Michelle Obama Achieves Her Goals as a Woman

First Lady Michelle Obama’s absence from the summit between President Obama and President Xi Jinping has not only caught the attention of western media, but it has also stirred endless discussion and conjecture among Chinese mainlanders. Outside the political realm, Michelle has achieved her goals as a woman.

Previously, I published an article analyzing Michelle’s absence from the summit from both the perspective of politics and the perspective of a woman, leading to two different titles: “Michelle’s Absence from the Summit is a Haughty Way to Hide Humility” and “Michelle Doesn’t Want to Fight Peng Liyuan for the Spotlight.” Because of the phrase “haughty way to hide humility,” some Internet friends have misinterpreted the word “humility,” which can also mean inferiority and self-abasement. An explanation follows below.

When the article says that Michelle feels inferior, she does not feel inferior because of her country, but because of herself. This inferiority comes only because she has no guarantee of being number one. Her pride is such that she does not want to be pushed down to number two. As a confident and proud woman, her humility comes from her uncertainty that she can outdo her opponent. Perhaps it is true that she looks down on her opponent, but she is still unable to steal the glory. Since this is the case, she would rather miss the summit. With Michelle’s independent personality, pride and biased views, it is understandable that she would take this course even if it brought slight harm to the country.

Before the event unfolded, Michelle had already achieved her goals as a woman.

First of all, Michelle has constructed the image of a loving mother who puts her children first. This has earned praise from many mainland Chinese women. This year’s National College Entrance Examination coincided with the summit, and parents across China could be seen standing outside testing facilities in the sweltering heat, waiting anxiously for their children. This has given Chinese parents greater empathy for Michelle, eliminating much of the negative effects of her absence from the summit.

Secondly, as the formerly indisputable number one woman in the world, Michelle has been able to dodge the spotlight trained on Peng Liyuan, using another tactic to win worldwide media attention. Whether people believe Michelle had reason to snub Peng Liyuan on principle, or understand and support Michelle’s decision to put family before government, or object to Michelle’s absence from the summit, they have all devoted more of their attention to Michelle. With this maneuver, she has stolen the limelight from Peng Liyuan. This is very apparent to Chinese mainlanders. Additionally, Michelle’s absence from the summit did provide Peng Liyuan with another stage, but it definitely cut her performance time short. Without ever sharing the stage and getting cast into the shadow, Michelle avoided having to compete for the position of number one. As a woman, this can be seen as her greatest success.

Thirdly, Michelle’s move has defended the independence and respect of American housewives. Currently, there is no need to submissively play a part or hide disharmony, even if it causes some unpleasant embarrassment to the family.

As a woman, as well as a loving wife and mother, Michelle has not suffered any disadvantages, and has even gained more media attention. However, as first lady, there is still much to be regretted in her actions. Especially if the summit discussions do not end ideally, eastern people will think in the eastern way that the truth of the situation lies in the details, and that perhaps the U.S. never sincerely prepared for or entered the summit discussions. Even if the summit has little to do with international politics, this has still greatly reduced Michelle’s aura in the public’s eye as a career woman and first lady.

If this is the case, Michelle still has the chance to do better. Even if she does not act according to the script, she can take the stage under her own terms. If she does not meet Peng Liyuan at the summit, she can meet her at another place; if she doesn’t meet her at the beginning of the summit, she can meet her at the end. She could also send gifts, expressing her regret, or invite Peng Liyuan to meet elsewhere in the U.S., taking a trip like old friends. Even though this gesture is not likely to happen, it would be the ideal way to balance out her absence from the summit. After all, Michelle is not just a woman, but also the first lady of the United States.