Comments on: Michelle & Sasha Obama Painting Racist?

By: monica

monica — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:29:45 +0000

We are a sick nation of people..sick country filled so called Christians.
—from the mouth of a labeled loud, outspoken black women…okay there is worst in the sick country

By: Jamil

Jamil — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:16:48 +0000

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0aD16nd5771A1/340x.jpg

This is a painting of an ACTUAL PHOTO. Follow the link, idiots.

By: T

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:24:56 +0000

I think it is beautiful and would love to have the original or a limited addition signed and numbered print can you help, who is the artist?

By: Billie

Billie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:42:48 +0000

for the freaks who think it’s racist: grow the fuck up. elizabeth peyton painted this as a tribute to michelle obama and put it in her show because she is thrilled that barack obama was elected president. it’s a beautiful painting, and one that should be honored not looked at for hidden racist meanings. jesus christ, grow the fuck up you losers, stop looking for hateful shit.

By: Miss Davidic

Miss Davidic — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:46:59 +0000

This is a REPRINT of an ACTUAL photo in which Sasha did have her head in her mother’s lap in a way that was stinkingly similar to the pic of Coretta and her baby. This was not CREATED but a RE-CREATED painting of an actual photo. Must we think everybody is out to get us?

By: Mo Betta

Mo Betta — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:05:52 +0000

Well put, Nora!!!!

By: LRM

LRM — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:37:45 +0000

I wouldn’t call it racist as much as I would call it in poor taste. The missing link here is that the Obama’s have another beautiful daughter that has beeen omitted from the photo. The artist needs to make a set with the new image “Michelle and Malia”. It is quite a flashback when shown beside the Coretta and Bernice image. The images are completely opposite, one is of mourning and the other is of celebration. I do think it is very tacky to say the least, but not racist.

By: Nia

Nia — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:21:21 +0000

B, I don’t really feel like reading all the comments so I am not sure if anyone has already stated that this is an actual picture from President Obama’s nomination acceptance speech.

By: Nora

Nora — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 04:04:00 +0000

Could it be that the similarity is not racist but THE POINT? It reflects how far America has come, how many people died on the journey from the Civil Rights’ Movements early days to this point.

By: takyra

takyra — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:20:09 +0000

ok folks. sorry it looks like this but i couldnt figure out another way to get it posted up here because its not a jpeg file but here it is. i had to take a pic of it on my compouter.

By: takyra

takyra — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:01:01 +0000

Actually, the painting is not based off of the photo suggested. The painting is actually based of another photo of Michelle and her daughter taken at the same event. Her daughter really was lying on her lap. This is not some painting the artist made up. There is an actual picture of it so I dont think its racist in any shape form or fashion.

By: alexa

alexa — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:51:30 +0000

this is a portrait of a real picture that was taken. it just happens to be the same pose as the photo of mlk jrs wife and daughter.

By: Kren

Kren — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:12:45 +0000

Racist? Are you serious? There is nothing racist about this picture … NOTHING!!! Besides, how could this exemplify them mourning an assasination? That I don’t get either. Less think rational … not ignorant!!!

By: Mo Betta

Mo Betta — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:28:23 +0000

I dont think it’s racist at all. Great symbolism though. MLK spoke of ‘the promised land’ that he saw in a dream before he died and now we are actually getting there. The dream lives!

By: funkyheadhunter

funkyheadhunter — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:15:31 +0000

Can we all get a grip now????

————————-

NEW YORK – An oil painting of Michelle Obama and her daughter Sasha was unveiled Wednesday as part of an exhibition by artist Elizabeth Peyton, best known for her images of diverse historical figures and celebrities such as Napoleon and Kurt Cobain.

“Michelle and Sasha Obama Listening to Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention” depicts the little girl reclining on her mother’s lap as Michelle Obama listens intently to her husband accepting the Democratic nomination at August’s convention in Denver.

It’s part of a larger exhibition of Peyton’s work that opened last month at the New Museum on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Many of the more than 100 works are portraits in the artist’s trademark brilliant colors.

Though the show went up in October, the artwork, which was painted in August from a photograph, was added to the exhibition Wednesday, a day after Obama was elected president. The image also appears in this month’s W magazine.

Senior curator Laura Hoptman acknowledged that it’s unusual to add a painting to an existing show but noted that it was appropriate considering the historic nature of Obama’s victory.

Corinna Durland, director of Gavin Brown’s enterprise, which represents Peyton, said the painting was not commissioned. The Manhattan gallery had informed the Obama campaign that Peyton planned a portrait but never heard back.

The portrait, an oil on board, has already been sold. Durland declined to disclose the price or the buyer’s name.

The show will run through Jan. 11. It will travel to Minneapolis, London and the Netherlands.

By: Kaylee

Kaylee — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:04:46 +0000

This picture is not racist…period! Its a recreation of a picture that was taking of them months ago. BTW: Its the most natural thing in the world for a child to lay on their mother’s lap. So why are people over reacting?!

http://michelleobamawatch.com/sometimes-a-painting-is-just-a-painting-elizabeth-peyton-painting-controversy

By: melida

melida — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:14:07 +0000

No i don’t think is racist. is just a COINCIDENTAL that both children lay in rest on their mother…the only sad part is that mrs king is in her husband’s funeral, and Mrs. Obama is listening at her husband speaks…both picture are lovely…THERE’S NO
racism IN HERE… and please when you going to write DO NOT PUT YOU PEOPLE…WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS AND THAT IS A STEREOTYPE..

By: Blair

Blair — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:47:25 +0000

I don’t like the comparison at all, mainly because of the entirely different events going on. Mrs. King at her husband’s funeral and Mrs. Obama at the DNC listening to her husband speak. Both Sasha and Bernice (I think) are roughly the same age in the photos, however Bernice is making the gesture for comfort not because of a three hour time delay that puts her up past her bedtime….

The original photo can be found if you google Sasha’s name.

By: Eden Raine

Eden Raine — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:45:46 +0000

It’s so sad the way some peoples’ minds are.

By: Mz.Soul

Mz.Soul — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:30:42 +0000

I don’t know if it was racist, but to all the people who are saying that racism crossing ones mind, when looking at these side by side is over exaggeratory is a little ignorant…White people (assuming the artist is white), can be a little oblivious to racial issues. they just haven’t been where we have. I am a artist as well, and there is always something more to what we see. You have to look deeper. You’d be surprised what the subconscious mind can produce…just a little too similar if you ask me…that’s my opinion.

By: NB

NB — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:22:23 +0000

it seems in poor taste to me…even-though their is a possibility something like that could happened to Obama, I don’t want to even entertain the thought. I just hope his security is on top of everything and all the best for the family. This picture makes me uneasy. It’s not racist at all. It’s just not very inspiring.

By: Curvaceous

Curvaceous — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:02:56 +0000

Not racist, but cruel innuendo. The evil beyatch. Sorry but I wish nothing but bad upon her. I know we should ignore and forget, but I hope the artist does not profit from this hateful mess.

By: Meehsue

Meehsue — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:01:35 +0000

OK I RECAP YES A PICTURE WAS POSTED LIKE THAT SO I JUST THINK THE ARTIST WAS JUST EXPRESSING YOURSELF, THE ABOVE STATEMENT CAN BE DELETED…

IT’S JUST COINCIDENTAL… Now that I’ve seen the photo for myself, I feel much better now.

It is what it is sometimes.

By: Meehsue

Meehsue — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:58:06 +0000

*** LET’S be real, Michelle has never sat in a front row like that with her child.
I think the artist is trying to tell us to be ware because our change that came can leave us just a QUICK…..

Artist expressed yourself (but I think she is a cruel so and so for doing it in this fashion.

And the evil they pray for OBAMA love muffins of the WORLD (yes the world not just America, is praying for his safety)

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:49:47 +0000

to honeydip, what do you mean by “you people?”

By: imprevisible

imprevisible — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:42:37 +0000

it isn’t racist. Clearly Michelle and Sasha are not at a funeral, look at their clothing.

By: TBlaze

TBlaze — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:38:55 +0000

This is a beautiful painting. Nothing racist about it at all.

By: sweethan

sweethan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:20:41 +0000

I don’t believe it has anything to do with racism…it was actually an artistic depiction of a real picture of Sasha and Michelle taken at one of Obama’s rallies. You can see a close up picture of Sasha yawning at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/06/sasha-obama-see-how-shes_n_141678.html I thought it was beautiful.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:19:12 +0000

I think it’s beautiful. We have come a long way, but have more to travel. To me it’s symbolic showing that Martin Luther King Jr is not forgotten and that his dream is here!
I think Obama would say that we should not be distracted from divisive measures but unite!!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:02:22 +0000

NO its not racist! There is actually a picture of Michelle and her daughter just like the painting. The caption that I was sent was “Same position, Different Outcome” or something like that.

By: Fairlady

Fairlady — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:47:56 +0000

I saw this in the issue of Jet (Sep.15th-with Obama on the cover). I was a lil’ put off by the photo. This is a very eery coincidence.

It reminds me of the other pic circulating with Michelle in the famous pink Coco Chanel suit and pillbox hat.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:38:21 +0000

I can see the resemblance between Coretta Scott King’s photo & the painting of Michelle Obama. In the painting, there isn’t a substantial amount of pertinent reference to Michelle & Sasha’s actions in the Presidential Election photo. In the photograph, Sasha seems excited and vibrant & Michelle seems focused and attentive compared to the painting of the two. The painting shows feelings of sadness, anger, & possibly boredom which I highly doubt any of them experienced (for even a fraction of a second) that night. I think the insinuation of their mourning something or someone is so ambiguous, that the artists intention is obvious. The question is more so of what is it that is being mourned.

…she’s an artist. She knew what she was doing.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:21:40 +0000

I dont think that this is racist but definitely in poor taste. I seems like michelle is mourning Obama’s death. Normally I would say “its a bit much” or “this shit is unreal” but i think that that image surpasses those two phrases and crosses over into me just asking “why?”

By: MsTee34

MsTee34 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:09:39 +0000

It’s not that it’s racist – it’s just damn wrong. First of all, the original picture does not show Michelle Obama at all. It shows her sleepy daughter yawning with her head on her mommy’s lap: http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/618/slide_618_12682_large.jpg

The question is… WHY is it that these artists like to depict Michelle Obama as a scowling, angry black woman? The artist made Michelle look all pissed off! It plays into the stereotype that black women being mean, scowling and bitchy. *smh*

By: whatinthemonkey

whatinthemonkey — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:33:35 +0000

what in the mokey doodle world are you people thinking. How is this racist and how is it cruel. All sasha is doing is laying on her moms lap. I’m sure every child lays on there moms lap when there tired or bored cause i know i did that. Obviously its a coincidence. Have some Sense.

By: HoneyDip127

HoneyDip127 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:25:17 +0000

This does not depict anything racist at all. Michelle Obama doesn’t look as if she is in mourning, where are you guys getting these outrageous ideas from. Calling this painting racist is just ignorant!! Damn why do you have to turn something so beautiful into something negative. You don’t have anything better to do than start some Bullsh** people!!

By: Glennisha Morgan

Glennisha Morgan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:09:53 +0000

Ummm I don’t get it. How is this racist?

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:01:43 +0000

It’s a beautiful painting… not seeing anything racist about it

By: mr. wifey

mr. wifey — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:50:25 +0000

wow… it’s a beautiful painting but I doubt that it’s racist. i look at the picture like this: the painter may feel like Barack Obama is the new Martin Luther King maybe. How can that picture be racist? yea, maybe because it is like the picture of Coretta King after DR. King’s assassination but along with Martin’ assassination a legacy came about. like Youngin19 said… LET’S STOP BEING SENSITIVE PEOPLE… can we be happy that Barack is President before we start getting emotional and bring down just a rejoiceful moment? My goodness.

By: Youngin19

Youngin19 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:20:26 +0000

OHHH LAWRDAMERCY!!!! Cant this stop?? Its clearly not racist…OUR president is Black for GOD SAKE. Stop the sensitivity…

By: LaWana

LaWana — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:02:24 +0000

I think the portrait is simply show where we have been and where we are now. The coincident that they are very similar makes it that much more powerful.

By: Neicy

Neicy — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:49:35 +0000

quite honestly like i said before i didnt see it as racist until i put myself in the mindframe of a racist that’s why i said what i said as far as it being racist i’m not sure what the title was meant for it becuz i never saw it before i saw it here… and i didnt see a problem at all….

By: kFAB

kFAB — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:42:48 +0000

Heck no, it’s not racist!! They are both captivating and depict strong black women, but NO!

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:37:41 +0000

B. Scott you can please take this post down. Now that I know the background about the picture it is not racist at ALL.

See how when you lack knowledge of the background of something it’s easy to go into silly assumptions. You learn something new everyday.

By: Matilda

Matilda — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:28:57 +0000

GMAFB!!!!! This isnt racist & I dont think they are insisting anything…but if she was shame on her…but of course we would never know so lets just keep it moving people

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:19:46 +0000

Okay THANK GOD someone posted the picture. Okay not a coincidence. Now the picture looks differently to me. B. Scott like I he’s jumping to conclusions LOL.

By: Kisha

Kisha — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:18:08 +0000

It does seem to be a bit extra in that its possibly insinuating that Obama will be assasinated and that such a moment depicted in the paiting could occur.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:17:37 +0000

Okay nevermind! someone was ahead of my time lol

By: Blkgrl

Blkgrl — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:17:05 +0000

No, this is from actual shots of Sasha and her mother.

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/618/slide_618_12682_large.jpg

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:17:04 +0000

Okay can someone PLEASE post the REAL picture of Michelle and Sasha that everyone says the painting is based on. PLEASE cause to me it’s a coincidence and if their inspiration was from the Coretta Scott King picture then…it comes off to me like they’re trying to predict.