Words.
"...Like every woman I know, black or white, I’ve watched Mrs. Obama with respect, admiration and arm-envy. Every woman. We talk about her unique role in American history, and we are proud and impressed. I’ve interviewed a former first lady’s chief of staff, various Republican operatives, and former staffers for previous presidents, and without exception, they all say the same thing: “I admire her so much.”
Thus, the recent discussion about Mrs. Obama’s manner and temperament, thanks to Jodi Kantor’s new book, “The Obamas,” is maddening. Yet again, the first lady is being characterized as the thing women can never be — angry.
...Whether or not it is true, this and other minor third-party anecdotes were enough to resurrect the angry-woman mantra that began when Barack Obama started his run for president. Responding to the controversy, Mrs. Obama, who usually keeps to herself and her family, came out to publicly defend herself against the angry-black-woman stereotype.
...Despite the pain these critiques cause Mrs. Obama and other African American women who identify with her, I do believe that these feelings are not particularly widespread. Most see the first lady as she is: a beautiful, gracious, intelligent, elegant, devoted wife and mother of whom we can be proud.
Those who insult her insult us all, and, yes, we should be angry."
THE WASHINGTON POST: Denigrating Michelle Obama with the ‘angry black woman’ slur
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