Nomalanga: The Over-reaction To Michelle Obama’s Semi-Nude Depiction
By Nomalanga Mhlauli-Moses
This past week I have tried really really hard to ignore the numerous news posts and commentaries about the depiction of First Lady, Michelle Obama, as a half naked slave woman on the cover of a Spanish magazine.
For the record, I find the “artist’s” work both insulting and despicable. The notion that the high level of respect we should all have for the wife of a sitting president should be briefly suspended to accommodate her “art” is both ridiculous and serves to show her level of arrogance and ignorance.
Aside from the fact that Karine Percheron-Daniels used a sitting First Lady in her so called art, we can also assume that she created the image without permission from Mrs. Obama or at least the courtesy to let her know she would be displayed half naked on a magazine cover. This is something that many have seemed to gloss over but to me it does not seem all that far from a rape.
When a woman decides to be naked with a man, as long as they are two consenting adults, the law does not generally find any fault with that. If however, the man used force, there is grounds for legal charges against him. The key elements are her consent and his force.
My intention is not to ever trivialize rape, but to show to what extend Percheron-Daniels’ actions violated the First Lady.
Applying this to Karine Percheron-Daniels depiction of Mrs Obama, Mrs Obama presumably never gave consent and was therefore forced to appear half naked for the whole world to see.
On her website, Karine Percheron-Daniels says,
“With my art, and particularly with my’ famous nudes’ series I try to offer an alternative unexpected reality to allow the viewer to re-examine his unique subjective experience and general understanding and view the world and people in a different way.”
To me, this statement falls far short of justifying the so called artist’s actions. With all that being said though, the way that many have reacted, by giving Percheron-Daniels a lot of media attention, is the exact opposite of what she deserves. Up until this past week, I had never seen any of her art, nor had I even ever heard of her and I suspect that’s the case for most of us.
Now, because of our tremendous reaction, or better put, overreaction, Percheron-Daniels is enjoying her 15 minutes of fame. As hard as it may be, it is my strong opinion that when things like this happen, we should just ignore them and keep going about our business.
Black people in America have been degraded to the one button that anyone can push and is assured of a huge reaction that will give them exactly what they were looking for-a spotlight.
Maybe if we stop overeating, people like Percheron-Daniels will stop pushing our buttons.
Nomalanga helps Black Women thrive in their lives and careers. She is a Social Commentator, an Editor at Your Black World , Assistant Professor of Professional Studies and the reigning Mrs Botswana. Visit Nomalanga’s blog at successfulblackwoman.com
14 Responses to Nomalanga: The Over-reaction To Michelle Obama’s Semi-Nude Depiction
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Using n word is one thing but rape is something different. A slander suit is in order. Or something.
Shut up Nomalanga. You dont know what you’re talking about. You have no experience or wisdom to lead anyone but your own african botswana people.
Anyone with a brain should know that this picture of michele, the trayvon martin case, etc., are nothing but smokescreens to detract black voters from the real issues of jobs, violence, crime, illegal immigration and drugs that are destroying our community.
Nomalanga. You dont know what you’re talking about. You have no experience or wisdom to lead anyone but your own african botswana people.
Everyone with a brain should know that this picture of michele, the trayvon martin case, etc., are nothing but smokescreens to detract black voters from the real issues of jobs, violence, crime, illegal immigration and drugs that are destroying our community. The democrats do this stupid mess all the time.
This is a finger wagging in her face. Violence. Time for Barak and Michelle to represent and stand up to assaults to African humanity.
Omg! A forcible rape? Bizarre analogy!
In as much as I enjoyed some aspects of this article, artistic licence in contemporary western culture has legitimized this artist’s position. Yes she has created a name for herself whichever way you look at it. To some it’s a notoriety to others especially in the art world she is getting a mention, which for any artist is very welcome.
This is sooooooo disrespectful. It is sad because those who belittle others feel less than little themselves. Tell the artist to get treatment for low self esteem and this will not be tolerated. A summitt to discuss the implications of this is warrented. Get the UN to call an immediate session. Our daughter’s self esteem world wide is challenged.
Not fame. I N F A M Y. I say Barak says enough is enough. AS much as he has done for white America this is too much. I say resign but before he does grant the forty
acres promised but as a large parcel of land to build “the new world africa”. Where we can have our own and celebrate and cultivate our God given diversity. Give europeans and natives and all ethnic groups a place called home to nurture all young to be respecting adults. Our self esteem cannot be supported by those who have none and use us as a crutch for lack therof. He would be one of the greatest leaders in history and perhaps the richest spiritually and otherwise. This is the real destiny of America to be a beacon for diversity in harmony. Our ancestry is the only source of self esteem for all including Europeans. I think history will villianize him if he continues in the current direction. This is really survival, for humans have too much technology for destruction for peace and harmony not to prevail.
The quote from the artist clearly has a male audience in mind.
Art is too subjective to base an OBJECTIVE discussion on.
WOW, it never ends, huh? Has this ‘so called’ artist ever posed for a nude or partially nude self-portrait (to be seen by million or at the very least sever people she does or does not know)??? I seriously doubt it. Like someone else mentioned, she is a local nobody, merely trying to make a name for herself (which sadly, she has). I totally and utterly agree with many who say there should be some serious, repercussions for those bullying cowards, who feel it’s their god given, and/or constitutional right to constantly invent new and creative ways, to insult and belittle our nation’s leader every chance they get. These sad, sick pathetic, individuals seem to get bolder and more disrespectful with every passing day. However, it is also our silence (in particular, that of our “leaders”)that allows these low-life, bottom feeders to continuously grow in numbers. Furthermore, I strongly believe that had our leader been MORE of the “European persuasion”, many if not all of these vicious attacks- ESPECIALLY FROM THOSE “SO CALLED” PATRIOTIC INDIVIDUALS- would be viewed as acts of treason. Bottom line, we all need to get on the same page as a people & a nation.
Garbage IN and Garbage OUT!! IGNORE
This country is going down. We have no morals and no expectations for what is right. The Lord will bless the righteous with favor.