Obama Gives Ebony First Post-Election Interview, Photoshoot

The Swamp:

So which magazine was the first to get a sit down interview and photo shoot with President-elect Barack Obama?

Ebony Magazine, which was visited by the president-elect at its Chicago offices in the Michigan Ave. headquarters building of its parent, Johnson Publishing Co.

That Obama would give his first magazine and photo session to Ebony seems fitting. The magazine was a pioneer in publishing in much the way Obama's a trailblazer in politics.

Evolved from Negro Digest, which was founded in 1942 by John Johnson, Ebony for decades was one of the few periodicals African-Americans could turn to for images and stories about black strivers and movers and shakers rarely ever seen in the mainstream media.

Read the whole story: The Swamp

Comments

[DCCommuter]

Obama is brilliant because he doesn't cling (in an insecure way) to the Black community, but he doesn't distance himself (Clarence Thomas). He actually does what he feels makes himself feel comfortable. Could he be ... an emotionally-healthy politician? Do they make those.

[amistad]

What are you talking about?
How do you know if Obama "clings" to the Black community? His wife is black, as are his two children.
Compare Obama to Clarence Thomas? Please.

[CeeCee]

I think you misread the comment. He "doesn't cling in an insecure way." Key word: insecure. He doesn't distance himself, like Clarence Thomas distances himself. It was an example, not a comparison.

[StillIRise]

My sentiments exactly!!! As much as some people love Obama, which I appreciate, unfortunately they also tend to look for a way to make him less black. How does one discern whether or not one is "clinging" to the black community. I do not feel at all insecure in my blackness, yet I have a black husband, just as Obama has a black wife. My children are black, as are his. I enjoy the experience of the black church, as he does. However, many of my family, my friends and associates are non-black, just as his are. The spiritual or emotional health of a person, black or white, is not realized by one clinging to or distancing oneself from his or her community. It's realized in knowing and celebrating who we are, and knowing that we are more than the color of our skin or the circumstances of our life. President-Elect Obama is a black man who knows who he is, who celebrates his rich and diverse heritage, who embraces his own humanity and the humanity of others, and whose faith in Life and confidence in himself illuminates in everything he does. He is a man who clings to love and truth and reality, and distances himself from hate and lies and delusion. And this is the cornerstone of his health ... it has nothing to do with skin color.

Clarence Thomas has other issues that are not even comparable.

[DCCommuter]

Hey. To make some kids you have to do some clinging!!
To me, Clarence Thomas is someone that was so hurt by racism, he now clings to anything that IS NOT African American. He is emotionally not all there.

[CeeCee]

By all accounts he is emotionally healthy. Thank goodness.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

I would like to thank the "Black community" for helping to mold a President who the nation can be so proud of. I think the world thanks you too.

[harriettubman]

Thank his grandmother. She molded him and she did a fantastic job. Wish the world could've known her when she was mobile and healthy.

I'm so greatful to the white people in this country who saw past the fear tactics and had great parents that didn't indoctrinate them with all that hate. The campaign started in Iowa.

[harriettubman]

I meant grateful. My spelling is off when I type too fast.

[Df7702]

Cling to the black community ? Jesus Christ .

[DCCommuter]

Yes, bitter / cling. Like I cling to my AA husband. hahahha. I ain't mad at cha.

[harriettubman]

I understand what you're saying. Al & Jesse are clingers for the wrong reasons though. Yes, Obama is an emotionally healthy man who became president.

[audiodramatist]

Here's a little known obvious fact:
Since the new President has white American linage, and Black African linage, with brown skin and the Redman's looks, the yellow mans' temperment...
We all can address him as Dr. Cornell West would suggest:
Brother President.

Now all i have to do is figure out a way of getting a copy that Ebony to me here in Cape Town, South Africa.
They revere the Brother, President Barack Obama, in Africa.

[SherryIndianapolis]

That sure is a good looking man.....

[BabsfromKansas]

MMMMMMMMMM - can't wait to buy the copy!

[levibatgirl]

Oh yeah!!

[JJ30]

I will be picking up a copy when it arrives on stands. Ebony is going to have to prepare to print thousands and thousands of copies. This edition will be flying off the stands like crazy.

[jackson1015]

Remember that saying "Politics is show business for ugly people"? (Can't remember his name, but one of those pundits on CNN originatedit.) Anyway, it may have been true before....but babe-o-licious Obama has changed all that :-)

[Adebukola]

Ebony should send autographed copies to the following: Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Medved, Dick Morris, Bill O, Michelle Malkin, and the list goes on and on.

[harriettubman]

LOL, that's good.

Michelle Malkin is so hateful too. She reminds me of an Asian (and she is) who's acclimated to the bad side of America. You'd think she would've been raised with some sense of fairness.

[DebofMD]

Yay! Ebony came out with a great cover story on him in February entitled, "Are We Witnessing the Election of America's First Black President?" They were very astute in their observations and the article was very well done. And since then they have done wonderful articles on Barack and Michelle in addition to great covers. I am so glad they get first dibs.

[Bethgirl]

It is so great to know that America got it correct this time around. How wonderful it is to have elected President Obama who is a great communicator, has great intellect, and has a great sense of awareness the rest of the world. I can't wait for my favorite T.V.show to get interrupted for a word from President Obama.

[jackson1015]

Yow.....that's my favorite Obama "look"....a suit and a cool pair of shades. Yes, yes, I know I'm shallow. But that is one good-looking man.

[zepfan81]

Uh oh. I bet the right-wingers are close to a heartattack now. They see their greatest fear!

[DCCommuter]

Wow, it doesn't take much to give them a heart attack.

Hopefully Obama will keep it "fair and balanced" by also marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

[amistad]

Why should he?

[mypov123]

I hope he has his Ebony cover blown up and framed and he hangs it up in the Oval Office lol.

[rmetz74]

Seriously. I can't stop giggling thinking about it.

[mom2sons]

Remember what Rush said about O and the dinner party thing. Yeah, coolest guy at the party. LOL My president-elect. Might have to just fill out that long application and commute from Pittsburgh. Man, this is going to be a fabulous time to be in DC. Just when I'm getting married. LOL.....but that's a good thing right?

[zepfan81]

My sister said the day after the election this lady came in crying saying it was "the end of Christianity."

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

For those who believe that Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount as the cornerstone of Christianity, they would say it is the beginning of it.

[Bronxcutie]

I can't wait to pick it up! I was waiting for the Ebony & Essence covers!

[shellyamber]

Fired up!!!!
Ready to GO!!!!!!!!
That should be the slogan for the next 8 years. Did you see those people in Virginia just erupt when he did that??? OMG....
He brought my butt off the couch that is for sure!!!!!

[kellymc]

Absolutely - still gives me goosebumps!

[shellyamber]

Michelle is one lucky First Lady.
Barack Obama is one handsome piece of presidential rump. Joe Biden is hot, too. The Democratic ticket was just pure sexy this election year.
When he danced on Ellen, he was kinda geeky sexy...which is still hot.

[StillIRise]

They ARE an extraordinary couple. Their love and respect for each other and for their children is palpable, and you can tell they have a lot of fun together when they're out of the spotlight. It's nothing like the stiff, Stepford Wife, patriarchal husband that we've witnessed among some of our former presidential couples - and as John and Cindy McCain would have been. Michelle's and Barack's relationship is as real as they are.

Come to think of it, when was the last time we so comfortably called our President and First Lady by their first names. They've made us feel like we know them personally, like we're part of their circle of friends. This is the kind of "trickle-down effect" that I can appreciate.

[StillIRise]

Clarification: We also felt this comfortable with Hillary and Bill, but there's still a difference.

[OregonMaggie]

Good grief - is our POTUS elect just a hottie or what? BRAINS and TALENT and INTELLIGENCE and he's divine in shades. Can someone tell me where to clone a guy like that? Yummy!

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Since we finally have a role model in the high office who has all of the qualities, I predict that there will be many more men - black, white, asian, hispanic- who follow in his footsteps in the near future. Intelligence, Self-Respect, Respecting Others, Hard-Work, Community Activism- it's all cool again. Gone are the days where dumbness, dogma and greed are what is in.

[westreal]

Gotta get a copy

[Bethgirl]

You all are so wrong for lusting after the President. I am sending all ya'll butts to the corner until ya'll learn how to behave. (smile)

[luvobama]

Three words.

De lish ous!!!