Michelle Obama's...rear?? Are you kidding me?

[MarissaNicole]

But let's not get so outraged when someone says that she has a fat ass. She does.

I guess my issue is that just because she has a curvy ass, doesn't mean she is "fat."

My perspective is also related to the fact that my hips and bottom are going to be the largest part of me whether I am 125 pounds or 150 pounds. So even when I am at a lower weight- and still have a bigger bum, I wouldn't consider myself "fat."

[MrsK]

I agree with the first part, I'm just saying it CAN be both. Black women are the subject of a disproportionate number of comments about butts. It's a racial stereotype that may or may not have been intended on the part of the commenter.

Regardless, it's in bad taste. On top of that, the Washington Post should NEVER have picked it up -- they're just reinforcing the notion that it's acceptable to analyze and deconstruct women's physiques rather than their achievements and actions.

I agree with this. Regardless of his intent, it does invoke a racial stereotype. When I was in law school, a classmate of mine from China innocently told an Orthodox Jewish classmate of mine that he "looked Jewish because of his nose." My Chinese classmate had no idea that he was invoking a racial stereotype. He was terribly embarassed and my Jewish friend took it in stride but everyone that heard it bristled. Sure, there are people of all ethnicities that have large or small noses. But, making a comment about a Jewish person's nose has quiet a different implication due to many years of ethnic stereotyping. Furthermore, the comment is vulgar and has no place in a respectable newspaper.

[scrub-jay]

I'd like a definition of "fat" here. IMHO, it is a negative term and not a medical term (overweight or obese) and it evokes very negative connotations. Using that dramatically changed the tone of the article to evoke emotion, not make a valid point.

[MarissaNicole]

I'd like a definition of "fat" here. IMHO, it is a negative term and not a medical term (overweight or obese) and it evokes very negative connotations. Using that dramatically changed the tone of the article to evoke emotion, not make a valid point.

I definitely think of the term "fat" in a negative context....

[Pollyanna]

Wasn't this in the NYT yesterday? Anyway, I can see how people think she has a big rear but do I think she's fat? No - do I think its racism to make an issue out of this? No. I think all first ladies, wives in important positions, etc. are criticized about something. With Hillary it was her hair and her pant suits with Michelle its her rear end. Do some women have larger rear ends? Yes - are some white and some black? Yes.

Must be a slow news day!

Exactly this

[diggitydot]

I don't associate round asses with "fat".

For some people (like moi) it takes a shit ton of heavy squats to get a round ass. As a matter of fact, DH and I were joking about this the other night right after I finished my CrossFit and he was warming up for his oly weightlifting work-out. He was thrilled to finally have a "weightlifter's ass" after so many years of having a tiny, flat ass.

[scrub-jay]

I don't associate round asses with "fat".

For some people (like moi) it takes a shit ton of heavy squats to get a round ass. As a matter of fact, DH and I were joking about this the other night right after I finished my CrossFit and he was warming up for his oly weightlifting work-out. He was thrilled to finally have a "weightlifter's ass" after so many years of having a tiny, flat ass.

Word. I'll never have a flat ass, ever. But when I'm fit, I love it firm and round. "Fat" is negative to me too.

[MissCrabette]

It's not just her ass. It starts with the tummy. And if you think she's not wearing Spanx (and still looking "curvy"), you're fooling yourselves. Maybe fat was the wrong term. Maybe. But if she's skinny everywhere else except her tummy and ass, what do you call that? Is that not carrying a few extra pounds? I'll bow out now.

[MsSassyBaskets]

Wow. I'm just really sick of the body-snarking on everybody's part. Once again, why are we buying into the idea that it's OK for us to judge this woman's body??

She puts herself out there as a role model for fitness and healthy eating, yes. As far as anyone can tell, she meets those same expectations herself.

Judge whether someone lives a good life and practices what they preach, fine, whatever. Don't judge the genetically determined, meaningless shit they can't control. It's petty and it reflects more on you than on the person you're judging.

[diggitydot]

It's not just her ass. It starts with the tummy. And if you think she's not wearing Spanx (and still looking "curvy"), you're fooling yourselves. Maybe fat was the wrong term. Maybe. But if she's skinny everywhere else except her tummy and ass, what do you call that? Is that not carrying a few extra pounds?

I'd call that a normal, healthy, post-babies, mid-life body.

[Deebs]

All I can say is that I think Michelle has an amazing intellect, and has chosen in important health issue to focus on as a nation. She also seems to love her own children and our country. All important traits for a First Lady raising a family in the White House, IMO. I don't think only thin people should be concerned about our obesity epidemic, and I don't really care about the size of her butt.

[SuzySunshine]

It's not just her ass. It starts with the tummy. And if you think she's not wearing Spanx (and still looking "curvy"), you're fooling yourselves. Maybe fat was the wrong term. Maybe. But if she's skinny everywhere else except her tummy and ass, what do you call that? Is that not carrying a few extra pounds? I'll bow out now.

Wow! I work out regularly and am now training for a half marathon - I'm running around 10 miles a week right now (yikes!), I'm 5'3" and weigh about 115-120. I have a round butt and I have a belly pooch. Am I fat? Absolutely not - my belly is from having two children and I know the only way I'm ever going to get them back to a six pack is to eat for it and I"m not willing to give up my food, I like wine, I like sweets and I work out so that I CAN eat.

Do I wear spanx when I get dressed up? ABSOLUTELY!!!

I think Michelle Obama is looked up to because she is pushing the healthy eating/active lifestyle - I think she is also showing that you can be active and healthy and still not be stick then - she's not fat, chunky? maybe, but everyone is built differently and its just the way it goes.

I am really surprised that this took this route but at the same time I'm not because I was just having this discussion yesterday with a friend about how we are the judgemental generation, we think it is our right to judge everyone else on their decisions, kids, health, blah blah blah!!!

[Ladybug]

I can't belive this paragraph:

"Michelle Obama — who is 5-foot-11 and praised for her fashion sense, her bangs and her toned biceps — regularly emerges in polls as one of the most popular public figures in the country. (The White House does not discuss her weight.) She has graced magazine covers from Vogue to Better Homes & Gardens. Women’s health magazines have created workouts to help other women get “Michelle Obama arms.”

They reported her body height and talked about her "great biceps, fashion sense and bangs"?!?!?! What about her...well...I don't know...BRAIN??? What about her focus on public adolescent nutrition and health?

I want to vomit.

Women are so marginalized by the media. What always falls under the microscope is a woman's appearance, clothes, haircut. She "complains" rather than "states". It's so subtle, yet so obvious too. It detracts (strategically IMO) from the issues and suddenly everyone is judging and evaluating a woman on her size and appearance. If the NYT or WP published an article about President Obama's butt size they would be immediately stripped of any serious journalism badges and demoted to tabloid fodder...yesterday!

I deeply disagree with First Lady Michelle Obama on many issues, but I'm angry to see her treated this way. Look at how they masculinized Hillary to *mock* her and any of her ideas. Look at the way the *pornofied* Sarah Palin to belittle her and any ideas she brought to the table. They shot campaign pictures between her legs and asked her about breast implants on TV interview? There is an aggressive media violence against women (politics, advertisements, reality shows) that degrades and belittles women to mere body props and stupidity, and it still floats all the way up to the first lady...

[GrayMatterWife]

Wow! I work out regularly and am now training for a half marathon - I'm running around 10 miles a week right now (yikes!), I'm 5'3" and weigh about 115-120. I have a round butt and I have a belly pooch. Am I fat? Absolutely not - my belly is from having two children and I know the only way I'm ever going to get them back to a six pack is to eat for it and I"m not willing to give up my food, I like wine, I like sweets and I work out so that I CAN eat.

Do I wear spanx when I get dressed up? ABSOLUTELY!!

Dude...I'm almost 5'9" and weigh 128-130 lbs when not pregnant, and I have a generally thinner frame...and I wear Spanx RELIGIOUSLY whenever I dress up. I've have three kids and working on number 4...stuff just doesn't stay put the way it used it!!!!

[Vanquisher]

I'm rather disgusted by this thread. Just call me the stay puffed marshmallow woman. I think
Michelle Obama looks great, and I'd kill to have her figure. Fat, my ass! Literally.