--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Look at Michelle Obama. Everyone keeps…" description: "\"Look at Michelle Obama. Everyone keeps making a big deal about her arms being exposed, but don't get it twisted: her arms are out for a reason. Black w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/latanya-richardson-21637_about_look-at-michelle-obama-everyone-keeps-ma_3021915.jpg" --- # Look at Michelle Obama. Everyone keeps making a big deal… ![“Look at Michelle Obama. Everyone keeps making a big deal about her arms being exposed, but don't get it twisted: her arms are out for a reason. Black women have had those arms forever - lifting, picking cotton, toting and carrying babies.” quote by LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/latanya-richardson-21637_about_look-at-michelle-obama-everyone-keeps-ma_3021915.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/latanya-richardson-21637_about_look-at-michelle-obama-everyone-keeps-ma_3021915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/latanya-richardson-21637_about_look-at-michelle-obama-everyone-keeps-ma_3021915.jpg) > “Look at Michelle Obama. Everyone keeps making a big deal about her arms being exposed, but don't get it twisted: her arms are out for a reason. Black women have had those arms forever - lifting, picking cotton, toting and carrying babies.” [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote celebrates Black women’s historical labor and strength, urging recognition of their empowerment beyond superficial criticism. **In simple terms:** Honors Black women’s historic labor and strength. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and respect the deeper significance of their presence. Themes empowerment body representation Mood thoughtful critical Type commentary inspirational When to use this quote - public discourse - media analysis - social activism Key Concepts historical labor social justice media critique Questions to Reflect On - How can we shift focus from aesthetics to contributions? - What narratives reinforce stereotypes? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on appearance can erase cultural context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Babies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/babies/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Black women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-women/) [Lifting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifting/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) ## Related quotes > [Edie Sedgwick, Debbie Harry, Chloe Sevigny, Michelle Obama, and my friend Eugenie Niarchos each have their own great sense of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-von-thurn-und-taxis/edie-sedgwick-debbie-harry-chloe-sevigny-michelle-obama-and-my-friend/) [Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-von-thurn-und-taxis/) > [Michelle Obama is a major asset for the president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-crowley/michelle-obama-is-a-major-asset-for-the-president/) [Monica Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-crowley/) > [Michelle Obama has gone from political skeptic to political partner to a woman with a White House agenda of her own, and an approval…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-kantor/michelle-obama-has-gone-from-political-skeptic-to-political-partner/) [Jodi Kantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-kantor/) > [I think Michelle Obama is on the right track with her Let's Move campaign to bring down childhood obesity. She and I come from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-schock/i-think-michelle-obama-is-on-the-right-track-with-her-let-s-move/) [Aaron Schock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-schock/) > [Michelle Obama blows my mind. Form and function, style and grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bellamy-young/michelle-obama-blows-my-mind-form-and-function-style-and-grace/) [Bellamy Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bellamy-young/) > [A perfectly fitted sheath dress that can take you from day to night is something that every woman should have in her closet. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-wu/a-perfectly-fitted-sheath-dress-that-can-take-you-from-day-to-night/) [Jason Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-wu/) > [One of my favorite stories is from Obama's first campaign: Michelle Obama was out there every day, collecting signatures and supervising the other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-kantor/one-of-my-favorite-stories-is-from-obama-s-first-campaign-michelle/) [Jodi Kantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-kantor/) > [Michelle Obama, you're one hot mama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyra-banks/michelle-obama-you-re-one-hot-mama/) [Tyra Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyra-banks/) > [Jackie O was so capable in so many ways. Hillary tried to redefine the role when she got into public policy, and Michelle Obama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bellamy-young/jackie-o-was-so-capable-in-so-many-ways-hillary-tried-to-redefine-the/) [Bellamy Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bellamy-young/) > [You're never going to be able to delve into the character traits of a Michelle Obama or Hillary Clinton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-wright/you-re-never-going-to-be-able-to-delve-into-the-character-traits-of-a/) [Robin Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-wright/) > [Some of the companies we helped start are names you know. An office supply company called Staples - where I'm pleased to see the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/some-of-the-companies-we-helped-start-are-names-you-know-an-office/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I would love to speak with First Lady Michelle Obama about the addictive component of obesity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-velez-mitchell/i-would-love-to-speak-with-first-lady-michelle-obama-about-the/) [Jane Velez-Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-velez-mitchell/) > [Previous first ladies seemed to feel the need to wear a sort of uniform, whereas Michelle Obama likes fashion and is very comfortable in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-wintour/previous-first-ladies-seemed-to-feel-the-need-to-wear-a-sort-of/) [Anna Wintour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-wintour/) > [Michelle has had to grapple with Hilary Clinton's legacy as First Lady... Michelle Obama never wants to be seen as the kind of First…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-kantor/michelle-has-had-to-grapple-with-hilary-clinton-s-legacy-as-first/) [Jodi Kantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-kantor/) > [I'd love to have First Lady Michelle Obama over and ask, 'How do you make your marriage work?' I think the president is sexy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherri-shepherd/i-d-love-to-have-first-lady-michelle-obama-over-and-ask-how-do-you/) [Sherri Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherri-shepherd/) ## More by LaTanya Richardson > [There is no one American beauty or just one beautiful color in the pantheon, especially in regards to black people - there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/there-is-no-one-american-beauty-or-just-one-beautiful-color-in-the/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [I'm always in awe at how fast television is and how quickly you're called upon to be 100 percent invested in a character with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/i-m-always-in-awe-at-how-fast-television-is-and-how-quickly-you-re/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [I didn't want my daughter brought up by nannies, and I didn't want her to feel I wasn't around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/i-didn-t-want-my-daughter-brought-up-by-nannies-and-i-didn-t-want-her/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [Atlanta was a welcoming presence for a lot of artists; they called it 'the Mecca of the South.' I got to see the Negro…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/atlanta-was-a-welcoming-presence-for-a-lot-of-artists-they-called-it/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [I came to New York in 1974, when I graduated from college. And you had to use 'Backstage' because all of the auditions were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/i-came-to-new-york-in-1974-when-i-graduated-from-college-and-you-had/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [If I can stay centered, I'm basically going to be living in the world a happy person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/if-i-can-stay-centered-i-m-basically-going-to-be-living-in-the-world/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [In the theater, it's a visceral and physical response because you move around so much. You have to do something physical to pull you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/in-the-theater-it-s-a-visceral-and-physical-response-because-you-move/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [Our joy was to do theater. And in some theaters, the only pay we got was tokens for carfare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/our-joy-was-to-do-theater-and-in-some-theaters-the-only-pay-we-got/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [From the moment I saw 'Camelot' as a kid, the organic inclination of performing before a live audience is raw and visceral. Once you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/from-the-moment-i-saw-camelot-as-a-kid-the-organic-inclination-of/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [I know it's a stock answer, but besides acting, I'd love to produce and direct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/i-know-it-s-a-stock-answer-but-besides-acting-i-d-love-to-produce-and/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [If you can make it in theater, you can make it anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/if-you-can-make-it-in-theater-you-can-make-it-anywhere/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [I think most Americans, when we're building a character, we look at the specificity of what that person is, in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/i-think-most-americans-when-we-re-building-a-character-we-look-at-the/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [Woodie King Jr., in 1970, had started a company called the New Federal Theatre, which was ensconced at the Henry Street Settlement. I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/woodie-king-jr-in-1970-had-started-a-company-called-the-new-federal/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [It used to just be a SAG card, and then you got an AFTRA card. I got my AFTRA card doing a commercial in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/it-used-to-just-be-a-sag-card-and-then-you-got-an-aftra-card-i-got-my/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [I did theater at Spelman until I graduated from there, and I got to work with such luminous actresses as Diana Sands in 'Macbeth.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/i-did-theater-at-spelman-until-i-graduated-from-there-and-i-got-to/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) [Explore all 29 LaTanya Richardson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. 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As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' 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