coming to this blog can see that I'm reframing the picture by being critical of it and letting others know that it's out there.; May 23, 2008 6:45 AM
master da_who fashobi aka dave who said...: whoa what a powerful depiction of the true power of the black woman! for michelle obama to threaten the white male establishment to pull out golden age propoganda with web 2.0 savvy , struck my patriotic american heart and elected in my soul michelle obama mrs. america!; May 23, 2008 2:07 PM
Fal said...: I am not surprised.

I experienced the same phenomenon when I gave a presentation on women and voting two days ago where the audience was predominantly white liberals. They were disgusted by the fact that conversations of gender and race where blocking the real issue of militarism in Iraq and abroad. I tried to explain to them the complexities and intersections of race, gender, class and war, but they were dissident.

They felt Mccain is the worst thing that can happen when I wanted to explain to them that worst things are happening now because of intersections of racism, sexism, class, and neo liberalism, but it fell on death ears.; May 23, 2008 2:43 PM
Anonymous said...: miriam tho I think you should ask this of every one (re)positing this image, everyone still includes ABW. I too wonder what the point of spreading this image is when "so, who's surprised by this, really?"

blackwomenblowtrumpet Obama has already denounced attacks on Michelle and warned against potential attacks on his children. He said in speeches and in interviews in the last two weeks, as well as a longer televised statement, that his wife was "off limits" and attacking her "showed low class."; May 23, 2008 5:13 PM
ouyangdan said...: paint me "not surprised".

i agree, i think it is important to put it out there and let people know that this isn't OK. not in the least.

(followed the links from Shakesville); May 23, 2008 5:56 PM
blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com said...: @ Fal
@ Anxious Black Woman

When you have a chance, feel free to stop by Black Women Blow The Trumpet and give some dissenting opinions so that the group dialogue can advance to another level! I don't promote disagreement just for the sake of disagreeing but rather I think differing viewpoints can help frame the dialogue and produce deeper examination.

Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa; May 24, 2008 3:51 PM
mouse said...: I can't even begin to wrap my mind around this, not even to the point of understand what the hell they're using this disgusting imagery to try and say. Why would anyone ever think this was an okay way to frame any issue? I'm just stunned.

And this is someone supposedly on our side? Fuck.; May 24, 2008 8:50 PM
Anxious Black Woman said...: Anonymous, yes, this is a double-edged sword - by reposting the image, we perpetuate its circulation. But by perpetuating its circulation, we're letting those of us who are outraged know that this stuff is out there.

I understand your disapproval of my reposting the image here on my blog. But, I appreciate dissenting voices because I believe we can begin to create discourse about this and about how black women's images are being used to fuel racial and gender divides.; May 24, 2008 10:01 PM
Micha said...: Hello-- this is Miriam's husband speaking. Miriam was telling me about this conversation and so here I am...

It seems that what's getting people upset is the callousness involved in putting this image together. It doesn't have to do so much with the picture itself as it does with the act of taking the "raw material" of the picture and putting it all together. That's why people can circulate the picture and not feel that they're promoting something distateful; rather they feel they're pointing out how crude and callous the act of putting it together was, how callous its very creation was. And provoking conversations about that, and the context behind it. Thus it's about bringing up issues, not spreading around a disgusting picture.

On the other hand, I understand those who would rather not see the picture posted at all. In fact, my wife told me about the picture, and I didn't look at it.; May 25, 2008 7:06 AM
SheCodes said...: @Mischa:

Thank you for voicing my opinion exactly.

Posting a picture with words of condemnation does not equal 'promoting' a picture. Promotion is circulating a picture with a nod of assent or lack of critical discourse.

If we decide to stay in the dark about imagery like this, then these images will proliferate amongst people who enjoy it with impugnity. They should be pointed out, exposed, and publicly shamed for images like this.

Of course judgment is always called for. I would not post a picture of child pornography, for example. It a judgement call, and one in which context is essential.

P.S. We love your wife :-); May 25, 2008 5:39 PM
Anxious Black Woman said...: Thanks, micha, for adding to this conversation. I concur with shecodes about your wife! :); May 25, 2008 9:41 PM
SheCodes said...: Hello Anxious,

I had to stop by for a second, because the author of this vile image is not only completely unrepentant, but now claims that he 'regrets' taking it down.

After reading his comments, the hairs on the back of my neck began to raise from the familiarity of the argument. I recalled your encounter with that student who made that video with the Nazi imagery. The same dynamic is in play.; May 26, 2008 12:38 PM
Anxious Black Woman said...: I certainly don't doubt that. The racism is full on and undisguised nowadays, isn't it?; May 27, 2008 9:16 PM
Anonymous said...: ACTUALLY, YOU COULD HAVE LEFT THAT PIC OUT OF YOUR COMMENTARY.
HOW SAD FOR THE 21st CENTURY.

All females should support a lady such as Mrs. Obama.
a.f.; June 5, 2008 10:01 PM