The Washington Post ran two pieces that ostensibly defend Michelle Obama. But not really. Both authors try to look at Michelle Obama through the lense of upper-class black America--more upper-class than black. I could pull together a long post about dangers of looking for race and racism around every corner. But I've had my "OK, white people you have a point" moment for the month. I'll simply say that for most of my professional career, I've been either the only black person or one of a precious few black people on the job. The same thing is true of my partner. Frankly, I have no idea how race affected my tenure at any of my stops, and I never spent much time trying to figure it out. I've been in stores and gotten the "Do you work here?" treatment from old white ladies. Was it because I was black? Or was she confused. I don't know. And I don't much care.
My point is that I think those two pieces outline a pretty big break between my own politics, and the politics of some of the folks I went to school with. To me, the struggle--at this moment--is about tangibles--incarceration rates, home ownership rates, the wealth gap, public schools etc. I have almost no interest in sitting back, looking out my window on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and wracking my braing trying to figure out what white people think of me. I just don't have time.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
I think you missed one of the key points of those op-eds. Yes, they were both written by upper-middle-class black folks. But the reason I was nodding along as I read was because they were written by black *women* who were articulating some of the frustrations I deal with on a daily basis.
When I look at Michelle Obama, it's often like looking in the mirror. If she'd been a little closer to my age, I probably would have run into her at some point growing up in Chicago. And when I hear her described as the quintessential Angry Black Bitch (not to be confused with blogger ABB, who also rocks), I know they're talking about me too--only more so, since I'm a short, fat, fairly butch-appearing dyke.
Michelle Obama's treatment by the media is a reminder to every black woman that in 2008, if we don't fit into the slut, Sapphire, or Mammy roles, then they'll try to cut off pieces until we do fit into the appropriate box.
Yeah, allow me to co-sign with Dark Rose for a sec.
I think, as a black man, we can't really appreciate - try as we might - the struggles of black women to be accepted as equals. Nothing more, nothing less.
Michelle came into the game having to play defense, essentially. No one really cared about her credentials, her background, her character from jump. She just seemed like some other sort of being that had to conform with other folks' perceptions of what a potential First Lady should look and sound like.
And though I believe blaming the media is sort of a copout, Cindy McCain - thus far - hasn't received anywhere near the scrutiny and criticism that Michelle Obama has through the early months of this campaign. And it's certainly not because there's not enough grist for the mill there. It's just that people naturally accept her as being in line with their understanding of what the First Lady should be.
I'm co-signing with Darkrose also. The first article resonated with me as well. Sometimes, I think the struggles of black women get overlooked. I personally think this issue pertains to all black women regardless of socioeconomic background.
It's interesting. I saw the articles completely different. I've been waiting for Black women to step up to the plate and defend Michelle Obama, and they did this. I see where you're coming from, T-Nehisi, but when Barack Obama is called ' Affirmative Action Run Amok', and Michelle Obama is bitched about because she's not ' GRATEFUL', I believed both pieces were on point. I believe Whites are quite comfortable with Blacks, as long as they conform to Black pathologies. The trouble ensues when the Black person does NOT conform to Black Pathology.
And, there's nothing about Michelle Obama that can fit into any Black pathology.
I was very pleased to see the articles written about Michelle by Black women, sharing the complications of the Invisible Black America.
Forgot to add this:
Cindy McCain is an adulteress, embezzler and junkie.
but, she's White.
IF Michelle Obama were just ONE of these...not all three, just ONE....it would be running as a nonstop storyloop on cable. Let Michelle Obama have inherited 1 million, let alone 100 million and STEAL from someone.
Final post...for the night..
I understand what you're saying about the ' Class' issue, but here's the thing, Ta-Nehisi.
Michelle Obama's roots are humble. They are average. She's the child of two high school graduates, who did what her parents (and millions of other Black parents) told their children to do.
Do not, also, discount Michelle Obama being a BLACK woman, as part of the protective circle that Black women, up and down the socio-economic ladder are placing around this Sister.
This is one time, where I just don't think you ' get it'.
Black women are invisible- PERIOD - in this society, and the only time you seem to have one out front and center is if she's a ' bi-racial curly hair gurl' type.
To have THIS BLACK woman front and center?
In all her regalness.
Step away from our protective circle around her.