A new President, compared with an old one

My president is black,
His house is white
The country’s fu’ed up
But he gonna make it right!

Haha, that is my little Young Jeezy inspired rhyme for the day.
And although I know the whole comparison between the Kennedy’s and the Obama’s has been done, in honor of this frickin historic ass day, I am going to rehash it all again here for my own and perhaps your enjoyment!

The Kennedy-Obama Factors:

1. Not since the Kennedy’s has a younger more adorable first family moved into the White House.


What is it about an attractive young couple with adorable little children that so effectively captures the attention and affection of the country? There’s just something so American about it all-- picturing a lovely looking traditional well-dressed couple with two bright children and a dog running in the yard… very appealing!

2. Both Kennedy and Obama are “firsts” in the Oval Office; first Catholic in the case of Kennedy, and first non-denominational Christian in the case of Obama. Oh, and plus he’s black, I don’t think that has happened before either...

3. Both Kennedy’s and Obama’s elections mark a shift in the mood of the Nation.

During the post-WWII “fat happy years” of the fifties, we enjoyed wealth and employment and accessible higher education, but with this came a kind of entitled, socially complacent attitude. Electing Kennedy noted that the conformity and materialism of the 50’s was becoming less dominating, and people saw the need for social action and real *shock* CHANGE in the way we live our lives and the way those lives are governed. Kennedy’s “New Frontier” encouraged involvement and started social action organizations such as the Peace Corps.

Obama’s election indicates a similar shift in attitude of the country, rejecting the hands-off wealth-concerned presidency of Bush Jr, and indeed the entire personal gratification seen in politics since Reagan and his Reaganomics. Suddenly the country wants a candidate that promises government involvement in the social and personal sphere.


Perhaps in many cases, we don’t even know what we really want, just that the fresh hopeful face of Barack Obama seems to be it. I wonder when my word processor will accept that name into its dictionary and stop underlining it with red error lines every time I type it. 4. The Classic Michelle and Jackie O Comparison.

I would argue that not since Jackie Onassis has a first Lady garnered so much public interest and admiration in her own right. Both women are impeccably stylish, Mrs. Kennedy’s soft spot being for fancy designers while Michelle opts for more conservatively priced albeit equally fabulous wardrobe choices.

Jackie O is personally responsible for the popularity of fads such as the Pill Box Hat and the three-quarter length sleeves (the latter of which has enjoyed a comeback recently), and women and designers made a conscious effort to look just like her.

If her First-Lady Elect escapades are anything to go by, Michelle O is primed to have a similar impact on the fashion industry and the flow of the fads these coming years. Remember the fuss made about the dress she wore on The View. People are already copying it.

Jackie was also an involved First Lady, traveling as a diplomat and pioneering the idea that the government should be an advocate and supporter of culture and the arts. For her part, Michelle has already made it clear that she has a mind and an agenda of her own, and I don’t doubt that she will be a visible, inspiring, and active resident of the White House.
Naturally the Obamas are by no means Kennedy clones, so a few key differences exist. I don't know the future, but for optimism's sake, I'll make some projected differences:

1. The Obama marriage is a strong one, and the new administration will lack the notorious affairs and marital bumps in the road seen in the 60’s.


2. Despite threats and promises and a certain over-publicized gaffe by Biden, hopefully there will be no big “test” such as the Cuban Missile Crisis for Obama, and if there is, may he handle it with the grace and presence he has shown us thus far.
3. And it goes without saying that there is full optimism that Obama will serve EIGHT FULL HEALTHY YEARS and live 500 years after that!!!

Long live our new amazing president, and may this phenomenal feeling being shared in the country right now last.
And was it not adorable the way he stumbled over the words when taking the oath?

Now go and celebrate as you see fit! This is how me and my roommate are spending the afternoon:

Inaugeration Day Outfit!
Shirt: Dalunda from work got it for me from some mysterious source for five dollars. Let's call it atlanta street fashion.
Boots: Thrifted, my roommate's.
Jeans: Dollhouse brand.

Atlanta my front door: Gettin political or gettin fashionable?

Twice now, protests have gone through the center of Five Points, shouting “Long Live Palestine; Free, Free Palestine!” with a group of probably around 100 people in tow.
I have no problem with a good heated protest, and frankly it’s a relief to see people yelling and holding signs that had a liberal agenda rather than a conservative one. And I will just come out and say right now that I’m not one of those Jewish girls who thinks Israel is always right, because I don’t think a religious agenda can ever be good enough justification for kicking people out of their own land. “God gave it to us first, it’s here in the bible” isn’t as good as “I bought this land myself, it’s here in this official documentation.” Perhaps a better analogy than Nazi Tactics or Apartheid government would be to describe Israel's behavior as... kind of American. The Palestinians in this case are like our Native Americans, who were pushed aside on their land for a perceived larger purpose, housing homeless religious refugees from England. And I have to say, CNN really is an “Israeli Mouthpiece.” When is the last time you turned on the news and saw anything swung from the point of view of the other guys? Our country has a lot invested in Israel. They’re like our mini-me! A loyal conveniently located little democracy that we have nourished and raised after our own hearts. But like any angry shouting group, there are certain statements that go too far and sort of cause the other aspects of the larger argument to pale behind the crazy offensiveness. This group looks no better than any fundamentalist extreme group with the outlandish statements and graphic, emotionally charged images and words. Dead babies? Looks like the kinds of graphics pro-lifer rallies use to demonize pro-choicers. There was an anti-Obama rally a few months ago, and there were signs like this, and one guy yelled at me "Did you know Barack Obama murders babies?" If only John McCain's campaign had had this info, his candidacy would have been in the bag!! Then there is the aforementioned comparison’s with Nazi’s, and the oldest trick in the book: Parading around adorable children with signs! One of the hardest things about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that everyone is wrong and everyone is right. It’s gone on forever and will go on forever because there is no solution. EVERYONE makes a good point... and then everyone makes a terrible point, just awful. It’s like that scene in Fiddler on the Roof, when Tevye is listening to an argument saying “He's right... Perchik is right...” And then the rabbi’s son says “He’s right and he’s right... they can't both be right.” and Tevye says “You know, you are also right.” In other words, if you try, you can find some logic in ANYONE’S point of view, even some of the craziest of these protest signs. I ‘heart’ A-jad? I don’t know if this guy is going for irony or not, but let’s run with it. Yes, "A-jad' may be the puppet-president for a nuke-possessing totalitarian fundamentalist regime of the Shah, but damn can the man wear a suit! I might be tempted to say I ‘heart’ him too when I see his tasteful elegant pairing of a camel colored sweater vest with a gray suit, not to mention his immaculately manicured beard. Clearly a GQ subscriber.

Star of david equals the swastika? That’s a toughie, it’s hard to justify grouping an entire demographic of people from all parts of the globe into one flat generalization, in conjunction with the most famous emotionally charged symbol from this century. Seems like a stretch and a cheap tactic, potentially offensive to both Jews and Nazis! What would Hitler say?? Look at that punum, you can tell he does not like it. Maybe it reminds him that he is himself half Jewish, and that would get any Nazi feelin all awkward.

Just like Ryan Gosling in The Believer, where he plays the hottest neo-Nazi possible and also happens to have a little secret of his own. That’s right, Jewish neo-Nazi!

Sounds like riveting tear-jerking TV to me! If you have some disposable time, watch this clip from the film where he explains his racial views to a reporter.

I guess in the case of Hitler and Ryan Gosling’s character, the star of david equaling the swastika makes complete sense.

Suffice it to say that there’s a side to every point of view, but is it wise to get down on a whole group of people when part of your battle is to overcome such stereotyping yourself? Rendering others voiceless in blanket statements takes validity from your own voice. Why you gotta get down on the chosen?

Evident in this rare photo is Anne Frank's solidarity with Palestine!

Just like other celebrities and beautiful people lately:

Although there seems to be some disagreement as to whether sporting a keffiyah is a political statement or a way to keep your neck warm with a pretty patterned piece of cloth. Fashion statement or political statement? You decide. I say maybe there's a little bit of each in the other.

(Thank you Matthew Hunt for the lovely protest pics)