Bloggers Watch Out for Michelle Obama

Around the world, there is not only a great deal of interest in U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, but also in the life of the first lady-in-waiting, Michelle Obama. During the campaign Mrs. Obama came under scrutiny for a variety of issues, ranging from an infamous “UnAmerican” speech to being called a “baby mama.” A group of bloggers have taken the initiative to make sure a balanced image of the first lady is maintained in both the media and the blogosphere.

Michelle Obama Watch is an initiative started by Texas resident Gina McCauley, founder of What About Our Daughters, a blog dedicated to supporting positive images of black women and girls. McCauley intended Michelle Obama Watch to be “a repository of all of the criticism, praise, and general [foolishness] thrown at Michelle Obama. On the blog, users can see updated news, information, video and photos of the first lady. There is also discussion about any criticism made about Obama, as well as a section on her daughters, Sasha and Malia.

“Whether you support her husband or not,” McCauley says on the blog. “Let’s be clear, any and every Black woman that walks in [Michelle's] footsteps can expect the same treatment so we might as well pull a Gandolf, draw a line in the stand and yell ‘THOU SHALL NOT PASS!’”