First Lady Michelle Obama (Ooh, it felt good to type that!)

Earlier today, I was talking to a couple of friends about the Obama Victory. We talked about how great it was that President-Elect Obama was able to defy the odds, and go on to be elected President of the United States.

We also talked about how great it is that we not only have our first African American president; but also how we have our first African American first lady. Michelle is a shining example to the world that African American women can be smart, kind, supportive, charming, strong, confident, gentle, loving, and responsible. You talking about a Proverbs 31 Woman... This sistah is bad!

I'm so glad that Michelle Obama is going to serve as our first lady. But I'm also glad that she will be a positive image of an African American woman to not only Americans, but the entire world.

Thanks to various agents of socialization, primarily hip hop, the world sees black women as hoochies, video hos, big booty pole dancers, and gold-diggers. In fact, it is quite common for hip hop artist to refer to the women they are in contact with (black women) as bitches.

And other agents of socialization, such as television and news, try to paint Black women as being angry, loud, mouthy, and aggressive. They even tried to do this to Michelle. But the sistah gracefully declined their offer to paint her with a broad brush. She handled herself with class and sophistication, even when they were coming against her hard. And I'm sure that they will continue to challenge her gracefulness. But I am confident that Michelle will gracefully and tenaciously show them that a Black woman is able to balance the lion and the lamb.

I'm also glad that First Lady Obama will be able to be a positive role model to not only her daughters, but also to little African American girls and teenagers. They will know that they too can achieve their wildest dreams by working hard, by staying committed, and by insisting on the best options for their lives.

And finally, I'm hoping that Michelle Obama's presence in the White House with her man, Barack Obama, will show the world that black love still exists; that black women are capable of being wives, not just baby-mamas; that a successful black man can find a black woman endearing; and that a black family can be in tact.

Thank you God for sending us one of the baddest sistahs around. May God richly bless, empower, protect, enlighten, and prosper First Lady Michelle Obama, one of my newest role models.