The Etceterist | 04/02/2009 1:50 pm
Is Drama Over First Lady Touching Queen Racist?
The Web has gone wild in response to the news that, when she met Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, First Lady Michelle Obama put her arm around the Queen while posing for photographs. It is verboten to touch Her Majesty, you see. Or at least it was until now.
Well, get over it America. The Queen didn’t mind. Why should we? We say we aren’t — but we Americans are such snobs and the reaction here is proof of that as well as the subtle racism in castigating Mrs. Obama for touching the Queen. Shame on us. Only in America, such appalling lack of support of the First Lady.
News flash! The Queen has moved into the 21st century. Time for the rest of us to catch up!
For a balanced account of the incident, check out this article from the London Times. And get back to me.
Well, get over it America. The Queen didn’t mind. Why should we? We say we aren’t — but we Americans are such snobs and the reaction here is proof of that as well as the subtle racism in castigating Mrs. Obama for touching the Queen. Shame on us. Only in America, such appalling lack of support of the First Lady.
News flash! The Queen has moved into the 21st century. Time for the rest of us to catch up!
For a balanced account of the incident, check out this article from the London Times. And get back to me.
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106 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
I had no idea her arms were that long!
Why in the world was the word "racists" used in the title of this thread? When will this insanity stop? If the Queen initiated touching, then Michelle Obama had every right to respond in like.
However, I personally do not like for someone to invade my personal space on a first meeting. But, if the Queen felt it acceptable, and so did Michelle, they are the only ones that should have a say on that.
Racists? What?????
I do not agree at all. That headline was written here to keep this "racist" mentally alive and to limit all critical comment of this administration. It is the one fool proof word to bring dissent to a screeching halt. We are being manipulated again. Any thoughts of racial context are BS, especially in Britan.
To ask if protocol was breached is a fair question, considering in the past, the royals have been ever so strict about that. However, since the death of Princess Diana the favor of the royals has taken a sharp downturn with the British public. The royals are at the mercy of the British people for their lifestyle and titles.
The supposed "acceptance" of the Obamas is a political move to say the least. The royals had better align themselves with the popular Obamas, or face more criticism in an already shaken monarchy.
It has nothing to do with personal sentiment and all to do with public perception.
There’s been plenty of criticism of this administration (leading the charge: Dick Cheney), so I don’t think anyone has limited any criticism at all. Not sure what you mean by "any thoughts of racial context are BS, especially in Britain," which has plenty of racial problems between what for hundreds of years had been a fairly homogenously white population and non-white immigrants who began settling in droves from non-European countries beginning in the 1960’s. The acceptance of the Obamas may be political; the embrace of an American First Lady is certainly unprecedented, but it looked unscripted on videotape. Again, I believe the "racism" refers to criticism in the U.S. of Michelle Obama’s touching the Queen, not anything said in Britain.
Ok, have it your way…it matters not. Britain has been ahead of the US in racial relations, but I won’t engage in that controversy now. Either way the use of "racism" is a political ploy. Please show me one article that stated Michelle Obama had no right to touch the Queen based on color.
The royals need the press. Their exisitance depends on it.
I’ll be checking back to read that.
Oh my GAWD ! From the pictures it looks like Queenie put her arm around Michelle first and it’s a natural reaction to reciprocate. Where in the world does racism come into this.
A kerfuffle over nothing !
Maybe her SUBJECTS ( what a terrible word ) aren’t allowed to touch her, who knows why, but we ain’t her subjects any more !
EKA,
You nailed it, but the best thing you said was "kerfuffle". Sounds like a new animal on Sesame Street! Mr. Kerfuffle! Besides, as you said, we are not the Queen’s subjects anymore. Humanity takes over above and beyond protocol most of the time.
See you in our parallel universe!
Tee Zee,
I think if you were married to a Mr. Kerfuffle, you’d remember it! I’m sure he was a gentle soul! I was also reminded that this word "Kerfuffle" could have been the name of one of Rose’s dishes (Rose from Golden Girls). What do you think?
Thanks for my morning chuckle, girls.
I needed that - I’ve been sitting here trying to get enough energy to get to work (write & edit photos…that takes a lot of energy.) Ha! A good laugh always recharges me, so thank God for WOWOWOW!