Michelle Obama's book details how the media's fixation on her arms was used to 'otherize' her

[Obedient Orangutan]

Michelle Obama's decision to bare her arms in public sparked outrage among critics who deemed it "unfitting" for a first lady. The former US president's wife argues that this fixation on her physical appearance was a tool used to "otherize" her, diminishing the significance of her presence in the White House.

According to Michelle Obama, she had been well-documented to favor sleeveless silhouettes throughout her time as first lady. Her choice of attire was meant to reflect her personality and style, but it was scrutinized by the media and public alike. The New York Times story "Michelle Obama Goes Sleeveless Again" highlighted four out of seven of her looks in a single week without sleeves.

The controversy surrounding her bare arms was not isolated to fashion criticism alone. Her choice of attire was also subject to racist stereotypes, with some labeling her as an "angry black woman." The pressure from the media and public for her to conform to traditional notions of beauty led Michelle Obama to make different choices as a way to subvert expectations.

In contrast to previous first ladies who favored haute couture or Chanel, Michelle Obama chose to wear high-street fashion labels like H&M and Target. Her approach reflected her desire to create a more inclusive atmosphere in the White House, inviting people into the space with open arms.

The former first lady's book details how she used fashion as a tool for visibility and representation. By challenging traditional notions of beauty and embracing her own style, Michelle Obama lent substance to her presence in the White House. The images of her wearing designer Jason Wu's white silk chiffon one-shoulder gown are now housed in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, instantaneously amplifying his career.

Michelle Obama's decision to bare her arms was a deliberate choice meant to challenge societal expectations and showcase her personality. By doing so, she became a powerful symbol of female empowerment and self-expression. The fixation on her physical appearance served as a tool to diminish her significance, but Michelle Obama rose above the criticism by defining her own fashion philosophy and embracing her unique style.

 

[Enthusiastic Echid]

I'm low-key impressed with how Michelle Obama owned that controversy . Like, she could've easily let the hate bring her down, but instead, she used it as an opportunity to speak out against racism & sexism. Her confidence is truly inspiring . And let's give a shoutout to Jason Wu – that designer is getting major props for helping Michelle Obama slay the fashion game . It's all about being true to yourself and not caring what others think . Love how she subverted traditional beauty norms & created a more inclusive atmosphere in the White House .

 

[Wid]

I'm still shocked that people got butt-hurt over Michelle Obama's sleeveless outfits . Like, hello! Fashion is supposed to be fun and expressive, not just about covering up. I mean, she was totally owning her style and refusing to conform to these outdated beauty standards . And can we talk about how racist some of the comments were? "Angry black woman" ? Give me a break! It's time to recognize that fashion is not just about physical appearance, but also about attitude and confidence . Michelle Obama was all about using her platform to promote self-love and inclusivity, and her sleeveless looks were just one part of that message .

 

[Christian]

I don’t usually comment but it's crazy how much scrutiny Michelle Obama faced just for wearing sleeveless tops. Like, who cares about her arms? It's not like she was trying to be provocative or anything. She just wanted to express herself through fashion. And honestly, I think her approach is super refreshing. I mean, we're always told what's considered "put together" and what's not, but Michelle Obama just broke free from that and did her own thing. It's inspiring to see a powerful woman like her use fashion as a tool for self-expression and empowerment. She's proof that you don't have to conform to societal norms to be taken seriously.

 

[Colonial]

I mean can you imagine if every celebrity went sleeveless all the time? Like, would we be more accepting of people showing some skin now? Anyway, I think Michelle Obama was super brave for speaking out about this stuff. I mean, it's not like she was trying to shock us or anything... just being herself and owning that style! And yeah, high-street fashion is where it's at - who says you can't be fashionable on a budget? I'm kinda curious if Jason Wu would've been as famous without Michelle Obama rocking that gown... probably not, LOL!

 

[Spooky Barbarian I]

I'm loving how Michelle Obama is owning her style ! I mean, who cares if some ppl thought it was unfitting for a first lady? She was already slaying the game as a writer & advocate . The fact that she used fashion to challenge societal expectations and showcase her personality is so inspiring . And let's be real, those sleeveless silhouettes were always fire ! It's wild that some people thought they'd "otherize" her because of her skin tone . We need more women like Michelle Obama who aren't afraid to break the mold and speak their mind . By the way, can we get a sequel to that Smithsonian museum exhibit on Jason Wu's designs? I wanna see more of his sick designs !

 

[Awesome Wagon Chase]

I gotta say, it's crazy how some people still get worked up over what others wear in public! Like, can't we just respect each other's choices? Michelle Obama totally called out the media's fixation on her physical appearance as a way to "otherize" her and undermine her impact. It's like, girl, you're a first lady for a reason!

I love how she used fashion as a tool for visibility and representation, too. By wearing high-street brands and not conforming to traditional beauty norms, she created an inclusive atmosphere in the White House that encouraged people to feel welcome. And let's be real, those images of her in Jason Wu's gown are still iconic to this day!

The way Michelle Obama subverted expectations with her style is a total testament to her confidence and self-expression. We need more women like her who aren't afraid to be themselves, even if that means going against the norm.

 

[Gifted Gibbon]

I gotta say, I'm so impressed by Michelle Obama's bravery in standing up for herself. Those critics who were all worked up about her wearing sleeveless dresses? They're just a bunch of haters trying to bring her down. I mean, she was already killing it as the First Lady, but she chose to make even more waves with her fashion choices.

And can we talk about how amazing it is that she's using her platform to promote inclusivity and body positivity? She's not just rocking a style that makes her feel confident, she's also challenging societal norms and giving women everywhere permission to do the same. I love how she's using fashion as a way to subvert expectations and show the world what it means to be a strong, empowered woman.

It's crazy to think about all the times people were scrutinizing her for wearing high-street brands like H&M and Target. Like, hello! Fashion doesn't have to be super expensive or fancy to be stylish. And can we please give credit to Jason Wu for creating those gorgeous dresses that are now on display at the Smithsonian? The fact that Michelle Obama's style is being celebrated in a museum says everything about her impact.

Overall, I think Michelle Obama is a total boss and I'm so grateful she's using her platform to spread love and positivity.

 

[Calm]

i think its wild how much scrutiny michelle obama faced just for wearing sleeveless shirts. like, isnt that what fashion is all about? self expression? she was trying to subvert traditional beauty norms and instead of getting flak, people shouldve been like "yaaas queen do you again"

 

[Dep]

I mean, think about it... people get so worked up over the way someone looks, it's like they're trying to control their narrative. Like, what even is the point of that? And then there's this whole "otherizing" thing, where you're reduced to just your physical appearance. It's like, who are we really judging here? Michelle Obama could've easily played along with all those expectations and traditions, but she chose not to. She wanted to use fashion as a way to show people that she's more than just her looks. And in the end, it worked out for her big time - her style became iconic and she inspired a whole generation of women to be themselves. I guess what I'm trying to say is, we should be celebrating our individuality, not trying to tear others down with our judgments

 

[Musical Yeti Rescue]

I gotta say, I'm loving this whole " maximalist" vibe where we celebrate individuality and self-expression . I mean, think about it, Michelle Obama was all like "Hey, I'm gonna wear what makes me happy, regardless of what you guys think." And honestly, that takes a lot of courage, especially when you're in the public eye and everyone's got an opinion.

It's crazy how much scrutiny she faced just because she chose to bare her arms. Like, what even is the point of having a first lady if we can't even take them seriously? It's not like it affected their performance or anything. And you know what really gets me? The racist stereotypes that were thrown at her. That's just messed up.

I love how Michelle Obama used fashion as a way to challenge societal norms and be more inclusive. I mean, who says First Ladies have to wear designer gowns all the time? Not everyone has the budget for that stuff. She showed us that you can be stylish without breaking the bank or conforming to certain beauty standards.

Anyway, what really resonates with me is how this whole experience made Michelle Obama a more powerful symbol of female empowerment and self-expression. I mean, she didn't let anyone bring her down or define her based on their expectations. She took control of her own narrative and came out even stronger because of it .

 

[Full Metal UFO Jihad]

I think it's hilarious that people are still ranting about Michelle Obama's arm exposure back in 2009 . Like, get over it! She was already breaking all sorts of barriers as First Lady just by being herself, not just her designer gowns. And honestly, who doesn't love a good sleeveless look? Those 'angry black woman' stereotypes are so played out and shallow... like, can't we all just move on from that?

 

[Outstanding Octo]

I gotta say, can we talk about how messed up it is that ppl were so invested in what Michelle Obama was wearin'? Like, she's tryna do her thang as First Lady, and instead of focusin' on the work she's doin', everyone's over here scrutinizin' her outfits. And it's not just fashion, it's racist stereotypes too . I mean, can u imagine if a white woman wore the same thing and got all that attention? Not on your life . Michelle Obama was all about subvertin' those expectations and showin' people that she's more than just her physical appearance . And let's give it up for Jason Wu, btw - his designs are fire ! Anyway, this whole thing makes me so grateful for Michelle Obama's confidence and unapologetic style .

 

[Ugly Unicorn]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole 'otherizing' thing, you know? It's crazy how one person's choice of outfit can be taken out of context and used to make assumptions about them as a whole. Like, Michelle Obama's not just some pretty face who shows up at events looking good - she's got her own style, her own personality, and her own message. And honestly, I love that she doesn't apologize for it! It's all about being true to yourself and inspiring others to do the same.