On ‘A Perennial Press Opera’: “The fairy-tale coverage of Obama makes it impossible to assess his credentials. With the election now being so heavily influenced by journalists’ whims and the drive for TV ratings, our democracy faces an uncertain future.” Horace N. Barker Jr. Chattanooga, Tenn.
Michelle Obama, Political Spouse With little knowledge of Sen. Barack Obama beyond his 2004 convention speech, books and relatively scant media coverage, my wife and I have sported OBAMA IN ‘08 bumper stickers since he first announced his run for president a political eon ago (“Barack’s Rock,” Feb. 25). The more I have seen and heard him since, the more he has demonstrated charisma, organizational genius and the ability to inspire and transport an audience to a plain of hopeful idealism and reckless endeavor. Indeed, I would say Barack has the personal gifts and dynamic appeal to become a first-rate demagogue save for the ballast and humility that Michelle’s tough-minded practicality and even tougher love provide. She is one more reason to appreciate the piercingly right judgment of her husband in important human matters like love and war, peace, unity and leadership. Rev. Dr. D. David Clemons Yucca Valley, Calif.
When I saw the cover of the Feb. 25 issue, I immediately thought, “Wow! Another Jackie Kennedy!” She’s got style, grace, smarts, poise, good looks and strong family values. I’m voting for Michelle Obama for First Lady! Beverly Roberts St. Augustine, Fla.
Howard Fineman was generous enough to include me in “Part of Something Larger,” on the rising cadre of black Ivy Leaguers who have been galvanized by Barack Obama’s campaign. While I graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College, I was emphatically not at the top of my class. If I had been, I would have been much too smart to go into politics. Rep. Artur Davis, Alabama Democrat Washington, D.C.
I am a full-time caregiver to two young children and a Democrat supporting Barack Obama who happens to be white and female. I was dismayed when Raina Kelley, in “A Real Wife, in a Real Marriage,” on the stereotypes Michelle Obama must confront, perpetuated stereotypes about stay-at-home moms. She refers to this occupation as a “gilded cage” and presents the dilemma of paid employment versus full-time caregiving as the “baking-versus-working tension” and a “luxury” available only to privileged white women. Yet NEWSWEEK’s cover story about Michelle Obama describes how her mother, Marian Robinson, worked as a stay-at-home mom while the family lived in a small apartment. The article also notes that Robinson takes care of the Obama children while their parents are on the campaign trail. I certainly don’t begrudge Kelley her ability to pursue a lucrative, challenging career and find affordable, quality child care. However, she disrespects Marian Robinson and all those others (whether black or white, female or male, paid or unpaid) who educate and take care of young children when she so casually dismisses this fulfilling and vital work. Dara Wilson Allgeier Oak Park, Calif.
Parents Want Kids to Look Perfect I read “Say ‘Cheese!’ and now say ‘Airbrush!’ " (Feb. 25), about airbrushing out children’s flaws from their school pictures. For 60 years people have been telling me to cap my teeth and remove a mark on my cheek so I’d look prettier. These are not flaws, they’re part of what makes me me. Children don’t have “flaws,” they have characteristics just like all of us. If we tell them to “appreciate their flaws” as photographer Kelly Price suggests, we’re telling them they are flawed, and that’s a flawed way of thinking. Nikki Harmon New York, N.Y.
The Meaning of Being Secular In ably defending the nonpejorative use of “secularism,” Lisa Miller reminds us that many in this God-fearing nation share a deep-seated mistrust and fear of people variously described as atheists, humanists or nonbelievers (“In Defense of Secularism,” Feb. 25). But perhaps this largely reflects a failure to communicate. In particular, many who self-identify as atheists, etc., use that much-abused term to signify a determination to live “without God,” not “against God.” Of course, some who live without God are immoral, intolerant and filled with hatred—but so are some who live with God. I was tempted to embrace God-hatred after learning the identity and motivation of the 9/11 terrorists. But I also realize that terrorists come in all shapes and sizes, and that alongside the grand inquisitors and witch hunters (i.e., those who terrorize in the name of God) are those who have murdered and tortured in the name of communism and fascism. So we all need to be careful not to disparage or harm others, to be as inclusive as possible. John C. Simpson North Attleboro, Mass.
Lisa Miller rightly points out that America’s Founders intended to set up a secular—i.e., religiously neutral—government, with religious freedom protected by a “wall of separation between church and state.” And Harvard humanist chaplain Greg Epstein is right in preferring the positive “humanist” to the empty and negative “atheist” or “nonbeliever.” Edd Doerr Silver Spring, Md.
Correction In “Part Of Something Larger” we said that Harold Washington was Chicago’s first and only black mayor. In fact, he was the first and only elected black mayor. NEWSWEEK regrets the error.
