Michelle Obama goes unrecognized on walks outside the White House. Black women know why.

[DonViejo]

By Jonathan Capehart January 10 at 1:08 PM

“She is not disguised at all … No one recognizes her … She’s basically unnoticed most times.”

She is first lady Michelle Obama. And in April Ryan‘s new book, “At Mama’s Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White,” she reveals that the wife of President Obama has gone on long walks outside the White House to little or no notice over the past eight years. As startling as that news is (shared with her by Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett), so is the reason Ryan believes this happens: Invisibility.

“The first thing they see when you walk in the room is the color” of one’s skin, Ryan told me in the latest episode of “Cape Up.” She was diving deep on her contention in her book that “when it comes to being Black women, we are invisible no matter what heights we have risen to and achieved.” The conversation on racial invisibility was just one part of a conversation that reflected Ryan’s perspective as an African American woman raising two daughters in Baltimore.

Ryan is also the Washington Bureau chief and White House correspondent for the American Urban Radio Networks. She has covered three presidents and is gearing up to cover her fourth, Donald Trump. Listen to the podcast to find out whether she thinks those opposed to his presidency will maintain their opposition to him and what one question she wants to ask him.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2017/01/10/michelle-obama-goes-unrecognized-on-walks-outside-the-white-house-black-women-know-why/?utm_term=.a3ca404b664e&wpisrc=nl_popns&wpmm=1

[mcar]

1. Amazing and sad

Will we ever learn?

[Mike Nelson]

2. I could hardly resist...

...running up an hugging her! But I get this article... black women need to be celebrated much more in our culture. There is a celebration of most every "look" - but beautiful dark-skinned black women do not get the attention they deserve. This is one of the reasons I love Joy Reid... she's also very smart, but what a beautiful smile!

[Skittles]

3. where is the Secret Service when she is on her walks

I find it hard to believe she would not be recognized - she is striking, even without makeup

would like to hear what Ms. Obama says

[SledDriver]

5. Absolutely

I'm sure the Secret Service et al. are shadowing her. But what an honor to be walking and be like "OMG!"

[Skittles]

7. I'm no celebrity worshiper

but I would LOVE to meet Michelle Obama - I've been a fan since the first time I read about her

[malaise]

8. Don't rule out the racist cops stopping and frisking either Michelle, Barack or both

they day they go for a drive without Secret Service

[yeoman6987]

11. The day they go driving without secret service?

That would be never. They have secret service for life.

[bdamomma]

34. is it for life???

oh, I didn't know secret service was for life, I thought it was for 10 years???

[yeoman6987]

38. True they did pass a 10-year rule

But congress in the next session did away with it and back to life.

[TrekLuver]

35. I agree...and in DC she wouldn't be invisible...they are some Democratic loving people down there...

HUH???

[CherokeeDem]

4. I grew up in the South...

Fortunately, my parents were white Democrats and involved in the Civil Rights movement. I met so many strong, amazing black women during my childhood years and wanted to grow up to be like them.

Once, in the Miami airport, I was coming down the escalator toward baggage and at the bottom of the stairs stood Coretta Scott King. I cannot imagine how anyone could not recognize her... there was an ethereal glow about her. I feel that Michelle would as well.

How could anyone not recognize Michele Obama?

[WinkyDink]

6. 1. Not everyone looks at people they pass. 2. Recognition often has to do with context. 3. She's no

Spring chicken. "Women of a certain age" regardless of skin tone are routinely ignored, rendered invisible.

[Skittles]

9. also

contrary to what is opined in the article, I believe it has been proven (not sure how) that gender is recognized before color, when seeing someone

[JHan]

13. so it's all a figment of her imagination?

[Skittles]

14. would like to hear it from her

is she ignored? who knows

is it solely because she is black? I suggest you ask white women over 50

[WinkyDink]

19. I'm saying, as a 67-yr-old White woman, that MO's experience is hardly confined to race, not to

mention my other reasons.

Nobody said anything was a "figment, etc.". Reading comprehension?

The ignoring is real; the analysis is flawed.

[JHan]

21. There are many reasons for that "invisibility"

The reasons in your case, maybe different to someone else's.

I am a young black woman, and I knew instantly what she meant.

[WinkyDink]

24. I didn't argue that there aren't "many reasons"; quite the contrary, in fact.

[JHan]

15. Are you familiar with Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man"?

It's an interesting read and it applies to black women as well.

What she described isn't a figment of her imagination, but very real.

[WinkyDink]

20. I've read it. Again, psychology is what it is, to wit: We see what we expect to see, and MO on the

street is not included.

Some people want to make it about race? Whatever.

[JHan]

26. And if it's about race sometimes , why is this surprising?

[LanternWaste]

18. And there it is.

And there it is. The "everything but that" routine.

[WinkyDink]

23. As opposed to, perhaps, the "only that" routine?

[whathehell]

27. "She's no spring chicken"..Really? Neither is Barack & he's still handsome

You must be kidding...You're saying she's of "a certain age" where she's no longer attractive?? You need an eye eye exam.

She's hardly "old", and she's GORGEOUS for a woman of any age.

[hollowdweller]

10. I think it depends on expectations

I've seen people I KNEW and thought they looked familiar but couldn't place them, because I saw them in a social context that I wouldn't have expected to see them.

[jalan48]

12. Was it just white people who didn't recognize her or blacks as well?

DC is 46% black.

[Historic NY]

16. Remember when she went shopping at target

[Skinner]

17. My wife saw Michelle Obama when she was out running on the Capital Crescent Trail.

She had an entourage of 10-15 people, dudes in suits whose clothes "didn't fit the environment or the activity." So I'm skeptical that she could go anywhere without being totally obvious.

[Duppers]

29. I thought of the same thing.

There would be no way she could leave alone and the suits concealing their weapons would seem out of place.


I'm sure your wife had a little ping of excitement just seeing her!

[Skinner]

32. Yes she did.

It was very exciting!

[WinkyDink]

22. How does race figure into THIS (Hint: It's about HRC)?

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/14/us/politics/on-the-road-hillary-clinton-stops-for-lunch-at-chipotle-and-goes-unrecognized.html?_r=0

No; I maintain it's about being "not young" and female.

[nadine_mn]

25. While I do agree invisibility exists, I know I could be in line next to the FLOTUS

at target and have no clue it was her

1. I'd wouldn't expect to see her there so at most I would think that the woman reminds me of Michelle Obama

2. I have a tendency to be in my own world way too often - there are few people I recognize when I see them out of their 'element' - teachers, gym buddies, former classmates etc

I am always amazed at people who see famous people out in public and recognize them, or sheesh people who can see someone from America's Most Wanted and know that is the lady who works at the 7-11.

I am not discounting the OP just adding that some of us are just clueless.

[whathehell]

28. Couldn't it be that people are just somwhat intimidated by her fame ?

I know I would hesitate to approach a well known person.

[Orrex]

30. Honestly, I think that's how I'd react

Actually, my reaction would be two-fold:

1. That can't be her--why would she be here, mundanely walking within 50 feet of a nobody like me?
2. A vague sense of concern that I'd be immolated by her superhuman charisma and star power.


And I'm not one to go all loopy in the presence of celebrities, either. I'll have you know that I once passed Michael Keaton on a stairway and didn't even fall down the steps once.

[cbdo2007]

31. I didn't click....but maybe people are just being polite.

What do they think people are going to mob her when she walks outside? For the most part, people aren't assholes when they see a famous person, especially one who they know isn't out there trying to get attention.

[Blue_Tires]

33. k+r

[ProfessorGAC]

36. I'm Dubious

I cannot believe she would take such a foolish risk.
She knows the impact of her fame and the potential for harm
Too smart to go out alone
This fails the "hmmmm" test.

[jmg257]

37. Any more info? i.e. WHY? Why are black women invisible? I didn't see the explanation. nt

[dembotoz]

39. one of my favorite scenes from the movie Dave is when the pres and first lady get pulled over by the

cops


part of the goofy eyed dem in me hopes it true

another part the realistic grumpy old guy says what a hell of a risk

[GoCubsGo]

40. I rarely recognize people who I run into in places where I don't normally see them.

I have had people, usually former co-workers, come up to me numerous times and berate me for "ignoring them" in the grocery store or wherever. I didn't ignore them. I was busy grocery shopping, and therefore oblivious to everything beside the task at hand. If I'm used to seeing someone at the gym, or at work, or wherever, and I see them somewhere else, my brain tends not to make the connection.

I suspect that this is probably more of people seeing Mrs. Obama out of context, than ignoring her because she is either female, or because of her age and/or skin color. That's not say this kind of thing doesn't happen. As a 50-something female, I can attest women of my age group DO become invisible. Ditto if you happen to be overweight (at any age.)