Headline Reads: Obamas are Black. Nation STILL in Shock.

So, in case you didn't know the Obamas are black. *GASP* But what I find most frustrating is this New York Times article that traces Michelle Obama's roots back to her great-great-great grandmother. The inane headline reads: In First Lady's Roots, A Complex Path From Slavery.

I'm sorry, what? Does that even mean anything? I'm not sure. This article read like swine flu in America. It didn't become important until something that our media considers more important than anyone else becomes the subject of old news. People die from the flu all. The. Time. People have slave owning ancestors all. The. Time. People have ancestors who were slaves all. The. Time. It just doesn't begin to matter until people die from the flu in America, instead of Croatia. Or someone of prominence has a sordid slave ancestry.

The story goes like this: Michelle's great-great-great grandmother was a young slave girl who's owner, at the age of 15, impregnated her. That is most definitely scandalous. But it's not the first time. Then, at the end of the article, they turned to their readership asking them to "help fill in the Obama Family tree!" and encouraging people to send in their pictures if they think they are connected to the interactive family tree on the NYT website. I'd really like to be the intern who has to sort through all that mail. And let's be real here. It's ridiculous how much the NYT likes their interactive media. But besides that, way to appeal to the people's pathos. the need to be a part of something bigger than themselves, when what we are made of is already huge. The facets of American society that people don't even realize they touch is uncanny. Ok. Enough American Studies major talk for you.

And now the NYT is running a follow up article with the headline: One Family's Roots, A Nation's History.

Again.

I'm sorry, what? Does that even mean anything? This article is a compilation of perspectives on the issue. They have everyone from a cultural analyst to a Harvard professor (Who you can always trust, the little lambs) to a real live author.

So, I guess my point is this: Does this even matter? Where is the conundrum of race here? Isn't race already a conundrum because a) it in no way reflects one's ability and b) American society has somehow made it a defining factor of a person's identity. What makes this family any different when the whole point of America's First Family is to present an image of an every-day family. All American. Wholesome. Just like you. Why is this issue still a stigma? I'm over it.

Perfect Perfect Perfect

The Inauguration was pretty sweet, if a bit repetitive when it came to the balls. I'm just happy that the U.S. is being represented by someone with a brain and with a cute family (Kennedy-esque, not that I'm trying to jinx them) who can be a good role model to American citizens - and hey, other people too. Here's more pictures to remember it by.



Barack and Michelle decided to walk part of the way, much to the support of their... um... is fans the appropriate word? Constituents? Whatever, he's a rock star. Their fans.



GOODBYE. Stop waving and get in the freaking chopper.



Looking solemn and determined, our new representatives to the world... all of whom are fairly attractive, actually. I'll take it.



I love this picture because it's SO how kids are. They absolutely do not get wrapped up in events outside their personal scope about 98% of the time. "Ok Daddy, I'm bored and my legs hurt. Can we go in yet?"



Let me just note once and for all that both these ladies look faaaaabulous, and also that Michelle is an Amazon and Jill is a pocket person (in the best way possible, of course). Though the balls (at least the first one) were run like the MTV Music Awards at times (who the hell picked out the announcer? He honestly sounded like he was about to tell us to give it up for Paris Hilton, who would be announcing the award for Sexiest Extra in a Rap Video. And several people said "Yo yo" etc. and so on before speaking. Who started that? Why can't you just go into what you're saying without holla'in at your homies? Especially at an INAUGURATION?), let's face it, they were a lot more interesting than McCain's would've been. Who would've been his guests? Speidi and Billy Baldwin? Elisabeth Hasslebeck?

I know it's supposed to be a love song, but the tune Barack and Michelle kept dancing to makes me think of a different thing I've been wanting to come along: the end of an error, a fresh new beginning. Hope, even if it's misguided (it's better than nothing). Barack has finally taken Bush's place the White House. The rest of the world is looking to us with a bit of respect for the first time in 8 years. At last...