Admit it, we're just in awe of Michelle Obama aka FLOTUS. Whenever she speaks in public or surprises us presenting an Oscar Award, or makes an appearance on daytime's The View or Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, or is teaching other show hosts how to Dougie, we're so biased, not even considering a flaw or offering a flinch of criticism. After all, we save all that for her better half, President Barack. I bet if she appeared on DWTS or entered The Voice, no matter the horrid dance steps or croaking vocal mishaps, the voting public would ensure Michelle either a runner-up position, or bless her as queen victorious! Then there's her style -- blogged and reviewed by fashion outlets galore, never having too much negativity to say about her designer picks. From her casual wear of J. Crew to her ultimate in evening wear, Jason Wu, she's our flawless FLOTUS. And why not? She's not the one pushing through a new Affordable Health Care Act, or endorsing same-sex equality or tighter gun laws, or threatening your constitutional right with potential drone strikes at your local café. But what if she rocked an Afro? You know, that natural African-American hairstyle that was popularized by so many in the 1970s. C'mon, it'll be fun. It doesn't have to be Angela "black activist" Davis-high. It could be short, you know, "TWA" (teeny-weeny afro) style -- acceptable in a White House standard sort of way, still ensuring President Barack's her same height or slightly taller. More threatening!
No, not a "black thing"? More of a natural thing! Last time I checked, she was "blacker" than Barack. Besides, he got his naturals and made it (taking his family) all the way to the White House! In fact, since "It's A Man's World" James Brown passed back in 2006, his protégé and civil rights activist, now MSNBC host, Reverend Al Sharpton seems to be the only famed African-American male that still rocks a perm, ditching his natural-born hair since 19-longtime! Seems like the standards, perception or acceptance of black males keeping what they're born with, as far as their hair's concerned, vastly contrasts with what the black female has to portray as mainstream and acceptable. It goes without saying, there's a double standard, 'cause we all know we'd be watching and laughing at revolving SNL skits online or trying on Halloween wigs come October, if black men we're familiar with, from the exemplary and political-minded such as Harry Belafonte, Nelson Mandela, Colin Powell or even President Barack, to the entertainment and sports figures such as Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Kanye West, Tiger Woods or LeBron James all rocked straightened hair or perms like modern-day rapper Danny Brown, or comedian Katt Williams!
Yet no one's calling out or poking fun at a straightened-hair sister? Maybe except when it's the reverse, as in the sad case of post-victory for 2012 USA Olympic gold medalist, gymnast Gabby Douglas, who sure bowed to the pressure. Oh, and remember when singer Alicia Keys first hit the scene in 2001? She blew us away in those braids with her smash "Fallin'"! Being under Clive Davis' wing, you knew it was just a matter of time before she blew pop. Then as her hits came and she got more famous, the braids became "curly" and then turned into that standard straightened, processed hair -- not to mention the extensions. Now she's back and forth between the two, but last time I checked, she hasn't re-braided since. Society's ironically accepted this appearance of black women for more than a century. My mom has it, our aunts, teachers, politicians, or even our revered black nuns probably go under the sink once a month to get a redo, softening and straightening their precious naturals. Not to mention there's a billion-dollar hair products industry that encourages, supports and influences it as well. It doesn't even seem significant to mention, although Chris Rock's Good Hair movie did a great job in documenting it. It is just the norm. Actually, a black female with natural hair seems like more the novelty, and stands out as some isolated, unique identification.
Kind of like: "Yeah, that girl with the dreads," or "Yep, the tall sister who rocks the natural." How odd would it sound if one were to say: "No, the sister with the straightened hair"? You might get a response like, "Can you be more specific, which one, man?!"
Anyway, back to Michelle. Just wanted to give some societal perspective as to why this might be such a milestone for you. You see, Mrs. FLOTUS, if you rock a 'fro or revert back to your natural hair in the many styles that'll be cool and acceptable, just like you do with the straightened, unnatural hair -- à la bangs -- you could also be making even a bigger move in White House history. As the first lady, you'd definitely get some heat, especially from the right and right-wing media -- even liberals, too. Hell, even your own black sisters might light up the Twitter-verse! But you'd be starting an honest conversation. You'd also be showing to millions of unqualified or qualified, professional or street, beautiful or not-so-pretty females of color, that even with centuries of conditioning (pun intended!), rocking your natural hair doesn't necessarily mean you're anti-white or making some militant stance for anything, either. You're just being true to yourself.
And today we've got such great examples. Look at singers from Lauryn Hill, Solange, Esperanza Spalding, Goapele, and Janelle Monae, to actresses from Lisa Bonet, Viola Davis, Whoopi and Tracee Ellis Ross, to leaders in their own right from Aleck Wek, Rita Marley, Toni Morrison and the list goes... well, to be honest, it's not that long! But no longer are redheads afraid of their color; brunettes -- thanks to Kim Kardashian amongst many others -- are bowling out blondes; and even Jewish gals with their natural curly locks are ditching the relaxer! Sure, Michelle, you're a smart-ass black woman, stellar mother and such a natural role model, which has nothing to do with your choices of hairstyles. We men, of all races and shades, even look up to you. But don't you think it's time to rock that natural 'fro, since lately, it's been all about your hair? Oops, I mean your unnatural, straightened and processed bangs? It looks great, it really does. I see you rocking it on the cover of Vogue (twice) now. But Michelle, before your hubby leaves office -- since you love setting great examples in choice of foods, daily exercise and extraordinary motherly exemplification -- how about setting another one by rocking a 'fro, or having your tresses in some other natural style? Just a couple times before 2016, at least.