There’s something about our inherent appreciation for beauty. It can be a sunset, a stunning piece of art, or even each other. We find ourselves captivated, almost instinctively, without anyone teaching us this response.
However, Michelle Obama argues differently. In a podcast episode aired on November 12, titled “The Power of Hair: Identity, Legacy, and Black Femininity.” the former first lady claimed that society must be taught to value black beauty.
In this episode, featuring Cosmopolitan beauty editor Julie Wilson, actress Marsai Martin, and stylist Yenne Damtu, Michelle promotes her new book, *The Look*, which repackages her long-held views on identity politics under a guise of empowerment.
She stated that there are “no standards of beauty,” emphasizing that what we see in magazines reflects mere “taste,” not true beauty. Michelle underscored the necessity to educate people about diverse forms of beauty.
“Our beauty is powerful and unique enough to warrant respect for who we are and what we contribute to the world,” she said.
Contradicting this idea, Jason Whitlock, host of “Fearless” on Blaze TV, remarked that he never felt the need for an education to identify beauty. He recalled recognizing beauty in people from a young age, noting sentiments like, “Oh, that’s a beautiful woman. That’s a handsome man.”
“Fearless” contributor Shemeka Michelle echoed this sentiment, claiming, “We don’t need lessons on beauty; it simply exists. Michelle sounds ridiculous. She keeps coming up with this victim narrative.”
Jason countered Michelle’s views by asserting that while objective beauty exists, aspects like “attitude” are critical. Traits like kindness, self-confidence, and faith can enhance one’s appeal.
Unfortunately, he pointed out, many women engage in behaviors that undermine their natural attractiveness. He explained that the sort of feminism embraced by many black women and female leaders often obscures their beauty, asserting that “bitterness and anger” are undesirable.
“It’s rather unappealing when you’re wealthy and surrounded by admiration, yet still harbor resentment and complain,” he remarked.
Both Jason and Shemeka believe that Melania Trump, with her graceful demeanor, exemplifies beauty better than Michelle Obama does.
To dive deeper into their discussion, you can watch the provided clip above.
