The baiting of Ms Obama: Guardian UK
Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 12:23PM As the focus this week turned to Barack Obama's choice of running mate, his other crucial partner continues to show that the Democratic nominee isn't the only Obama breaking down barriers. Michelle Obama is well on her way to becoming the first African-American first lady. But in a country that has a long way to go in terms of racial and gender justice, her reception has been far from warm. In the wake of the rank misogyny directed at Hillary Clinton throughout her campaign, it's time for American feminists to defend Michelle Obama with the same passion and vigour: the attacks are worse and the consequences more dire.
Media coverage of Obama has packed a nasty racism-sexism combo that is quickly becoming a national disgrace. First a Fox News segment captioned a picture of Michelle as "Obama's Baby Mama", a disparaging term for unmarried mothers. Rightwing commentators have called her an "angry black woman" and "Obama's bitter half", while the National Review ran a cover story dubbing her "Mrs Grievance". Then came the notorious, if satirical, New Yorker cover, where she was featured as having a large Afro and toting a machine gun. more
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