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.
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
I'm personally shocked that most non-African American people don't know what Africans think of African Americans, particalarly Somalis and Ethiopians. They abhor all things black, and African women are bleaching themselves to death attempting to be something they are not. Why would Iman marry a man who everyone knows never really even liked women? She hurried up in her 40's after she married him to have mixed children, her badge of honor. Kids that don't have her skin.
I'm not saying that interracial dating is wrong-have done it myself. I'm saying that some people have severe self-hatred issues, and anyone who knows any Ethiopians or Somalis would not be suprised at her comments.
This is the saddest post I've read in a long time. I don't know if its true, but either way, it is very sad.
Are we NEVER going to get beyond this?
What you've written are generalizations, and you as an African American, should know never to generalize.
Somalis are not people who care about race, or race status. It does not matter if Iman married a black man or a white man, The fact is she isn't married to a Somali man, and that is what most would talk about, nothing else.
How is Iman a self-hater? When she has considered herself to represent and be put into a racial classification she does not even belong to. She has great respect for AA's and donated money to the Jena six boys.
The fact is you are disliking Iman because you notice a difference in her apperance, and feel inferior. 90% of the posts here have been written by people who gravely suffer from a complex. You do not know what it is to be an Ethiopian or a Somali, so don't come here and speak for us.
I know several Somalis and Ethiopians, and they NEVER associate with African Americans. They only deal with White people. Perhaps I've met the wrong ones, but I've been to college, law school and got a masters of law at two different universities, and its always been the same. I've also read many articles about it.
Perhaps I'm generalizing, so I shall wait for someone to change my outlook.
Interesting
Ya know, Iman has an AA daughter by her first husband, Spencer Haywood.
You 're jealous of David Bowie.
I wouldn't date David Bowie if you served him on a bed of caviar.
This is crazy that you attack Inman. She specifically said MO will get better by age and was more or less an Intelligent and beautiful woman. So continue to eat your own it is so stuoid!!
Iman looks like a Somalian pirate.
Is that supposed to be a joke? What about a Somali pirate has anything to do with looks? That's like saying Prejean looks like a caucasian crook. Maybe if Iman dressed like a Somali pirate, that would make more sense.
Saying someone will/may improve with age is definitely more than implying she's "not so great" NOW. LOL Don't you know a "backhanded compliment" when you read one?
Here, let me give you another example...
"Gee, that wyldthings person will surely find herself more intelligent as she gets older...."
Get the possible implication?
no. It is not a nasty comment and yes, poepl can become more intelligent with age if they work at it.
You assume improve means it starts from a bad point. It does not. I heard someone say that about Liv Tyler when she was 18 and already stunning -- and they were right because at 30 or so she is incredible. Again, if one comes from a place of insecurity one sees an insult everywhere. This isnt one.
or how about this one...
You are very articulate.
What's crazy is that Iman even issued such a pointless statement.
What is a classic beauty? Anorexic fashion models vomiting before they go down the runway? Give us a f-in break.
What makes Michelle Obama beautiful NOW is that she is geniune---not some made-up stick insect fashion hanger.
Well if you read the whole article Iman doesn't seem to be putting Michelle down at all. Context is a wonderful thing, and unfortunately this headline doesn't provide it.
I certainly could not live up to such detailed scrutiny from people I do not even know such as on this post.
I do not see how the Obama's deal with it all.
sueco3 -
Parada Mag- we get that but do not read it- I use that to pick up dog poo!
I was asking you to make an exception today and check the fishwrap--or doo doo wrap--since that is where the article is that started all this controversy. As I wrote yesterday, this whole controversy smells like something manufactured by a dowdy Sunday paper insert to get people to read it before they line the bird cage.
Iman can't get rid of her unusual accent, which to me sounds fake. I still can't quite place it. She is too angular and lanky looking. Michelle has a better vocabulary, a better mind, a better sense of dressing like a lady and not a fortune teller.
Straight from the giraffes mouth, ey Iman?
http://ima
I just can't resist:
http://api
Michelle Obama is more than beauty she is gorgeous. MO he has brains and beauty minus the ego trip like Models-
Maybe Michelle Obama isn't exactly supermodel material ... but she's prettier than Iman. I've always thought Iman looks like a dude in drag.
Misleading headline again. Imam obviously has a very high opinion of MO if you read the article.
Comprehension seems to be a problem, as well.
Michelle = yum
Iman = plastic
Her husband is a sexy man who plays really neat music. I love David Bowie.
There is no insult, period. Anyone's words can be manipulated, and misconstrued. If she'd said MO was a great beauty people would've accused her of l.ying and a.ttacked the first lady's looks, while pointing out her every flaw.
Iman answered honesty, AND with deference in regards to ms. obama.
What's wrong with these BO droolers? Anything that appears slightly negative of the Obama's is screamed at. There is no desire by those folks to read an article properly and make logical deductions.
Imam is right. Michelle Obama is no great beauty. She has however, nice arms, a good bottom, great legs, a small waist, nice teeth, good skin. Not being a great beauty does not mean that she is hideous.
Physical beauty is not synonymous with brains, talent, great personality, and a generous spirit.
If looks count for much, the most physically attractive president in the last 30 years was Vladimir Putin. The guy was just handsome. The prettiest first lady during the same period is Carla Bruni.
By the way I like the Obamas, but I am not an Obama drooler.
Go figure.
No you r a hater!
You can call me a BO drooler forever. Iman sounds clueless in that article. When one refers to another as 'not a great beauty' they are insinuating they're plain. How would you like it if you were described as such? Iman should have added 'imo' because many people consider Michelle a beauty. I always have, from the moment she joined Barack on stage in 2004 at the Dem convention to this day. She's a beauty, from her hair, smile, eyes, legs, to her spirit. Then she's witty and intelligent. Iman can't hold a candle to Michelle.
That's your opinion, have at it. Then, leave iman to hers.
Iman doesn't have to agree.
Given that there is no universal standard of beauty, Iman's statements should be taken for what they are: an expression of her opinion, however impolitic. The First Lady is truly beautiful - especially to the person whose opinion on this matter I suspect means the most to her: The President of the United States.
The beauty in people comes from inside and what they do. Most of us will look hideous after the earth has reclaimed our bodies, but hopefully our true beauty, in the deeds and good that we do, will live on. Watch Michelle Obama when she interacts with children and you'll see beauty that goes way beyond the superficial.
Iman had her time, but I would venture a guess that she will be forgotten by history long before Michelle Obama has been.
Your first paragraph explains what iman was saying, perfectly.
seeing as how Michelle is a FL and a political figure of COURSE she'll be remembered more than Iman, but I don't see the point of all this "revenge" comparison. Ooh, "well, she'll be remembered more" or "ooh, she's prettier than Iman". Hello? Iman's point is clear, in fact, you seem to make it for her, so what's the deal with the indignance?
It wasn't indignance, it was pointing out fact and using the very argument made to drive home the fact. I would be willing to bet that Michelle Obama will use her notoriety to further an agenda that ends up being further reaching than Iman's.
By the way, being First Lady has very little to with anything. Michelle Obama will probably end up remembered for deeds and not just because she's a First Lady. How many First Ladies can most people name that have made more of an impact, earned or not, than Iman? Sure, Kennedy, Roosevelt, maybe Madison and Adams come to mind, but most First Ladies in history are very easily forgotten and even if the names ring a bell, most can't name anything that they are remembered for other than the mere fact that they were First Lady.
What? Are we looking at the same First Lady? Michelle Obama may not be a conventional beauty but then neither is scarlett johansson Brooke Shields, Jennifer Anniston (who I think is the prettiest woman in America), but something about the way it comes together makes them beautiful. Michelle Obama is absolutely as beautiful as a woman can be. It is partly that beautifully shaped face, those big shining eyes, the fantastic smile, and while that whole is beautiful, what really tops it off is the light that literally beams from her face. I can't look at her or her children without feeling joy and pride. Lucky us!
Loading comments…
Posted: 05-15-09 02:22 PM