3 posts tagged “fashion”
this is a must read post on Racialicious by Tami on what the media is doing when it comes to mediating the life of Michelle Obama.
Between “Mammy” and “Miss Ann”: The “problem” with Michelle
update - I found two really smart posts about this media debate over Michelle's femininity - one post here and another here - both are by Cocoa Fly. Here are some pieces of writing I liked from Cocoa Fly's Back Up Off the First Lady:"Privilege hates to lose it’s place. Privilege believes that it deserves to be exulted above others. Indeed, it resents when the “other” is elevated to equal status, particularly when the “other” refuses to conform to the rules that privilege has put in place. So, the criticism of Michelle Obama’s physicality and sartorial choices comes as no surprise.
Most mainstream media are on board the FLOTUS love train. They call the First Lady beautiful. They love her unique style. They cherish those awesome, toned arms. They love her modern marriage. They celebrate her role as a mother. All of this talk about appearance and being a wife and mother–stereotypical feminine ideals–is driving some white feminists to distraction. They think this focus diminishes Michelle Obama’s considerable intellect and professional achievements. Most black women I know see things differently. The so-called feminine ideal is a tyranny to all women, but it is white women who stand as its embodiment. In the public consciousness, black women are almost never the most beautiful ones or the good wives or mothers. White women see Michelle Obama getting pushed into a feminized role and lament that this always happens to women. Many black woman recognize that it rarely happens to us and we are happy that people are finally recognizing our femininity.
The criticism that Michelle Obama has received, among the accolades, is instructive about the way black women are often viewed by the American public. Yesterday’s New York Times “Opinionator” column rounds up Web analysis of reactions to Michelle Obama’s style and appearance, particularly on the first couple’s recent European trip.
Reading about Juan Williams’ “Stokely Carmichael in a dress” comment, hearing the constant pondering of the first lady’s large buttocks and strong arms, and witnessing ongoing attempts to portray her as domineering, a narrative emerges that is not unfamiliar: Black woman are big, aggressive–not feminine, but masculine. Perhaps the only stereotype missing is the hypersexual tag that we often get saddled with–hypersexuality that is the opposite of the virginal feminine ideal.
Some folks clearly resent the presence of a black woman in an iconic position of American womanhood–one that is not meant for us.
Take the nitpicking about the First Lady’s clothing. Fashion press, as well as designers Donna Karan and Oscar de la Renta have sniffed at Obama’s choices of niche designers and off-the-rack clothes. Karan reckons Obama is going through a phase: “I hope and believe this is just a moment.” While de la Renta questioned the wisdom of wearing a sweater to Buckingham Palace. And, of course, there is the constant sniping about the First Lady’s shockingly uncovered biceps. "
"And finally, Michelle Obama is NOT Jackie O. I'm tired of folks saying, "Jackie Kennedy wouldn't do this. Jackie Kennedy wouldn't wear that," when Mrs. Obama does something people don't like. Michelle Obama is making her own legacy and Jackie Kennedy is not the current First Lady. Last time I checked my calendar it read 2009, not 1962."
"People have talked about Lady O's looks, called her "angry," "militant" and "unpatriotic." She was even called "trash" and "bitch" by pundits. I was so frustrated when I heard the "trash" and "bitch" reference. It makes me angry because there are racist undertones to some of these comments. Would they call her these things if she weren't black? I've never seen a First Lady so criticized, attacked and disrespected. I didn't agree with the way Pres. G.W. Bush ran the country but I never thought to call Laura Bush vulgar names or Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, Nancy Regan, etc. SOME people can't handle seeing an intelligent black woman who is poised and living a luxurious lifestyle."
alaina notified me that Bergdoof Goodman has caught on with my wolf trend!
This is a picture of their winter window display.
Everyone just remember that I said it was ok to be a wolf before BG!
And you know I became wolf before it was condoned haute couture.
I am preparing for 2009 - and 2009 for me is the year of mobility. I will soon complete my 2008 goals of cellphone heaven (swtiching to AT&T and buying the best mobile phone ever - nokia n82).
So in preparing for my mobile year, I have finally bought a foldable bike (will blog about that in my next post) and a mini-laptop that I could carry around with no more backpain. I bought a netbook because I need something so light that I could throw in my purse while I am in a car or on my foldable bike or on public trans. In NYC, I walk a lot and take public trans, while in CA I drive a lot and bike to destinations within a 5-10 miles radius. I just couldn't walk around with my macbook anymore - I would go home with welts on my shoulder and extreme back-pain.
While I love apple and love my macbook, I don't love how immobile their laptops are. And although the macbook air is light, it still takes up too much space in my bag (plus i never buy 1st generation apple products after my macbook nigthmare). I work in urban to rural areas and thus I value mobility and space a LOT when I am on the road. So the macbook air has never been an option for me. But I have been left in a situation where I am laptop-less and therefore reliant on internet cafes - which sucks as a workplace because I'm not exactly in posh, air-conditioned environments - or I am stuck bringing my 100lbs macbook everywhere! So now that netbooks are affordable with the option of working in a stable platform - osx - I thought it was time to invest in one! So that's right - I am not turning into a pc chic - hell no - unless I lean how to program (which I will one day), there is no reason to ever work in windows - it's dumb, clunky and unsafe platform. so osx + lenovo here I come!
I settled on the Lenovo s10 for several reasons - it was fashion friendly in white, it's Lenovo - a very reliable brand, has great tactile feel to the keyboard, has the multi-touch trackpad and seems to be friendly to OSx install.
I was thinking of buying the msi wind because it has been known as the most OSx friendly netbook, but it's around $50-$100 more than the Lenovo s10 and it has probs with the wifi with the osx install (though this seems to be easily fixable). So I was very tempted to buy the msi Wind but as of last week, every place was out of stock on the white msi wind! Then I read that the new msi Wind with the 6-cell was going to be release, but bloggers have complained about the new trackpad - so that worried me. Oh and I've typed on the msi wind before and I was not a fan of the keypad - too slippery. The newest Acer Aspire 1 160G 6-cell will be out later this month at $400 (and you can get it in white, pink and blue!), but I don't like the keypad and is not as osx friendly as the other netbooks. And I wanted something NOW and when I pre-ordered the Acer on Amazon, I received a notice that it wouldn't be shipped until Oct. 21-25 - I could not wait that long! The Dell Inspiron was also an option - but it was priced around $500 and was also not as osX friendly. So the decision seemed very obvious for me to just go with the Lenovo.
Some features with my thoughts after 1 day of use:
- 1.6GHz N270 Intel Atom Processor - AWESOME
- 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz - OKK
- Windows XP Home Edition (SP3) - ICKKK HATE WINDOWS - SUPER PIG FAIL
- 10.2" WSVGA AntiGlare TFT with integrated camera 1024x600 - LOVE THE CAMERA!
- 80GB 5400rpm hard drive - THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM FOR SOME PEOPLE, BUT THIS IS MY MOBILE LAPTOP AND I WILL BE WORKING MOSTLY OUT OF GOOGLE DOCS AND TRANSFERRING TO USB DRIVE IF NEEDED - MY MACBOOK IS STILL MY MAIN LAPTOP WITH MY PHOTOS AND ETC
- Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics - LOOKS GREAT TO ME
- Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless and Bluetooth
- 4-in-1 Media card reader and ExpressCard slot
- 3-Cell Li-ion battery - 3-CELL DEF NOT ENOUGH - I NEED TO BUY ANOTHER 6-CELL SOON!
- Size: 9.8" x 7.2" x 1.2" (including feet) - LOVELY - JUST LOVELY
- Weight: 2.64 lbs (with 3-cell battery) - SO LIGHT I LOVE YOU BUT YOUR BATTERY LIFE SUCKS!!!!
- Starting price: $439 (with 512MB RAM and 80GB hard drive) - MUST BUY MORE RAM NOW - AT 512RAMS I CAN't EVEN PROPERTY RUN SKYPE!
For some tech-intense reviews, check out the following blogs that have reviewed the Lenovo s10, LapTop Mag, Gizmodo, Geek, Notebook Review, DigitGeek, cNEt, and the mobile Experience. and wired says it's the best netbook to date!
