I’ve been writing about Mrs. Obama and her image since she assumed the role of First Lady in 2009. My first effort was an essay written in connection with an exhibition I curated (with Clayton Lewis) on race and caricature, Reframing the Color Line. Then in 2015, I published an essay length work that explored Mrs. Obama’s ideas about black womanhood, as expressed during her husband’s 2008 run for the presidency of the United States. Those thread came together for me in February 2018 when Mrs. Obama’s portrait, rendered by artist Amy Sherald, was unveiled. I wrote about that image here, taking a long view of how black women have been represented in the White House.
“To represent the nation, Obama had to sweep aside parody — and that’s precisely what her portrait does. Her exposed arms unmistakably signify grace, strength and an impeccable fashion sense. But they also offer more: an unmistakable sign of black women’s political power at the start of the 21st century — a power centuries in the making.” Read more here.