I just had to share this pic that I saw on Facebook yesterday and posted on my page. This picture just makes my heart swell with joy for two reasons. First,
I always love seeing a little girl who adores her daddy and a daddy who
adores his little girl.
But second … and this is what inspired the title of this post … look
at Sasha’s hair. Which one of us doesn’t have a similar pic of us
playing at some time, some place, hair everywhere … and having the time
of our lives? To see this captured moment … the daughter of the President of the United States of America,
not perfectly coiffed, but looking just like “every little black girl
USA,” shoot, “every little black girl” period … no facades … no pretense
… no dolled up, whitewashed version of a black family that is “safe”
for public viewing … feels like a really existential moment in time. I
feel it in my bones. I feel it in my soul. There’s about to be a paradigm shift mannnnn!!! We are here, we are black, we are women and we are worthy just the way we are!!
That is all!
Lawd, black folks reach for anything to validate their worth. So sad.
@ Anon 2:17, I think I understand where you're coming from, but the reality is that little Black girls/girls of color have to search far and wide for this kind of affirmation, so I say this is special for "every little black girl"…why not?
PREACH PASTOR!!
Wow thanks for helping me see the shift in our awareness. For I remember My mom refusing to buy my School pictures because by the time I left home, had lunch , played at recess and took pictures , my hair would look like this. My hair always did this ,it had a mind of its own. So thanks for helping us to see the beauty of this picture on a much deeper level.
Thanks everyone!! Yeah, this picture just moved me! I first just looked and smiled because of their expressions and how regular and happy they are!! But then, Sasha's hair broke my consciousness and hit me in the chest! I was like, "Wow!!! Look at that!!" Something so little, so normal, is so deep.
So happy that you all enjoyed it!!
Shelli
The true image of what the american family should be. This image illustrates REAL love. It makes me smile because our President makes it known that family is important and nothing is more important to him than his faith and his family!!! I LOVE THIS photo thank you for sharing!!!
*heart swell* This is The Leader of the Free World and the beautiful First Daughter, guys!
I have fond memories of me and Black, White, Latina friends with our fuzzy, feathery, wisps exploding out of our pigtails. I think of simplicity, family and optimism like the photo.
Therefore I'm totally confident in the paradigm shift Shelli writes of! We have a successful legacy of reimagining norms by being unapologetically visible, conquering stigma and ingraining our positive image in the popular subconscious. Our hair is loose/loc'd, defined/unbound, matte/glossy, easygoing/polished, conservative/flamboyant, straight/coiled and everything else – we are perfectly without boundaries and I agree "worthy just the way we are".
I wish I had my father in my life, but the Obama's are just real they laugh, joke go on vacations together and Barack and Michelle are very involved in their children's lives as a team. My mother is a single parent, so she is my mother and father she played with my brothers and I took us places, even when she was tired working two jobs to support four children by herself, but she did it. I love seeing. BEAUTIFUL happy black families , especially fathers who love their children together and enjoying themselves. I would want that if I have children someday.
Megan Montgomery
4 more years!!
love it!
CHUURCH!!
To anonymous @2:17, while race SHOULDN'T matter, the reality is that it DOES, so let us have a moment to enjoy a picture of a beautiful ittle black girl having fun with her dad.
Please vote in November!
LOVE IT.
"We are here, we are black, we are women and we are worthy just the way we are!
This is the most significant thing that I've read today; totally worth saying again.
…just as we are
How precious! I love that we can see the joy on their faces. My little girls' hair often looks like this after playing.
SO SWEET!!That is the way I look in most of my childhood vacation pics.
* High pitched squeal* Daddy Slow down !!! * High pitched giggle*
i love this pic. i think your comments are wonderful, but i beg to differ on one point. it's not just "every little black girl," but every little girl. race does not always have to matter.
They are cheeeesing, I love it!! Such a sweet picture.
"We are here, we are black, we are women and we are worthy just the way we are!!" YES!!!
Great post. I have SO many pics like this! Including school pics… Which brings me to the question: Why don't schools take official pics at the BEGINNING of the day?
I love this post :)! I have so many childhood pictures where my hair looks just like Sasha's. It makes my heart swell to know that I (or my future daughter!) has that in common with the President's child.
L.O.V.E. This photo speaks volumes in so many ways! Thanks for sharing as I plan to share it with many more……
I love this picture!! And I don't think many folks know that Sasha's REAL name is Natasha!! 🙂
Dear Shelli,
Here Here!!! You summed up everyting I felt on first sight of this picture!
Michelle
I love, LOVE the Obama's. They are a beautiful family, which you don't see too often in the media.
Love the photo! Something so sweet about dads and daughters!
Shelli, loved your commentary. I had a vision of you dropping the microphone and walking off stage. LOL!!
Great photo. They're having a ball!
changed!
That's not Malia. That's Sasha.
that's actually sasha obama in the photo. malia is the older daughter.
I love the photo as well, it does remind me of a lot of my childhood pics where you didn't have a care in the world. It does make you remember that she is just a little girl like every other girl her dad just happens to be Presdient. Love this post & pic
Brooke B.
love itt!!!! it's all about havin fun & enjoyin bein a kid!!!! for both Dad & daughter!!! <3