One of these days members of Congress are going to realize that you can’t say anything you want in public because there is always someone in the room who will record it and snitch to the press. Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) learned that lesson in the last 24 hours when he got ratted out for making comments about first lady Michelle Obama’s butt.
Earlier in the month, Congressman Sensenbrenner was overheard at the St. Aiden’s Episcopalian Church Bazaar making disparaging remarks about the first lady and her “Let’s Move” campaign. According to eye witness Ann Marsh-Meigs.
“He then talked about how different first ladies have had different projects – Laura Bush and literacy – and he named two or three others,” Marsh-Meigs said in an interview last week. “And then he said, ‘And Michelle Obama, her project is obesity. And look at her big butt.’”
Even though 16 year incumbent Sensenbrenner probably felt safe running his mouth while sitting smack dab in Republican territory Marsh-Meigs wasn’t having any of that, according to the interview she said:
“I was sitting next to him, and I felt he should be called on it,’” said the 72-year-old retiree. “I just said, ‘I just happen to think Michelle Obama is a beautiful and elegant lady, and I think she dresses beautifully.’ And then he said, ‘Oh, well, I think she’s elegant, too.’ He just started back-pedaling.’”
Go Head Ann Marsh-Meigs! I love it when bigots think they’re safe talking smack and then get called out by one of their own.
After about 10 hours of denials and shoulder shrugging Sensenbrenner finally apologized to the First Lady. But, honestly I’m sure she doesn’t care. Remember that interview Connie Chung did with Newt’s mom? Compared to the types of things that were said by Republicans about Hillary Clinton when she was in the White House Michelle has gotten off surprisingly easily.
There is however a larger issue here that always makes me laugh though and it’s the never ending obsession and confusion about Black women’s bodies, especially butts, by the majority culture. Ironically, a report just came out yesterday by the University of Alabama showing that Black women have better sex lives and higher self – esteem at higher weight levels than white women and that black women are healthier at heavier weights that white women as well, especially in the hips. Translation: There are no White Versions of Queen Latifah or Toccara, because the African American community is much more diverse in our notions of size and beauty than the majority. A couple of curves in the posterior is not necessarily a sign of obesity and certainly not a cause for criticism in the Black community. (For example, every time I saw this Twix commercial I knew it had to be a White writer because I have never heard a Black woman worry if a pair of jeans made her butt look too big, let alone hear a brotha complain about it.)
So in the end, another Republican gets caught for dissing a Democratic First Lady, he gets called out by his own people and Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner’s big Black booty fetish is exposed. You know he has one, that’s why he was talking about Michelle to begin with. I mean seriously, there are plenty of things to notice about Michelle Obama physically, the fact that she’s incredibly tall, or that she’s got arms like Linda Hamilton from Terminator. But he had to focus on her butt. I guess Sir Mix-A-Lot was right after all.
This article originally appeared online at Politic365.com.