For our community’s sake, I am hopeful the day will come when black women and black men come to realize that we do in fact need one another.

Monday’s “open thread” contains a record 150 posts — a large number dedicated to the very serious problems facing our community, particularly black youth (e.g. health issues, education, incarceration, etc). These problems are so great that it will take a coordinated effort — all of us working together — to address them.

Instead, we like the apostles get caught up arguing among ourselves about which of us is the greatest: from the celebration of black-male arrogance that played itself out in the 1980s (think Eddie Murphy “Delerious”) to the new black machisima being sold on the blocks now — sadly, those are JUST the gender rivalries — it’s all total bullshit.

I believe if Jesus heard some of our conversations, he would grab a black kid and gently remind us: “for he (or she) that is least among you all, the same shall be great.”

In other words Peter, James, John and company, maybe there’s room for you bragging Talented-Twelth folks to be a little bit more humble, a little bit more anxious to serve, a little bit more ready to love.

Rick

(And I ain’t hating on light skin sisters. I happen to be one of them. But with that being said, the truth is the truth.)

And let’s not forget that sisters like Michelle don’t pick no chump to be her husband. Women as bright, intelligent, and strong as Michelle don’t just mess around with losers.

So, while I think that Obama has his problems, I think that we need to understand that Obama is a great guy. Michelle Obama proves that. And since he has a wife like Michelle, whatever shortcomings he has, trust me she is helping him improve.

“Point out a perfect man, and I’ll point you out as a person with an active imagination.”

Angie

Women like her don’t men who aren’t doing something for themselves. They’d rather stay single than be forced to “settle”. My evidence? A whole lot of (single) ‘Michelles’ out there content in their careers and professional aspirations until they find the right man who complements her, and vice versa…and the thousands of conversations I’ve had on this topic. Conversations we all have with our friends when we meet with them and discuss “dating”.

He’s got a great catch. She’s got a great catch too. They are both blessed. I admire them both! God bless em…

But, I also think this is a major step for the campaign.

TPJ, I always crack up when I read you writing about Michelle, because I agree. And, whatever you think of Obama, I do think he’s smart enough to know that he just wouldn’t have made it this far without her.

And, I agree…Brothas, there are a whole lot of ‘Michelles’ out there.

Denise, you are right. Up to now, she’s been able to straddle it all, but this isn’t a Senate seat. This is for The White House. If she didn’t help him in every way possible, she’d always regret it.

And, it’s true- between a campaign, and her kids, she’ll always be busy.

I’m sure she’ll have a more active advisory role so she won’t get bored.

I commend her for not trying to have it all and killing herself in the process.

If she becomes the nation’s first African-American First Lady, she will define her role in the White House, and only Jacqueline Kennedy would be able to compare to her…and Jackie will compare very poorly to this powerful sista.

Most sistas are like Michelle Obama – we just don’t have the celebrity status she has. But take heart, brothas, cause Obama didn’t get the last one…;-)

From what I’ve heard her say, her Mama keeps the children for her. This is a BIG STEP.

This is probably a serious step for her, and one she didn’t take lightly.

It’s not like if he loses, she won’t be able to find employment again..

LOL

Something had to give, and I bet the kids had a lot to do with it. I bet they’ll be glued to her this summer when they get out of school.