Baby Mama Drama
Earlier this week, the esteemed Fox News Channel referred to Michelle Obama as “Obama’s Baby Mama.” To some, the reference was blatantly offensive, rude, and just plain stupid. After all, the term completely undermines Ms. Obama’s many accomplishments in a glib, condescending way and simultaneously raises the specter of both sexism and racism in one fell swoop. However, as a reputable news organization, I’m sure that Fox — in its continued quest to be fair and balanced — had absolutely no intention of engaging in such dubious tactics. Surely this was an innocent mix-up — one producer’s ill-fated attempt to engage in “the slang” of America’s youth. How can a news organization be held at fault for merely trying to speak the language of the MTV generation? It’s all about reaching the teens, making them part of the process, is it not? Fox surely couldn’t pass up this golden opportunity to show that they were “2 legit 2 quit, hey hey.”
Put yourself in their shoes: they have to file a report about how all those weak and ridiculous liberals are absolutely outraged about the Republican attacks on Michelle Obama. What to do? Sure, they could put up a graphic that says “Voters outraged at treatment of Michelle Obama,” but that has no sizzle. What’s sexy about that? Just the plain facts? No, that won’t do.
How about something a bit more provocative: “Outraged Liberals: Stop Picking on Michelle Obama!” Hmmm…it’s a little condescending, especially in the way it makes Obama supporters sound like whiny little kids tattling on the playground — but hey, sometimes you gotta trivialize the Blue States to keep the eyeballs. Still, what about the kids? Are they gonna look at this and say to themselves, “Fox News speaks my language”? No. They won’t. So it’s time to amp it up just a little more.
That’s when the light bulb moment happens. Why not call Michelle Obama “Obama’s Baby Mama?” It’s perfect! First of all, it rhymes, which is reason enough to put it on the screen. Second, there was a very popular movie this spring called Baby Mama, and that starred two white chicks, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
As you can see, there surely was no ulterior motive to denigrate Ms. Obama by Fox News. It was merely the unfortunate outcome of a hip, pop cultural reference mixed with the impulse to rhyme. That’s all! Still, despite the absolutely benign reasoning behind the controversial graphic, some just can’t stop jumping all over poor Fox News. People, they didn’t know what they were doing! They’re a news organization, for crying out loud! How were they to know that “Baby Mama” would be such an obviously offensive phrase, especially when in reference to the first African-American woman to have a serious shot at being our next First Lady? I think it’s time we stop holding the media so accountable and take a look at ourselves. Maybe we’re the ones being too sensitive. By all means, Fox News, continue on with your brave mission.
Typical!!!!!!!! Fox needs a wake up call.
Ben, throughout the course of history, misinformation is blatantly writen in history books and written accounts. Something that is said today “by mistake” or is just an “out-and-out lie” somehow becomes a twisted fact when viewed by future generations. Poor “attempts to relate” with misinformation. This leaves us with very little in history that is true…get it! I always understood that a “baby’s mama” was an unmarried mother or unmarried mother to his children kind of thing…I could be wrong but at least I am admitting it. In any case the term does not relate to Mrs. Obama in any way….get it!
Besides, isn’t it the credo of a good news angency to report the truth…..in the form of facts…well researched facts? Poor reporting of facts or the news, should not be forgiven if the news angency prides itself in being top notch….I think a public apology is owed to Mrs. Michelle Obama.
Ah, Fox News… Their stupidity amuses me. Good material for Jon Stewart, though.
Thanks Marie for explaining this to Ben and his Baby Mama.