The Importance of Respect: Michelle Obama

In an age of rambling dialogs and vitriolic speech spewed out by both major ideological clusters in the United States it can become difficult to discern from what is within the limits of acceptable debate and activities or communication procedures that fall into a desperate and ignominious category of low-brow attacks. Sad as it is to say, observers from both sides have taken the point too far again with their inconsiderate and baseless assaults on the image of Michelle Obama, the American First Lady.

(Photo courtesy of hispanicallyspeakingnews.com)

To understand the degree to which these shameful attacks extend requires a visible portrait of her background and personal accomplishments. Obama was born into a disadvantaged family in Chicago, yet she fought for herself steadily, entering Princeton and later completing a law degree at Harvard before becoming a legal counsel and managing hospital firms in Illinois. While her husband labored to become a politico, Michelle reached out through charities and brought in the real financial support, eventually allowing Barack to take a Senate seat which otherwise he might have found difficult to run for without proper funds. Indeed, the $317,000 per year which she earned dwarfs any of her partner's measly salaries, so one could argue the absence of her abilities in his life would have cut his political ambitions short.

Finances aside, the First Lady's image is not one which should attract justified partisan jabs and punches. Although she did make a major gaffe during the 2008 race, her demeanor and attitude has been far more of the Jackie Kennedy and Laura Bush lite than Eleanor Roosevelt or Hillary Clinton. So far she has abstained from injecting herself openly into the political process, dedicating her resources instead to health advocacy and nutrition initiatives with the goal of decreasing obesity rates among young Americans. There is no domineering Clintonite behavior to be had here; only the simple charm and earnest concern of a woman whose husband occupies the executive's chair in Washington.

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and an assortment of radio hosts have targeted her for this absolutely understandable advocacy, stirring up unneeded controversy which throws the system further into disconnect. Rather than seek to come in the way of the woman's voice for common sense and health, these figures should drop the partisanship over this entirely non-political issue and stand alongside her for the good of the nation.

What unavoidably is a good thing for America must be cherished for the future,not spat upon due to association-is-composition sorts of ideology. Michelle Obama may be married to Barack, yet she embodies the nation as First Lady, and all bystander should come to a level of kindness and moderation as to respect her role in the issues and events of today.




Cate Ashton

National Alliance Vice President for Domestic Issues