Why Barack & Michelle Rock

Take a look at this photo from the Huffington Post’s slideshow of this week’s G-20 summit in Pittsburgh:

Pres. and Mrs. Obama greet Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (CLICK IMAGE to see it larger)

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is basically ogling First Lady Michelle Obama. Notice that Mrs. Obama has a very assertive posture. Actually it’s a little bit dominant. There are several feet between them. She has tilted her head just a tad to look down at him and extended her hand to shake his, just as she would in any other professional situation.

Now look at President Obama. He is standing back. He knows his wife can handle the guy but look at that hand. It’s ready at his side, just in case Italy’s Oficial Sleazebag decides to try anything. And the expression on President Obama’s face? “Do not pull any of your dirty B.S. with my wife First she’ll kick your behind and then I will.”  (Or something like that. There were probably a few more “Rahm” bombs in there but I’ll let you use your imagination.)

What I love about this picture is that the Obamas are showing all of us what it means to be confident, assertive partners in a healthy relationship. Michelle Obama has taken control of this potentially dicey situation and decided she will not be taken advantage of by this guy. She is First Lady of the United States and she will not allow to play his games with her.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama’s body language is very clearly saying, “Do not disrespect my wife. I do not approve of how you treat women.”

As we have seen an uptick in high-profile domestic violence lately (Rihanna, Tila Tequila), it seems to me that both men and women need a refresher course in respect and relationships.

Men need to learn to respect women a little more (ok, a lot more). Women need to learn how to respect ourselves a little more and realize that we are worthy of healthy, commited relationships. I realize it’s far more complicated than that. Still, Barack and Michelle Obama’s relationship can be an example for all of us of what a loving marriage and partnership should look like.

See also:

President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama share a moment as they wait for guests to arrive at the G-20 reception they hosted.

The Obamas wrap things up by sharing another moment