Sucka-Punched By CNN

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL AND ESPECIALLY THE GODLY BLACK WOMEN!
"For black women across the country, Michelle Obama is a new role model, a woman who defies stereotypes in a public way they say they haven't seen since the fictional Clair Huxtable of "The Cosby Show." ~ The Canadian Press 11-14-2008

Now, some things take a minute for me to digest. The excerpt above was a precursor to the current trend that we are witnessing as it comes closer to the Presidential Inauguration. A recent CNN story on our soon to be 1st Lady Of America, conferred a "Claire Huxtable" status upon Michelle Obama claiming that she will be one of the premiere educated, and family oriented Black Women in the country. After some research, I found out that both Newsweek, The Boston Herald and the Canadian Press had also conferred this illustrative but "fictitious" status on Mrs. Obama. Why? Look at one excerpt to see:

"Black women are among the least likely to marry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2007 American Community Survey. The same survey found that most blacks are born to unwed mothers. And black men suffer from high drop out, unemployment and incarceration rates"~The Canadian Press 11-14-2008

On Monday Nov. 24th CNN produced a story saying that Michelle Obama will be a positive "Role Model" for Black women of America and will "help" change the image that "many" people have regarding Black women in this country. In fact they said that the perception of Black Women in general is that they are Loud, Overweight, Uneducated, Slothful, Unmarried with Children as The Canadian Press suggests, and a hand full of other items that they claimed was stereotypical of Black women.

Pastor are you serious?

Answer: YEP!

Not only according to them are Black Women slightly off balanced or misplaced but others say, well...you just don't feel good about yourself either:

"Black women across the country say they expect Obama’s dark skin will inspire girls and women to feel better about themselves. Her workout habits may inspire others to get in shape. And the Obamas’ intelligence may stop the teasing that some black children endure for being smart," said Maya Rockeymoore, 37, a political scientist in Washington, D.C. ~ The Boston Herald.com 11/15/2008

REALLY???

I REALLY don't want or intend to steal any of the THUNDA from Michelle Obama, and I am glad that she remains a strong and committed, intelligent black woman. BUT, I began to think, that not only have Black Women been the strength of the Black Community, and The Black Church, but also the strength of the American Community in general for generations. Black women have fed and raised many individuals, executives and otherwise that will remain unmentioned until Jesus comes. Black women have managed and maintained homes, children and grandchildren sometimes all under one roof and haven't compromised themselves to do so. Black Women have played the role of the father when the father was absentee, the teacher when the teacher didn't like their child and failed to educate them, and the councilor when the family was on the brink of mental breakdown from social and financial pressures. Black Women have been the prayer warrior in their homes, neighborhoods and communities, and a voice of godly reason that many youth have learned to trust.

Why is it now that all of the godly, sanctified, and holy women have been overlooked as IF they hadn't really achieved or accomplished much until Michelle came along?

As I said...DON'T GET ME WRONG. I wouldn't, by virtue, tear down any Black woman to exalt another. I can only say that the community is full of wonderful, faithful, loud and soft toned, large and small, GREAT Black Women that have endured the total devastation that has hit our communities and churches. Need I mention, Coretta, Rosa, or Betty S. X?

They have done set examples, educated our children and built our communities for years with little or no recognition and I simply want to stop and say that You don't have to get on Michelle's bandwagon to be considered successful, you can scoot on over so that she can simply get on your bandwagon!

You see I just happen to know that there are godly women that don't believe in abortion and homosexual rights. I just happen to know that there are godly and smart women who never went to Princeton, Yale or Harvard, but can think circles around the best of them...I married a strong black woman and she's put up with me, my failures and successes for over 22 years now and before I take it back, I'll add more to it...God's REALLY been good to me!

Others have noticed this trend carried forward by CNN. Newsweek.com reported this after the "Black In America" show aired

"Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The prevailing theory seems to be that we're all hot-tempered single mothers who can't keep a man and, according to CNN's "Black in America," documentary, those of us who aren't street-walking crack addicts are on the verge of dying from AIDS. As writer Rebecca Walker put it on her Facebook page: "CNN should call me next time they really want to show diversity and meet real black women that nobody seems to talk about.''..."Like Walker, I too know more than my share of black women who have little in common with the black female images I see in the media. My "sistafriends" are mostly college educated, in healthy, productive relationships and have a major aversion to sassy one-liners. They are teachers, doctors and business owners. Of course, there are those of us who never get the chance to pull it together. And we accept and embrace them—but their stories can't and shouldn't be the only ones told."

As I said, I felt "sucka-punched". I was excited and drawn in by promise only to take one right on the chin. The story seemed to say that Black women were invisible until Michelle stepped on the scene. And that's simply NOT the case. In spite of all that we're dealing with God yet has a remnant that HAVEN'T bowed their knee to Baal neither have kissed his foot, and I believe that he is using those women now like never before.

To ALL the Godly women and Black Women in particular...no matter the skin tome, size or shape, I'd rather have a Ruth, Naomi, Esther or Abagail any day than a mere "Claire Huxtable."

Prov. 31:10-31 ~ "10-Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11-The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12-She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13-She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14-She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15-She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16-She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17-She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18-She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19-She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20-She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21-She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22-She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23-Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24-She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25-Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26-She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27-She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28-Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29-Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30-Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31-Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

May God Bless You!