To not get the big deal about Michelle Obama?

[wellhellothereall]

She married a bloke who became president...so why is she so revered, because she married well? I just don't get it.

we are simply saying that those reasons do not in any way lessen or invalidate her considerable achievements

Of course not. But would she have been given as much opportunity to achieve all she has since if she didn’t have the platform she has? The platform that being the presidents wife affords you? That can’t be answered with certainty. She wouldn’t be involved in these high profile projects, give speeches people would listen to, have best selling books. Go on chat shows and pass her messages around.

we do only know about her because of her husband.

And we should thank him for that.

It doesn't take any merit away from her.

We hear about lots of people who don't deserve to be known about. And there are many people who deserve admiration who never get publicity. Or want it.

PengAly

I'm not sure what you have been reading in order to reach the conclusion that I am "offended" by Michelle Obama's success.

I mean that would be like me saying you were offended by anyone saying she was.l successful because of her husband, but you don't think that so we're good.

MoB has tangibly improved the prospects of hundreds of young girls through her words and influence....her impact is real. Can the people knocking her on this thread say the same or better of themselves? If you can, that’s amazing...please write a book about it

I would. But no one would read it. I’m just your run of the mill black woman, I have no influence. Maybe I should marry someone with the platform to enable me to get my voice heard.

She wouldn’t be involved in these high profile projects, give speeches people would listen to, have best selling books. Go on chat shows and pass her messages around.

You simply don't know. She could have achieved a lot more by not being married to Obama and playing second fiddle to him.

Also, people's worth is not measure according to how many speeches and tv appearances they get.

Maybe I should marry someone with the platform to enable me to get my voice heard.

You underestimate the work necessary to get your voice heard, even (or because) if you are married to someone important.
Melania has the platform but she's crap.

@OldBrownShoe

Again, I agree - she has had an unparalleled platform to build on her already impressive achievements and ambition.

And again, nobody is arguing about that, we are just saying we aren't impressed with her due to her status as First Lady, we are impressed with her achievements long before that AND the way in which she used that platform in a positive, powerful and inspirational way.

I'm not sure what point you are arguing when everybody seems to be in agreement about why we know who she is. Nobody is trying to trip you up or argue, it's just hard to understand what point you're making when everyone agrees.

It's how someone uses that platform that matters to me, rather than the status of the platform itself.

Yes Melania does have the platform but her message is unoriginal, unspecific and frankly vacuous.....”Be Best” ??? I’m not sure I grasped what that was ever about?!

I also think that they are great role models for a mutually supportive, healthy relationship based on equality and admiration for one another.

Of course we don't know them personally but they represent the power of teamwork and it's frankly lovely to hear them speak about one another in such positive terms.

From the outside, it seems they are truly proud of each other and I think that's fucking brilliant 😀

You underestimate the work necessary to get your voice heard, even (or because) if you are married to someone important

Not at all. Years and years ago I was part of a project that started an access to higher education for black women course. We worked extremely hard to get our voices heard and took years to get success. Would have been a hell of a lot easier if we had the high profile of being the presidents wife.

She wouldn’t be involved in these high profile projects, give speeches people would listen to

Before he became president she was giving speeches people were listening to because of the projects and fundraising she was personally involved in.
Surely if she didn't have the experience to hold peoples attention giving speeches, she wouldn't have been as actively involved in his presidential campaign.

And again, nobody is arguing about that, we are just saying we aren't impressed with her due to her status as First Lady, we are impressed with her achievements long before that AND the way in which she used that platform in a positive, powerful and inspirational way

You probably wouldn’t even know of her if she wasn’t his wife. That’s the point. You wouldn’t know of her achievements. They’re brought to our attention only because she is his wife.

All great ..but she wouldn't be writing a book if her husband hadn't become president

I don't think her husband would've become president if he hadn't been married to her.

I think she is a very admirable person indeed. And op yabvu

@OldBrownShoe

I've literally agreed with you on that point in my posts!

Yes, we wouldn't know of her if she hadn't become First Lady.

No, that spotlight does not in any way take away from the accomplishments or strength of character that I admire.

How do people on this thread feel about Condoleeza Rice?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condoleezza_Rice

Some people use the platform of Mumsnet to knock down an inspirational lady just because after doing a shit tonne of good for the world she married the POTUS.

Some of you could write a book about it.

Or you could shrug that giant chip off your shoulder and get on with doing good in your own world.

in what regard? Are you pitting her against MO as to which is more worthy?

Are you pitting her against MO as to which is more worthy? Nope. I'm saying they're both incredibly talented but one of them doesn't get this cringe worthy gushing.

@derxa

While I'm not politically aligned with Condoleezza Rice in a number of respects, I think she is incredibly accomplished, hugely admirable and an amazing speaker.

A number of her achievements - for example her uni book balancing and championing collaborative working at the highest levels in the world - are utterly remarkable.

I also personally think she always fought for what she genuinely believes is right and that shows a powerful strength of character.

She is up at the top of inspirational women in the world, she fought hard to make it and used her hard work to make things better for others.
She is amazing I am in awe of her, As a couple and parents the Obama family rock.

No, that is true. I would guess that a lot of that is because CR was a Republican. And isn't on a publicity tour of her autobiography.

I also greatly admire Condoleeza's achievements, but not her politics.

But she lacks the personal warmth and charm of Michelle Obama which means she doesn't appeal to such broad spectrum of people.

Choc too many to list everyone from Sheryl Sandburg to Serena Williams from Anna Wintour to Jacinda Arden all amazing women who have made their own way to the.i will read the book though perhaps it will enlighten me

Anna Wintour? Are you fucking kidding? Omg. The woman was born into a wealthy, white family, in Hampstead, dad was in publishing. How the fuck is she a better role model? She even bowed to Kuntye West & put his vacuous wife on the cover.

That's the end of this fucking stupid thread for me. drops mic

Ah, the OP is probably in the same school of thought that has the current first lady being better and bringing a bit of missing class to the role after 8 years of Michelle.......

I think she should be revered precisely because she was a black woman in that role and attacked by many in racist country for being a black woman in that role. All while maintaining a high degree of dignity.