Is the Caricature of the First Lady Racist?
Published in Le Figaro
(France) on 15 February 2011
by Véronique Saint-Geours (link to original)
(France) on 15 February 2011
by Véronique Saint-Geours (link to original)
Translated from
by Drue Fergison.
Edited by Amy Wong.
Cartoons are a national sport in the United States. Michelle Obama would undoubtedly have preferred a more glamorous depiction, but her anti-obesity campaign requires her to roll up her sleeves and confront Andrew Breitbart’s caricature of her initiative; frankly, he’s not a fan and is even suspected of racism. How, in fact, might this type of communication escape its creator’s grip and further the First Lady’s enthusiastic campaign?
The First Lady’s campaign is considerably broad, and its developments can be followed in every country. The White House vegetable garden, Walmart, the National Restaurant Association and the Let’s Move campaign all spread the good word. It’s right, strategic and pro-American. Thus it’s rather nice to see humor work its way into the system. Yes, but.
In her NBC interview the First Lady herself had paved the way by admitting that on the night of the Super Bowl party at the White House there were hot dogs, fries and, surely, worse. “If not that night ...”
Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government cartoon is acidic toward her, stereotypical of black American women and seen as racist by African-Americans. It joins Rush Limbaugh’s doubtful jokes about the First Lady and her “butt.”
But it has escaped its author that he could actually promote the First Lady’s message and add credibility to her strategy, even with Americans who are not on her side:
- She is represented not only as not thin but as pudgy. And this is a good identification for American women and their children, one third of whom are obese. If she is also destined for the campaign of which she is spokesperson, it is a good point and she is a woman with hindsight.
- Her curves do not prevent her from being stylish and making do with her body type. She is chic in either jeans or formal dress.
- As head of the household, she bores her husband with her diet suggestions. Many American couples must face this problem. The smaller portion before him shows tiny vegetables while Michelle gorges on her hamburgers.
- And finally, the humor comes from him. His only objective is to be reelected, and he’s greeted by “Shut up and pass the bacon!”
Profiling daily life by placing the Obamas in the role of Mr. and Mrs. Everyone has a greater chance of reaching those who, all too aware that they are not eating as they should, can laugh at the Barack and Michelle’s dietary misadventures. And move beyond the malicious comments of Andrew Breitbart, who remains under surveillance. The huge pointed ears are an unfortunate memory.
The First Lady’s campaign is considerably broad, and its developments can be followed in every country. The White House vegetable garden, Walmart, the National Restaurant Association and the Let’s Move campaign all spread the good word. It’s right, strategic and pro-American. Thus it’s rather nice to see humor work its way into the system. Yes, but.
In her NBC interview the First Lady herself had paved the way by admitting that on the night of the Super Bowl party at the White House there were hot dogs, fries and, surely, worse. “If not that night ...”
Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government cartoon is acidic toward her, stereotypical of black American women and seen as racist by African-Americans. It joins Rush Limbaugh’s doubtful jokes about the First Lady and her “butt.”
But it has escaped its author that he could actually promote the First Lady’s message and add credibility to her strategy, even with Americans who are not on her side:
- She is represented not only as not thin but as pudgy. And this is a good identification for American women and their children, one third of whom are obese. If she is also destined for the campaign of which she is spokesperson, it is a good point and she is a woman with hindsight.
- Her curves do not prevent her from being stylish and making do with her body type. She is chic in either jeans or formal dress.
- As head of the household, she bores her husband with her diet suggestions. Many American couples must face this problem. The smaller portion before him shows tiny vegetables while Michelle gorges on her hamburgers.
- And finally, the humor comes from him. His only objective is to be reelected, and he’s greeted by “Shut up and pass the bacon!”
Profiling daily life by placing the Obamas in the role of Mr. and Mrs. Everyone has a greater chance of reaching those who, all too aware that they are not eating as they should, can laugh at the Barack and Michelle’s dietary misadventures. And move beyond the malicious comments of Andrew Breitbart, who remains under surveillance. The huge pointed ears are an unfortunate memory.
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