1. Bitter Brother wrote:

Not to say this isn’t touching, but am I the only American not enraptured in all this adulation? I’m just glad all this emotional s@#% has culminated and Obama can go to work. Please…no more Obama and Michelle romance in 09′(throwing up on myself).

2. Marc Lamont Hill wrote:

cosign

3. Blaxx wrote:

If he wasn’t the leader of the free world and didn’t have an important job to do, I wouldn’t mind it but I hear you. However, I love witnessing black love. I can’t tell you the last time I saw a black couple walking hand in hand and openly showing their affection like Barack and Michelle Obama (that includes myself but 2 of my last 3 girlfriends [including the current one] are not black and the other one wasn’t into PDAs). However there was a couple on the train with me yesterday that looked like they wanted to challenge for the title…but that might have had to do with what day it was. People were HAPPY yesterday, I had random people coming up to me starting random conversation with me all day. Never did it have anything to do with Obama or the Inauguration, they were just happy to be black and to see other blacks that were also happy to be black.

4. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

This was so beautiful. When have you ever seen a black couple so in love broadcasted on national/international tv? We havent seen black love like this since the Huxtables. I kept looking at the tv thinking, ‘they’re just like me!’. I’ve never seen a political couple exude love like they do. Bill & Hilary didnt do it, and neither did GW and Laura. This is something new and refreshing — just like her lemongrass suit.

I hope this inspires black men to appreciate and love their black women more. Yall dont have to ‘crossover’ or get the trophy wife just because you’ve made it. There are plenty of beautiful black REAL sistas out there that are willing to stand by your side and support you as you make history in your own ways. . . .

5. ChgoSista wrote:

Wow, Bitter Brother. Huh….

6. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

I know ChgoSista. Bitter Brother is sounding real bitter this morning. He and Kanye both need hugs today. :/

7. Blaxx wrote:

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Ray & Samara are into the sappyness. Just for the record, I don’t like the term ‘crossover’. I think relationships and love is about finding someone you care deeply for and makes you happy. I hate that I get madd side-eye from black girls when I’m out with my Cuban girlfriend. What’s the problem? We found each other before any black women found me or I found them so why can’t y’all be happy that I’m happy.

8. Bitter Brother wrote:

Let me clarify why this spectacle doesn’t engender poetic, romantic sentiment in me. Well… because it already made me mushy the first 50 times their love has been dramatized on tv, radio, print media, etc. You don’t find it problematic that more people are familiar with where he and Michelle met than his policy. It overshadows what we, as citizens, should focus on.

9. Ced wrote:

Bitter and LAMONT,
You two are so something that I can’t even think of the word (help please). With everything on TV, (BET, MTV, VH1 “of Love”), all this “bitches and hoes” shit that I know Lamont complains about, the couple of times we have an excellent representative of love in our community(the only one in the public right now), and niggas start HATING!!!

Blaxx I echo your sentiments about having the hispanic gf because mine is puertorican. And I get the worst stares because I’m 6′4″ 260 and she’s…………5′3″ 125. Niggas be hating though!!

10. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

We are far from sappy. We’re more like George and Weezy with a dash of Claire and Cliff. We keep it light and fun and enjoy being with each other.

BUT, back to the main topic: I have to stand up for my sistas out there that are constantly loosing their black soul mates to other races. I think Chris Rock summed it up best – Black men can go out and get anybody they want — even Rose Odonnell. But what does a Black Woman want with a white guy? Who’s she gonna date? George from Seinfield?

11. Ced wrote:

We don’t like people stereotyping black people, so don’t do it to whites. All white people are not the same. How do you feel with someone saying, “What does a Black man want with a Black woman? Who’s he gonna date? Omarosa from the Apprentice??”

lol@me

12. Blaxx wrote:

Ced, I respect your opinion and your right to voice them but Dr. Hill’s name is not LAMONT. Refer to him as Marc or Dr. Hill or don’t address him at all. People don’t come up into your spot and address you by something that’s not your name (like Pussy Ass Bitch Nigga) so don’t do it here.

13. Ced wrote:

Fuck you bitch nigga. How bout that shit?

14. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

Ced, you’re way out of line. insteading of lol’ing @ yourself, you need to check yourself.

15. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

Bitter Brother, I think we get the point that we as citizens know what our focus should be. But I think it makes it better that you can actually believe and identify with the person (or couple) that is leading our country. Even when Bush was in office, we still all had a civic responsibility. But his lackadaisical attitude reflected in many Americans. Now we have a president and a first lady who has energy, hope, and genuine love. That only makes the pot sweeter and encourages us citizens to emmulate those same qualities.

16. ~JJG~ wrote:

I have to cosign with Blaxx and Mrs. Rivers, and give a standing ovation to black love. I too thought it was beautiful. I think many of us (crossing fingers, lol) in the Shop are intelligent enough to distinguish the difference between President Obama’s affection towards his wife and his impending public policy. I do acknowledge that this may not be true for the masses, but give our President time, people will rebuke him soon if he does not live up to his promises. Remember, they loved Bush once.

17. ChgoSista wrote:

I mean, the most prominent and powerful couple in the world showing that they love each other–geez–what is this world coming to? Shame on you, Barack & Michelle Obama!!

18. timaree wrote:

i thought this video was heart-warming. the song was perfect, the little spin was adorable, they’re just precious.

19. Clifton Harrison wrote:

Yeah. Cosign anybody that’s happy to see Mr. President and our First Lady. Especially when the version of love for black people that’s has been pushed to the mainstream is flavor of love, new york trys to find love, real and chance find love, and now Ray J is trying to find love.

So I’m not tryna hear anybody that’s talking about the Prez and the misses being on TV too much.

Black folk can’t never appreciate shit…smh

20. ~JJG~ wrote:

And on another note…I don’t have a problem with interracial dating. I only have a problem when black men feel the need to validate their reasons for dating outside their race by belittling black women.

Mrs. Rivers asked, “what does a Black Woman want with a white guy?” I think this is a question that many single black woman ask themselves when we are encouraged to date outside our race. Mrs. Rivers only asked the question aloud. I go back and forth with this. I told God I was open to dating outside my race, while fervently praying that my life partner/husband will be a black man. I ask myself if I can accept my white boy always wearing American Eagle and Abercrombie and Fitch; painting his body on game day; and wearing a sweater with khaki shorts and flip flops in the winter (the white boys do that down south). LOL! I don’t think so. And of course the dilemma: who’s going to grease and twist my hair at night? Will he understand why I wear a scarf to bed? And when was the last time you seen a white boy with full lips? LOL! Ok, ok…I’m done lamenting.

I think the difference between black man and women when it comes to interracial dating is that black men simply love women (all shapes, sizes, hues, and etc.) and black women simply love BLACK men, not just men in general. I could be wrong, but this is true for me.

21. Joe wrote:

Where’s the love for Etta James? I want to hear Etta James. Give me my Etta James! A duet would have been fitting…

22. Clifton Harrison wrote:

I think you are right in that assessment JJG. And of course, nothing applies to every single black man or woman. But my question is, why do you “simply love Black men” and not men in general?

23. Bitter Brother wrote:

Ced,

I hear you, but how many doses of the Obama’s melodrama do you need to slake your thirst for seeing BLACK love? Love is love. Are the Obamas your only source? Sad! From the mouth of the contemporary sage Common: If I don’t like, I don’t like it.It doesn’t mean that I’m hatin. I just want the man to get to work, and for America to kick it’s addiction to this presidential reality show!

Mrs. Rivers,

Point taken.

JJG,

I said most people, certainly not folks here although that is arguable. My self-generated statistic: 70% of Americans are below nominal intelligence. Believe it please!

24. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

the big dick Clif, it’s the big dick…. j/k

i agree with JJG to a certain extent, although, if brad pitt, george clooney, or shea labouf was to holla, they might just get the drawers….and then some.

i think for black women, it’s more of a comfort thing and identity issue. it’s like some white men and men of other races, just don’t get the black woman in her entirety. i do believe men of all races love us and are curious…but they just don’t get us, shit, i feel blk men don’t get us either, but they’re close enough…

Me personally, i feel there is nothing like the black man….NOTHING. and i sometimes wish that brothas felt the same way about us sistas….

25. ~JJG~ wrote:

Bitter Brother, “70% of Americans are below nominal intelligence,” Oooh I believe it!

26. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

i completely jacked up one of my future baby’s daddy’s name…
i meant “shia labeouf”

27. ChgoSista wrote:

Bitter Brother, for me, it isn’t that the Obamas are some people’s ONLY visible/real example of “black love”, it’s that this man is THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and his adoration for his wife/kids is on a global stage for all the world to see. For ME, that’s why I’m so “ga-ga” about it. It simply feels good. And the First Lady’s chocolate skin just sweetens the pot!!!!!

You can look at it this way, too: Many/lots of “other” folks ONLY GET TO SEE BLACK PEOPLE/COUPLES on TV anyway, so…you know–ya know where I’m going with this??

28. ~JJG~ wrote:

WYLTK, you are too funny! Yeah, there are few well known white boys (usually the ones with dark hair and skin) that can be booed! LOL!

Hmm Clif, let me count the ways. All I know is black men. My daddy is black-east Indian, and my 4 brothers are black, hence the most influential men in my life are Black men. I love the black man’s strength, intelligence, protection, physique, cool-ass-swag, spirit of perseverance, reverence for God, display of fatherhood, love for their mamas and wives, honor for the ancestors and on and on! I also love the fact that the shades of black men are so diverse. They range from tan-white to blue black.

There are times when I am ready to let the black man GO. When those times surface I will have to remember what I just wrote. LOL!

29. Clifton Harrison wrote:

….well JJG…I can’t be mad at that! haha

30. DCI74 wrote:

I’m not in the least bit bothered by the attention their relationship is getting and frankly I hope to see more. I hope First Lady Michelle ends up pregnant within the next 4 years and there is an infant baby boy in the White House. I can’t even fathom how giving attention to a loving couple is somehow a bad thing or some kind of distraction from the job at hand. Didn’t Essence magazine have an article about how some black people think marriage is a “white thing?” What could possibly be wrong with being exposed to the polar opposite that in fact there are loving black couples all around the world? There are far too many images of the struggling single black woman raising her kids alone so much so that it’s now in mainstream advertising from food (KFC) to toys (Fisher Price).

I can still remember growing up and being considered odd because I not only knew my father but low and behold my parents were and still are married, so to see the Obamas doing the simple mundane relationship stuff completely warms my heart. We live in a society where we’re inundated with people changing partners like socks, many of us can easily rattle off who Jennifer Lopez has been involved with over the years but you’re bothered by images of a happy loving couple? Makes no sense to me at all. Maybe, just maybe seeing the Obamas will motivate some people to take more stock in their own relationships instead of treating it like an amusement park ride, few moments of pleasure and on to the next.

31. natural nubian wrote:

AWWWWWWWWE HELLLLLLL NAW! DC IS PREACHIN’!!!!!!

my bad, i meant “cosign DC”

32. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

PREACH DC!!!

33. DCI74 wrote:

I’m just trying o offer some balance Sammy you know, I mean there are so many other things to be upset about like hmmmm I don’t know Gaza maybe??

And hold up, I just noticed what you said Bitter Brother “I just want the man to get to work…”

Are you serious? What in the hell do you think he’s doing while we’re online looking at this video right now?? You act like this is a live feed or something. He just started the job yesterday and has at least 4 years of work to do, damn man how impatient can you possibly be? I know I’m impatient but that’s just ridiculous for real.

34. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

“I hope First Lady Michelle ends up pregnant within the next 4 years and there is an infant baby boy in the White House.”

That’s so crazy, just yesterday as they were having thier first dance, i said the exact same thing to my girlfriend while chatting on the phone. DC i knew we were soulmates

35. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

“I hope First Lady Michelle ends up pregnant within the next 4 years and there is an infant baby boy in the White House.”

That’s so crazy, just yesterday as they were having thier first dance, i said the exact same thing to my girlfriend while chatting on the phone. DC i knew we were soulmates!

36. Clifton Harrison wrote:

Right DC…after all of yesterday (and just in general), I wouldn’t have been mad if he woulda took a day or two off!!

37. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

JJG, hells yeah. I’ve seen some delectable white boys in my day….i like the ones that tan well..i don’t think i could do the pasty Garrett type…

38. ~JJG~ wrote:

DC, I’m feeling that post!

And LOL @ WYLTK

39. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

eh, dont get me wrong, there are a few white boys that are cute eye candy. But nothin beats a brotha with a deep voice, strong muscles, and smooth colored skin. Even the skinny brothas have a nice pair of arms and a butt made out of steel. I’ve never seen a nonblack man wow me with his strength – Its just not possible.

40. DCI74 wrote:

Lol you are the best wyltk, are you FB yet??

Hey Clif let’s just rememeber that Bush spent almost 1000 days of his administration between Camp David and his Texas ranch, that’s damn near 3 out 8 years on vacation but Obama took his oath yesterday and people are already complaining that he should get to work. Smh!

41. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

thanx DC, i’m almost afraid to ask what “FB” means…you like to make me squirm…you play too darn much!

42. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

thanx DC, i’m almost afraid to ask what “FB” means…you like to make me squirm…you play too darn much! LOL

43. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

Mrs. Rivers, you must not have seen Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise…sheeeeeeeeeeeesh! good lord sweet baby jesus!

44. DCI74 wrote:

Lol there was a typo in there. I meant to say are you on FB (Facebook) yet?

Word I make you squirm??? Hmmmm lol

45. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

and on some calm shit, i thought Elvis was fine as hell…the FAT one…

46. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

LOL yes DC, you give me butterflies…

oh i see, yeah i’ve activated an account, but i can’t figure that crap out. i’m so accustomed to my myspace…i dunno, i’ll sit down and figure that crap out one day…i’m so lazy sometimes.

you play too much…

47. Nubian King wrote:

Michelle’s got the vapors (old school)

48. ChgoSista wrote:

DC, I had been suppressing my cyberlove for you–you know–outta respect for WYLTK, but I’m sorry, I gotta say it again: I ‘LOVE’ YOU!!!!!!!

49. Clifton Harrison wrote:

you sho is lazy wyltk…i bet you still ain’t listened to a song yet huh? step in the booth atleast? don’t worry…i’ll wait (c) katt (krazy ass) williams

50. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

ahhhhh you airin’ me out in the ’shop Clif??? LOL.
first off i tried to find the songs, but i couldn’t.
secondly i haven’t step into the booth yet, but i am writing, playa!

yes, you best believe Ms. Chong is worth the wait. gotta make sure it’s enough food to feed everyone off this plate. you can’t serve the word, before it’s done cooking. i have to sift through, and stir the stew, before i start booking. but sit tight, my recipes are right, plus the cake gon be fat, by the way it’s looking…

hahaha.

51. Clifton Harrison wrote:

hahahahahahahaha….ok “Ms. Chong”…

52. wouldn't you like to know? wrote:

LOL “Ms. Chong’s” curried wonton is almost done brewing…

haha.

53. DCI74 wrote:

Lol @ wyltk

Well thank you Chgo, ahh cyber-love is a wonderful thing.

54. Miriam wrote:

Go ahead Mrs. Rivers! That’s exactly how I felt. You know nobody knew either of them back then, but they knew exactly who they were- their love sustained the motivation to motivate others. It is very beautiful. Although, I have to say, I have seen love like this before, between all kinds of couples

55. Miriam wrote:

I’m happy for you Blaxx…lol. If you are happy that is all that matters, people will see your love. Even if they might not, God does if it is true. That is all that matters.

56. Miriam wrote:

But, Mrs. Rivers is right– there are some black people who “crossover” (meaning they feel that a certain type of “race” other than their own or that they should stay away from particularly dark-skinned brothers and sisters, because being with them might resurface whatever insecurities they have about “blackness” planted by society or “bring them down”– there are also class dimensions as well). I think people should interrogate their motives when they get into relationships. It is very important. If you love whoever you are with, and all insecurities you try to put aside, and your motive is to learn from them, as much as they learn from you, to be vulnerable, and to strengthen your relationship, then it could be love lol.

57. Miriam wrote:

JJG, your comments are a strange type of funny…lol. black women remain static…ummm, not really. people love people who love them back for who they are. period.

58. anita wrote:

Here’s the girl in me: THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS I’VE EVER SEEN… It’s love. Bill and Hillary were a business, and George and Laura seemed to like each other but this is love. What a great witness to what we can all be a part of, a relationship that seems effortless yet meaningful. It’s so rare, and yet so appropriate.

59. ~JJG~ wrote:

Miriam, my comments don’t pertain to ALL black women, but the women I know (and I know a range, from the hood, to the boardroom), don’t want no white boy. It is the older black women in my life that encourage me to date outside my race (maybe they know something I don’t know), but I’m just not there yet. My sentiment could change and there maybe a white man out there that could knock me off of my feet, and if he does, I think black men everywhere should mourn my lost (lol).

60. ~JJG~ wrote:

*loss…

61. james wrote:

presidential policy may very well stem from a person’s love life, his love of life, his overt love of family, and the future he wants to provide his family.

as for the interracial dating discussion, y’all do remember that barack is of mixed parentage? i don’t see how limiting your potential love interests could do you any good in life.

my filipino wife, whose father was a bit of a player–to put it modestly–likes to joke that she married a white guy because the filipino guys she was dating might have turned out to be her brother. (but let the record reflect that neither of us were looking to date outside of our race; it just happened one day–and no, i didn’t get hazel through the mail; she was born in chicago. my wife’s sisters, however, never date white or filipino guys, they always prefer black guys. in fact, i have a brother-in-law who is black.)

one other thing you may want to note: biologically speaking, children of exogamous (thanks for that word marc) relationships seem to produce offspring with a much better gene pool–and are usually very good looking children, at least in the case of my children.

62. james wrote:

slight correction: (i)one other thing you may want to note: biologically speaking, children of exogamous (thanks for that word marc) relationships seem to possess a much better gene pool–and are usually very good looking children, at least in the case of my children.(i/)

63. Miriam wrote:

james,

you have issues

64. Miriam wrote:

that was in reference to “the one other thing we should note.” Sorry, after reading that, you sound like you are trying a social experiment.

I think part of the problem is that the meaning “race” has transformed so significantly throughout history and has come to be confused with culture. there are filipino men who might consider themselves black.

If we really know our history, then we will know, everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) is of mixed heritage (heritage- in its dynamic meaning- has little to do with race as we have now defined it- if there is a definition anymore…lol). In fact, as much as race has become part of our dialogue, we have failed to properly interrogate its meaning.

Race is not necessarily biology; sometimes we have confused those elements of racial construction (what has become hue and its cultural and economic attributions) with cultural heritage (which extends beyond the physical display of genes or phenotype).

I say this not to downplay the historical significance and reality of race, but to interrogate what is often left undisclosed about the MEANING and TRANSFORMATION of the word “race.”

65. Miriam wrote:

I apologize for saying you have issues james- that was inappropriate, so I am sorry. I have seen too many times how the construction of race and the language of biological superiority and inferiority (”good looking and not good looking”) has distorted the image of humanity for so many generations of people.

Strange thing is, it is not only whites who do that- the black dark skin/light skin divide also happens within our community because of the construction of white supremacy and its legacy within our own communities as we struggled with the realities of economic and cultural assimilation.

A video that I recommend people watch aired on MSNBC (at Howard) a while back about the impact of these racial constructions on children’s self-esteem and lives – the Kenneth doll test and a brilliant dialogue is here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24076709#24076709

66. james wrote:

miriam, there might be a filipino man who adopts certain cultural characteristics/stereotypes often associated with black men, but i think that that filipino man would be very confused to identify himself on a census report as being african/black.

67. DCI74 wrote:

james I think miriam is saying that the line of what we consider race and culture are so blurred that than way a census sheet is filled out isn’t necessarily a complete reflection of the way a person see’s oneself.

It makes me think of one of cousins who’s mother is mexican and father is black but based on physical appearance he looks distinctly Mexican yet he completely identifies as a black man and if you would only need to spend 5 minutes around him to get that. But he understands how people view him based solely on initial sight and how they treat him is sometimes based on their expectation of who they think he is not who he actually is. Being around him an other members of my extended family makes me really think and redefine what I thought it meant to be black, I understand their truly is no monolithic definition of blackness. Race is social construct but we are all in one way or another mixed whether it be through ethnicity or culture.

68. ~JJG~ wrote:

I once told a Dominican associate that she was black and she had a fit. She vehemently told me that she was Dominican and not black. Ok, but she relaxes her hair and her skin color is dark. She looks like a black woman. I tried to explain to her that her ethnicity/culture was Hispanic but her race was black. I told her that she had linkage to African. She was not trying to hear it.

I later had a discussion about this with a girlfriend who had a similar encounter with a Hispanic friend. We concluded that we (blacks) are the only group of people that deny our racial makeup based on our ethnicity, culture, and land of residence. You will never hear an Italian, Irishman, Englishman, and etc. say that they are not white because they are from a specific place. They accept that they are white.

I cannot recall the number of times that people have told me that my race is Jamaican. Are you serious? I’ve been told that I am not black and that I don’t look Jamaican. What is that supposed to mean? Hmmm!

69. james wrote:

no dci74, despite prevailing theories, i don’t believe race is entirely a social construct; for most people, it’s biological and genetic, and the social construct is the way you identify with your biology, genes, class, ethnicity and/or culture.

have you ever seen the movie “breaking away?” it’s a classic. the main character has convinced himself he’s italian, but he’s really just some dude from indiana who can ride a bike really well. by the end of the movie he falls in love with a french girl and suddenly he’s doing all things french; but, in reality, he’s still just some white dude from indiana who can still ride a bike very well.

70. james wrote:

jjg, despite your own curiousity, discussing a person’s ethnicity with them may not be considered terribly polite.

my wife, being filipino, has had to get used to the constant questions from well-meaning strangers or patients (she’s a nurse–yes, she’s a living cliche, a filipino nurse)–questions like, because she’s not white, what are you? where are you from? she would generally answer politely, but was never terribly thrilled to be discussing her identity with strangers and patients, folks who don’t generally ask those same kinds of intrusive questions of her white counterparts.

perhaps she’s gotten used to these conversation starters by now, but i know it used to bother her very much when she was younger; she would say, quite frankly, later on, in private to me, i’m an american, goddamn it! what the fuck do they think i am?

71. ~JJG~ wrote:

James, it had nothing to do with curiosity. We were having an open-honest discussion and we were on the verge of becoming friends (lol), so James your assessment does not apply to me.

Additionally, I too have been asked ALL my life about my racial makeup. I have been asked if I am white and black; chinese and black; hawaiian and black; filipino and black; indian and black; and so on. I am of east-Indian, panamanian, black, and white descent. I never really know what to answer (because I don’t want to confuse anyone) and when I tell people that I am just black, I get looked at cross-eyed.