TheRoot Takes A Look At The Mom in Chief – Michelle Obama

President and FLOTUS

by Lamar Tyler | on November 19th, 2008 | 2 comments

TheRoot.com ran a series where four successful mothers share their opinions on Michelle Obama’s choices. They take a look at her position as as the ultimate “mom-in-chief,” exploring her role in family, work/life balance and feminism: From the site:

With viewpoints that are funny, brash and bracing, the four women bring controversial and conflicting perspectives that are sure to spark spirited and downright-heated discussions about Michelle’s—and all women’s—choices.

Here are summaries and links to each piece:

§ Jolene Ivey, Founder of Mocha Moms, on how Michelle is the ultimate mocha mom—she is making a choice to be a “black at-home mom.” Claire Huxtable did it all, but she only had to keep it together 22 minutes a week—Michelle Obama has a chance to create a new template for what a fully functioning African-American family can be: “The Ultimate Mocha Mom” at http://www.theroot.com/id/48900

§ Leslie Morgan Steiner, editor of Mommy Wars—Steiner says Obama spoke to white women, but her “mom-first” spin is dangerous and insulting. Every mom in the universe puts their kids first. Instead, Obama should discuss work/life balance: “How Michelle Obama Passed for White” http://www.theroot.com/id/48899

§ Rebecca Walker, blogger for The Root says she cheered when Michelle Obama prioritized her life over her career in a widely viewed television interview. Feminism’s slippery promise of diversity has long been built around white centrism and women over 50, but Michelle’s rise challenges that centrism: “The End of Feminism as We Know It” at http://www.theroot.com/id/48898

§ Anna Perez, press secretary to former first lady Barbara Bush, says Mrs. Obama now has the power to set her own tone in her new household, the White House: “You Make The Rules” at http://www.theroot.com/id/48901

§ Plus, Meera Bowman-Johnson imagines what a letter to Michelle from Clair Huxtable might look like: http://www.theroot.com/id/48902

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

E.R.

I think people have their own definition of feminism. To me feminism means that women have options: we can stay home and be a homemaker or we can go into the workplace, go up the ranks, and get same pay of men. I applaud Michelle for making her choice to stay at home, she has young children. Knowing that she does has lots of work experience and a degress i can see her dabbling in a few things outside of home that she is passionate about.
Anna

I say if you have a choice to be a stay at home mom/wife, “go for it”. It doesn’t work for me, but to each her own. Our next First Lady will still be young when Sasha goes off to college for Mrs. Obama to resume her career. Mrs. Obama is not going to be in The White House baking cookies all day. She will find something she is passionte about besides her famiily and build a platform as all the other First Lady’s have done.