The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

Get this, “Validation” from government!!!!!!!!

Just yesterday I blasted an article (Our never-ending search for a role model continues) that talked about how Michelle Obama “…normalizes black women.” I thought that it couldn’t get any worse.

It got worse.

Here are some excerpts from the article “Why do so many have a Man Crush on Barack Obama?”

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The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee doesn’t have to say a word to elicit such a response. He might show up — always smiling — shaking hands or merely strolling across the tarmac on his way to an event. And the women in our lives just edge closer to the television and beam right back at him to openly adore this senator from Illinois.

But what has come as a bigger surprise to me is the powerful reactions Mr. Obama is creating among other men. I’ve noticed the tiny, almost overlooked male reactions: a curled lip that stretches into a toothy grin or the puffed-up chests that occur as men watch Mr. Obama speak. I saw the image of an African-American man crying at an Obama event. When have you ever seen the public spectacle of a black man crying?

[...]

I think many men see in him an appealing validation and recognition — if unfamiliar in the popular culture — of their own masculinity. Or, perhaps, a form of masculinity they aspire to maintain for themselves.

[...]

The key to Mr. Obama’s appeal among men is his smooth and unflappable character. Brothers call it “Billy Dee Williams” smooth. He’s brought sexy back to white-collar masculinity.

Especially for African-American men, this is extraordinary. Indeed, he may be the only black man in America that can smile as often as he does and still be taken seriously by other black men.

[...]

Let’s face it, the senator from Illinois with the good looks and the winning smile is not only attractive to women. For many men, the guy with the big ears and big brain personifies a post-industrial and postmodern version of masculinity in a changing world that is not quite sure what to do with men and boys. Mr. Obama is showing them unimagined possibilities. (more…)

Just speechless.

I have to walk away for awhile on this one. I need to get some air after reading this. Perhaps I’ll comment on it once I get back.