Black Artists Association Whines About Michelle Obama’s Textiles

[KittyWampus]

Chicanery and Foolishness:Black Artists Association Whines About Michelle Obama ’s Textiles

Folks I could write about 15,000 words about this story from Women’s Wear Daily, but I won’t because sometimes Chicanery and Foolishness speaks for itself.

The Black Artists Association is taking her to task for not wearing anything by an African American designer. Cofounder Amnau Eele said Wednesday she will make a formal appeal to the First Lady’s office on behalf of the BAA. “It’s fine and good if you want to be all ‘Kumbaya’ and ‘We Are the World’ by representing all different countries. But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other black designers do something too?” Eele said.

Then Women’s Wear Daily threw in the kicker:

Asked if perhaps the First Lady isn’t looking at the world colorlessly, Eele said, “It’s one thing to look at the world without color but she had seven slots to wear designer clothes. Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer? That was our moment.”

Funny. I thought it was HER moment after sacrificing her life and the lives of her children to allow her husband to run for and win the White House. I listened to the inagural speeches and did not hear anything about the INAUGURATION being a moment for Black fashion designers. I’m going to stop right there, but just let that marinate for a moment. “That was OUR moment!” <sarcasm>They sound like they are a group of easy to work with people </sarcasm>

http://michelleobamawatch.com/chicanery-and-foolishnessblack-artists-association-whines-about-michelle-obama-s-textiles

[bluestateguy]

1. They can call dibs on her dress for the 1st state dinner

Otherwise, they need to get a life.

[cali]

11. they can't call dibs on anything whatsofuckingever

Michelle can pick any designer she wants for the next 8 years. they don't get to dictate who she wears.

[firedupdem]

2. Couldn't even read it all. That kind of shit irritates the hell out of

me. She can wear whatever the hell she wants. These groups of people from NOW to anybody else out there needs to get a damn grip on reality. uuuugh!

[roguevalley]

29. if someone out there catches her eye, she will wear them. I

applaud her wearing whomever. some of them will be black artists too I am sure. She should have her own style, which in my opinion is immaculate.

[babylonsister]

3. Everyone wants something, from both Obamas. Give them a break,

especially Michelle. Let her find her own path. She's doing a marvelous job imo.

[Waiting For Everyman]

4. They don't make the same demand of AA celebs and non-famous people, do they?

So they shouldn't be criticizing Michelle, and no one else. That shows it up for what it is - trying to take advantage of her while knocking her at the same time. It's some attempted PC blackmail.

[KittyWampus]

5. Also, free publicity for the whining whiners.

[EffieBlack]

19. Nor do they make the demand of white politicians and celebrities

I call bullshit.

Not only is it ridiculous, it's not even savvy. Why they think they can get Michelle Obama to wear their clothes by publicly attacking her is beyond me. The smarter thing to do would have been to send her some samples, photos, etc., invite her to a showing, and privately encourage her to wear their wares - after demonstrating to her why it's in HER fashion interest to do so. Or better yet, they could have contacted her Social Secretary - also an African-American woman - and invited her to an event or other opportunity to learn more about their clothing lines.

But calling Michelle Obama out like this is just stupid.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Michelle is already Black.....

What else do they want? :shrug:

[KittyWampus]

8. free publicity

[Thrill]

7. Never seen a first couple who has to put up with so much shit

from special interest groups

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. I'm sorry, but is the First Lady not entitled to have her own favorite designers?

This is just beyond ridiculous. Why does she have to be a walking, talking advert for somebody's clothes? This is a very accomplished woman, who doesn't seem to have a problem making up her own mind. I'm hoping she won't bow to pressure like this, it's just unabashed opportunism. Did the BAA go after Hillary or Laura?

As an African American myself, I'm hoping that the black community won't try to make the Obama's the First "Black" Family, as Obama was elected by we the people, to represent ALL the people.

[EraOfResponsibility]

10. as a Black woman, let me just say

STFU whiners. :eyes:

[traxster]

17. Exactly!

As another black female, I am right there with you!!!

[EffieBlack]

20. Me, too. Now we have enough for a singing group!

(and we'll wear whatever the hell we want!)

[AspenRose]

24. +1

[RayOfHope]

12. Jesus. This is the first week of the Obama's turn. She'll need lots more outfits.

:eyes:

[SunsetDreams]

13. Michelle is a 1st Lady of ALL People, not just some of the people

[AspenRose]

27. Thank you!

[ClarkUSA]

14. One wonders if this blog went LOOKING for some group to voice a gripe about Mrs. O

Down with MichelleObamaWatch.com! They are printing the same stories as Politico!! :eyes:

[oviedodem]

15. As usual AA's eat their own what a shock.

[EffieBlack]

21. What exactly do you mean by that?

[AspenRose]

25. I'm not going to speak for the poster but perhaps

they are referring to the "crabs in a bucket" syndrome :shrug:

[ellacott]

26. That's how I read it also

[EffieBlack]

39. I know about crabs in a barrel - I was more puzzled by the "as usual, AA's" do something . . .

That sounded like a gross stereotype to me but I was hoping they were making another point. Apparently not.

[sampsonblk]

16. They mistakenly thought they would have a seat the table

Thats all we are talking about here.

They should have known better.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ecstatic]

32. Maybe I'm interpreting your post wrong...

A "seat at the table" is one thing; forcing the First Lady to wear a design not of her own choosing is another. There are other ways to get a seat at the table.

[sampsonblk]

38. The perception gap

They thought that since the first lady is black, now all the black designers will finally get to make the dresses. They were wrong. Very simple. The Obamas don't operate like that.

Just my opinion: a lot of people who hold that view are going to be disappointed.

[FrenchieCat]

35. They had a seat at the table, just no guarantees that their seat

translated into being selected on first go around.

It's not like the First Lady is to appear naked to future functions for the next 4 years.

They need to chill out....cause there is no affirmative action programs for clothing designers at this time. Plus many Cubans are Black. And the Asian Designer that was selected for the inaugural Gown ain't exactly representing a majority.

[Vinca]

18. This is the stupidest whine I've ever read.

A woman should be allowed to wear whatever clothes appeal to her. Michelle's clothing shouldn't be held hostage by any interest group.

[NashVegas]

22. A Shame The Story Doesn't Ask Eele What Designs Were Submitted

By black designers?

Could it be that might not have been controversial?

[ellacott]

30. That would have been a great question

I did a quick google search on this person and she doesn't appear to have much credibility. She sued the TV show Heroes for stealing her ideas and it was thrown out of court. She also claims to be a mind reader and claims she predicted the 9/11 attacks in March of 2001.

[crispini]

37. Exactly. THAT's the question...

were the black designers considered, or not?

[politicasista]

23. Not surprising

Everyone wants their share of the pie. Others just want their egos fed and stroked.

[marshall]

31. They always find something to complain about the First Ladies' dresses

Either they aren't made by US designers or they're too expensive, or now they aren't made by the right US designers. It's always something, as Rosanne Rosannadanna would say!

[alwysdrunk]

33. These folks have a lot of nerve

What the hell do they think? The black first family is supposed to do everything black?! That's nonsense! These folks need to get a grip.

[alwysdrunk]

34. These folks have a lot of nerve

What the hell do they think? The black first family is supposed to do everything black?! That's nonsense! These folks need to get a grip.

[alwysdrunk]

36. These folks have a lot of nerve

What the hell do they think? The black first family is supposed to do everything black?! That's nonsense! These folks need to get a grip.

[ejpoeta]

40. ummm.... shouldn't michelle obama pick something to wear based on her style

and what she is comfortable wearing?? i mean... wtf. If she wanted to wear something by an african american, she would. is she required to choose something by an AA even if she hasn't found anything by an AA that fits her personal style??!!??