AFP via Yahoo:
US First Lady Michelle Obama is not a "great beauty," but will "just get better with age," Iman, one of the first black supermodels, says in a magazine interview.
"Mrs Obama is not a great beauty," the Somali-born model and wife of rocker David Bowie tells Parade magazine's Sunday issue, reflecting on the first black US first lady, who is a lawyer by training and a former executive.
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Of course Michelle, is no beauty, but she is attractive.
"None is so blind as those who can see only with physical eyes".
An important lesson for any human being to learn and embrace is the wisdom of seeing their own beauty through their own eyes. Unfortunately in this incredibly shallow world in which we live, physical beauty is valued beyond beauty of heart, soul and mind. Even worse it is defined along racial lines or by the fashion industry whose only purpose is to serve itself.
As far as Michelle Obama's physical appearance is concerned, the president of the United States thinks his wife is gorgeous. He has said as much publicly. As far as Iman's opinion, she is entitled to it. Having read the article, HuffPost has taken her comments out of context. Iman, no doubt could have found a less controversial way to express her opinion, but then we would not have been given this opportunity to examine our own hearts and minds about what really matters and why we allow others to define ourselves to ourselves.
Best response to the *ugly comments*, is I'll decide for myself.
Beauty is only skin deep and actions speak louder than words!
In case some of you are unaware there is a schism between black Africans and black Americans and always has been. Iman picked at a scab when she made her remarks, regardless of her intentions. There's the use of the term "African" American by black Americans, the europeanization of black Americans, the misappropriation of "African culture" by black Americans and so on. Many black Africans do not consider themselves "African" Americans and will not hesitate to let you know what country and tribe they are from. It's no different from many carribean blacks who also do not share an affinity for black Americans. I don't think Iman meant to be harsh, but if folks are wondering where some of the division is coming from, I don't know about younger people, but older black folk have debated this issue for decades. Folks used to get upset at Iman because they questioned why white American designers had to go outside the states to get a model to portray the image of black beauty in America. Back in the day it was Iman, Beverly Johnson, and to a lesser extent the Jayne Kennedys that were the standards of beauty for black women, not the Cecily Tysons or the Angela Davises. However, the Tysons and the Davises were viewed by many in the black community as the true images of beautiful black women. I won't even get into the "brown paper bag" test.
http://www.drive-american.org/letters.htm
http://wwwamericanpatriot-vance.blogspot.com/
O's un American
you're part of what tribe?
On the other hand more beautiful than enough would be a tragic understatement. When you view the whole "package" including intellect and mom creds, she's at the top of the list. If you don't believe me, ask her husband....
I'm not sure Iman meant it to come out sounding quite like that. However, I will say that I think Michelle Obama is absolutely beautiful.
Iman was obviously FLATTERING an COMPLIMENTING Mrs Obama. She was being gracious and charming, unlike many of the people who commented here.
I agree.
absolutely. The headline is not helping but it goes to show that people comment without reading first.
Perhaps we read from different etiquette guides, but it's never gracious or charming to say that someone isn't a "great beauty".
What do you expect an African woman who voluntarily beds a white man. Her concept of beauty, black womanhood, self respect, etc is screwed up.
Racism so becomes you.
Been bitter long?
you're absolutely right. she shaped like d*ck (famine or something), that is her definition of beauty
...did a white boy steal your girl?
If Obama wasn't president I suspect you wouldn't be on this site
oh yeah.. and I honestly would rather wake up to Michelle Obama in the morning than Iman. Iman is pretty in her own way but she scares me a little. I bet if you put a baby between Michelle and Iman the baby would go to Michelle.
That's funny!
I've been reading the comments and I don't understand why people still argue about beauty. Who decides what is beautiful and what is average? All over the world people have different standards of what is beautiful. For example thick eyebrows and a round belly are attractive in Uzbekistan. Here in the US people are all about being tan while in places like Korea they try to whiten their skin. Being very thin has only been considered beautiful for like what the last 100 years? Also in some cultures they prefer thin lips...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think most of us, including myself, have been socialized by our culture to think certain things are beautiful. But really I hope there is much more to it than that.
imam says michelle no great beauty but bright which is better than being a great beauty because michelle will just get better when she ages. for a great beauty, it all goes downhill.
this HP article is misleading. stirs up a lot of anger as shown in the comments.
A lot of that has been happening lately. Where is hufpo getting these "writers"?
That headline is so misleading. Iman was not insulting Mrs. Obama.
Hey, who knew Iman was still alive? Not me! Hey Iman, jealous much?
And what does the President's big nose, brown lips, kinky hair and high cheek bones highlight? I know it's hard 4 some of you to admit but Obama has more so called African Features than the first lady. FLOTUS is connected to Africa from slaver 3 centuries ago, the president is connected by his father.
I believe the article is discussing Iman's comments of Michelle in Parade magazine. Not Barack Obama.
My point is, don't assume you know where FLOTUS is from. Oprah says her ancestors r from S. Africa. The pres.'s Father was from East Africa (Kenya) just like Iman (Somalia), do they have the same features. These regions don't have monolithic features. Don't assume b/c you know the saying.
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Posted: 05-15-09 02:22 PM