Posted on 05/12/2011 1:33:04 PM PDT by Lucky9teen
By now, the photo is a classic. It's become one of the most viewed images on Flickr, a mesmerizing picture that suggests as much as it reveals.
But look deeper and that photo becomes historic in a more subtle way. It's a snapshot of how much this nation's attitudes about race, women and presidential swagger are changing, several scholars and historians say.
"When Obama was elected, there were some people who thought that we had crossed a racial threshold," Ambar says. "What his presidency is revealing is that there are many crossings."
A black man becomes 'protector in chief'
There's no historical precedent for this image, she says. White Americans now see a black man not just as their president but their "protector in chief," Contee says.
Women at the center of power
Yet you see two powerful women in the Situation Room photograph -- Clinton and Audrey Tomason, director for counterterrorism, who is straining to see from the back. Their inclusion shows how far women have come, Ambar says, even though Clinton's response is ambiguous because she's covering her mouth in what looks to be alarm.
Obama gets a little swagger
Yet Obama's willingness to be photographed without the typical Oval Office swagger gives birth to a new type of swagger, says Contee of Jack & Jill Politics.
She says that photo shows Obama's self-assurance and leadership style. He seeks out the opinions of his advisers. He believes in collaboration -- all while he's taking down the baddest terrorist on the planet.
He doesn't need to wear a "Top Gun" flight jacket to project strength.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Or maybe they are just completely delusional...jeesh. Talk about barf alert...
It’s a Rorschach test for the Left... they’re telling us what they so desperately want.
Hoo boy - yep major barfer there.
Let’s knock down another barrier - Palin ‘12!!!
That’s a pretty good Photoshop except Biden’s hat should definitely be a dunce cap.
i believe morgan freeman was the first black president or protector in chief in the movie... armageddon or was it sudden impact... one of those...
so it isn’t that big of a deal...
but i do love the photoshoppe hysterical record...
teeman
this pic is my fava favorite.
LOL
t
Geee... no bias here...
“A black man becomes ‘protector in chief’”
“Obama gets a little swagger”
__________________________________________
Author should lay off the controlled substances. There is nothing that indicates Obammie has that ‘protector in chief’ look or that he ‘gets a little swagger’.
You see Obama in a tiny little chair - all hunched over - looking like a kid while the grown-up discuss grown-up things.
He just came in from the golf course. It looks like he’s wearing Joe Biden’s jacket which is 3 sizes too big for him.
Our poser in cheif is a joke.
White Americans now see a black man not just as their president but their “protector in chief,” Contee says.
Oh yeah... I see him now. The guy cowering in the back ..right?
I think the message most people get is that Obama is in anything but control.
The person making the decision needs to be in the power seat, because he has to be able to hear everybody and repsond to everybody. With him in a corner, he cannot hear everybody nor is he able to respond to everybody.
In an orthodox Jewish publication, the “women of power” were removed from the photo, until protests were voiced.
This hat is now being auctioned (on Ebay?) for charity.
Holy CRAP! What a complete load of horse pucky! These people couldn’t be more pathetic and in the bag for bambi and the rats if they tried!
In a parallel universe, perhaps. In this one we need protection from his economic disastrification program.
GIVE ME A FRIGGIN" BREAK!!!!! IT WILL A COLD DAMN DAY IN HELL BEFORE I SEE THAT ASSCLOWN AS MY PROTECTOR!!! AND YES, DAMN IT, I AM SCREAMING!
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