Dear Michelle Obama: A letter to the First Lady

Dear Michelle Obama,

I know you're really busy right now, what with being a mom and First Lady and all. I know you and the First Fam just a got a new dog, Bo Diddley, and you must be exhausted from the Annual Easter Egg Roll last week and an ongoing tour of the federal departments to visit and thank staff. But since you're settling in and enjoying the first Hundred Days, I thought now might be a good time to talk about what I hope you will do for the country.

I want to preface this by saying that I really respect you and how you present yourself. I think you do a great job of dressing, speaking, and acting like an idyllic modern American woman: fierce clothes, strong shoulders, big smile, confident voice, and -I can't help but notice- those don't-fuck-with-me eyes. Right on. Show 'em you got what it takes. I'm rooting for you, and so are a lot of other women.

You should know, you are up against a big fight. Black women are among the most repressed and oppressed members of society. They face racism and sexism, in addition to historical trends of poverty, low-quality health care, and general disdain and discrimination. Compounding these general concerns is the simple fact that these are hard times, and every move your family makes is going to be scrutinized under a microscope.

Your dirty laundry will be aired for the world to see. In fact, it already is. A Google news search for April 15, 2009 yielded ten top results: two about Bo Diddley Obama, two about your department tour, one on promoting phys ed at the Easter Egg hunt, one on being honored by Working Mother magazine, and four about your personal life. Compare this to Barack's results: three hits about revising the tax code, one about the first Hundred Days, one about his commencement speech at Arizona State University...not a single one about his personal life or style. Every single result discusses policies, ambitions, and events in his young presidency. Why can't I read that about you?

On your biography at barackobama.com and whitehouse.gov, it states that "First and foremost, [you are] Malia and Sasha's mom." It goes on to state that you value family more than anything; that your stay-at-home mother "skillfully [managed] a busy household filed with love, laughter, and important life lessons" while your father went to work each day without fail, despite a battle with multiple sclerosis. Your hubby's bio, in contrast, opens with a date and place of birth, followed by a brief paternal biography. What's up with that? Why does your biography have to emphasize family and nurturing, when your husband's emphasizes, well, himself?

Don't fall victim to politics and media, Michelle. Don't be a pawn in the hands of staff handlers and public opinion. They will eat you alive. They want your soul. Don't give it to the detractors. It belongs to you. And frankly, your supporters want you to keep it. You need all of your strength and heart to do good for us. You're an amazing, accomplished woman: undergrad at Princeton, law degree at Harvard, an outstanding record of community service...don't let that be overshadowed by your motherhood or your hairstyle. They go hand-in-hand. That is why you captivate us.

Not to talk too much about your bio, but I noticed that you mention having roundtables with women on the campaign trail. Your biographer notes that you spoke to these women about the struggle to balance work and family, especially in this faltering economy. It states that you made it a goal to support military families, help women balance work and family, and encourage national service. That is a huge claim to stake. In a nation where 90% of welfare recipients are single mothers, where the system barely provides enough for them to survive and forces them to choose between degrading, low-wage work and caring for their children, what do you want to do to help them? Supporting military families and encouraging national service is a relative breeze compared to your second goal. But I'm telling you right here and now, that you can't do anything if you don't help the most disadvantaged "minority" in America: women.

I know you have to get on with your bad self, so let me wrap this up with a neat and tidy request: First of all, be you, loud and proud. I think you got that one down. You're a classy, stylish woman, Michelle, and you can and will rock this First Ladyhood. Second, roll out the Michelle O Stimulus Package. I want to hear your goals and a plan of action. Oh, and unlike our friends on the Hill, please add an accountability section. If you really want to tackle those three issues of supporting military families, helping working women, and encouraging community service, it all comes down to enabling women to seek education, job opportunities, and health care access -yes, that includes reproductive health care- that are equal to those that men have. Support our equality, and we will help you achieve your goals.

Love & Peace,

Elizabeth