Starting Your Dreams Later In Life and Embracing the Detour

Jenee Darden speaking at Creative Mornings I know it's been a while since I've posted anything but that's because of my job. I'm working as a reporter covering Oakland and I host an arts segment on the radio where I get to interview amazing artists from around the Bay Area. Plus I'm publicizing my book  and building my speaking career!  You know what's funny? I thought this would all happen by the time I was 27-30.  Nope. That wasn't God's plan for me. I'm finally beginning to do the things I've wanted to do and I'm almost 40 years old. Some people reading this who are 40 will say 40 is still young. But some younger people reading may think 40 is nearly ancient. But I'm writing this post for those who like me, thought their career and personal dreams would come true much early in life. I'm here to tell you not to give up.  You know, death inspires life. A number of my relatives and friends have passed away, ranging in

Michelle Obama
A Bare Arms Beauty

I thought I was done blogging for the day but I must discuss First Lady Michelle Obama and this bare arm nonsense. To the left is Mrs. Obama's official White House portrait. She looks lovely in her sleeveless black dress accented with a double string of pearls.
I've been reading that some of my fellow Americans find that Mrs. Obama baring her arms is distasteful. She wore sleeveless dresses to the President's address to Congress, the Governors' Dinner, the Gershwin Prize ceremony, etc. Seriously, who cares? I guess that's the only thing people can find "wrong" with her.

Lady O is young, beautiful, smart and sexy without being over the top. Some people can't handle seeing her toned chocolate arms. Mrs. Obama works out just about everyday and if she wants to show her arms, she has every right to. It's not like her breasts are all out or her dresses are short. Mrs. Obama is one of our younger first ladies so she's bringing a more contemporary, energetic fashion style to the White House. People are just jealous. They're probably the same haters who lift the remote control more than a barbell. Trust me I haven't hit the weight machine in a while either but seeing her body inspires me, not create jealousy.

Could this be a racial issue? I don't know. As I said before Lady O is smart, beautiful, and sexy in a classy way. This is not an image we see frequently of black women in the media. Sadly, the only sista I can think of is Claire Huxtable from the Cosby Show and that was 20+ years ago. I think sometimes people are more comfortable seeing black folks, as I like to say, "act in their place"--mammies, gangsters, thugs, prostitutes, buffoons. And let's keep it real, brothas aren't the only ones who find Mrs. Obama attractive. I've heard white men and males of other races call her "beautiful". The fact that her black beauty is being praised across racial lines could be a problem for those who want to keep black skin on the bottom of the beauty hierarchy.

On the other hand this bare arm debate could be the conservatives complaining. Or, maybe it's coming from jealous women with their claws out. All I know is I don't have a job, layoffs are increasing daily, people are losing their homes, both American soldiers and innocent Iraqi people are dying everyday and there is still turmoil in Darfur. But Michelle Obama likes to wear sleeveless dresses. Gasp.

Comments

  1. Who cares how she dresses for portrait? Besides, as you said, she looks professional and and contemporary. I think she looks great from the face down but her face is nothing to write home about.

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  2. I can't believe people are making an issue about her arms. It's refreshing to have someone in the White House that's hip and trendy. What do people want to see another Barbara Bush roaming the halls. GET OVER IT!

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  3. If I had arms like hers, I'd be showing them off too! She does brings a fresh, contemporary look to the WH and she is classy as well!

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  4. She got it going on! Those folks are just so jealous and envious. I want arms like that (working on it). I think beautiful splashes of color in the WHITE House is what's been needed forever! Haters will always hate...it happens when you have low self-esteem.

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