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MADem

(135,425 posts)
57. Nonsense. A range of emotions were being expressed in that stadium.
Wed Dec 11, 2013, 10:09 AM
Dec 2013

People were crying, people were laughing, people were remembering fondly, there were anecdotes told, people were getting choked up and reflective, they were even ... eating! They were singing constantly, in fact, there was a call to "tone it down" so the speakers could be heard at the start of the formal activities.

I think a big huge mistake is made when people overlay their OWN cultural imperatives over an activity -- like memorializing a death -- that can vary across the world. Many Americans adopt the stoic model where they stick the body in a box and everyone frowns. The music is mostly subdued with a little celebration, and no one speaks ill of the dead. Then everyone gathers around the hole in the ground and looks, well...grave.

That's not how it's done in other parts of the world. In South Africa, it looks like you're allowed to "own your own feelings." Personally, I think that's probably healthier. Let Michelle own her own feelings.

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And then--there's THIS....and it's from the Torygraph, too, which might have an ax to grind:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/nelson-mandela/10510877/Michelle-Obama-was-not-unhappy-during-Nelson-Mandela-selfie-photographer-insists.html

Michelle Obama was not unhappy during Nelson Mandela 'selfie', photographer insists
AFP photographer who took picture of Barack Obama, David Cameron and Denmark's Helle Thorning-Schmidt, insists Michelle Obama had been smiling only moments before


.... it was a misleading image capturing a natural and relaxed atmosphere, according to Roberto Schmidt, the AFP photographer responsible for the snap.
"Anyway, suddenly this woman pulled out her mobile phone and took a photo of herself smiling with Cameron and the US president," he wrote in a blog for AFP. "I captured the scene reflexively. All around me in the stadium, South Africans were dancing, singing and laughing to honour their departed leader. It was more like a carnival atmosphere, not at all morbid.

"The ceremony had already gone on for two hours and would last another two. The atmosphere was totally relaxed – I didn’t see anything shocking in my viewfinder, president of the US or not. We are in Africa.
"I later read on social media that Michelle Obama seemed to be rather peeved on seeing the Danish prime minister take the picture. But photos can lie. In reality, just a few seconds earlier the first lady was herself joking with those around her, Cameron and Schmidt included. Her stern look was captured by chance." ...


Now, those are the words of the guy who took the pictures. I think perhaps we might want to take his word ahead of any social media sites trying to shit-stir, don't you?

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Sure looks like it.......what's the backstory? CaliforniaPeggy Dec 2013 #1
Who knows? HipChick Dec 2013 #4
Her expression seems consistent with the occasion. Habibi Dec 2013 #14
ExFreakingZactly! Cha Dec 2013 #19
She's at a funeral and she's paying attention. That's the backstory. n/t pnwmom Dec 2013 #62
that's the problem with unscripted photography FatBuddy Dec 2013 #2
I think you are right. Hoyt Dec 2013 #3
Who is she? n/t doc03 Dec 2013 #5
Danish PM. longship Dec 2013 #8
This message was self-deleted by its author Jamaal510 Dec 2013 #9
Who is the homewrecker? Vattel Dec 2013 #6
lol SummerSnow Dec 2013 #13
I hope people know that I was joking. Vattel Dec 2013 #15
I knew you were joking SummerSnow Dec 2013 #43
AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service Paulie Dec 2013 #49
Wow Lee-Lee Dec 2013 #7
Thanks for dragging this FR filth in here. The other poster had the decency to self-delete. Did... Tarheel_Dem Dec 2013 #10
OMG, I think your jealous. Vattel Dec 2013 #16
them's fightin woids! that's it... dionysus Dec 2013 #20
LOL at that pic! I wonder if there's one showing "sad"; "melancholy"; "exuberant"? A thousand.... Tarheel_Dem Dec 2013 #32
My rolls usually only have 24 exposures... Dr Hobbitstein Dec 2013 #35
The poster to whom I was actually responding knows exactly what I was talking about. Tarheel_Dem Dec 2013 #37
Welcome back? Dr Hobbitstein Dec 2013 #39
This message was self-deleted by its author Tarheel_Dem Dec 2013 #36
That's funny. Judging people by the expression on their faces is the ultimate 'can't judge a book Lint Head Dec 2013 #11
lol..too funny. SummerSnow Dec 2013 #12
Unhappy at a funeral. madamesilverspurs Dec 2013 #17
Damn the busybodies. Cha Dec 2013 #22
That's exactly what I thought the second I opened the thread. But I find the comments from folks Number23 Dec 2013 #45
Huh. Puglover Dec 2013 #18
Yeah go figure maddezmom Dec 2013 #23
Actually, her demeanor seems appropriate considering the event. 1000words Dec 2013 #21
please confine Michelle related posts to those that are fawning and worshipful, 'k? :-) nt msongs Dec 2013 #24
yes, we "worship" michelle. teh bitter is strong... dionysus Dec 2013 #41
please don't ever be a detective or sit on a jury. Schema Thing Dec 2013 #25
Solemn at a memorial service - how dare she! What total freaking BS. dballance Dec 2013 #26
I hope he's not in trouble. (doghouse) Sinnakka Dec 2013 #27
Get ready for "truth and reconciliation" session on Air Force One FarCenter Dec 2013 #28
I'm not certain Jenoch Dec 2013 #29
Your post is a FAR more appropriate response than "uh oh, Michelle is JEALOUS!" to these pics Number23 Dec 2013 #46
It might be that Michelle Jenoch Dec 2013 #47
Michelle was not jealous, and I've got proof. Also, the conduct of everyone in those photos was MADem Dec 2013 #58
Desmond Tutu was shimmying like your sister Kate, and laughing up a storm. MADem Dec 2013 #54
Using your theory, Jenoch Dec 2013 #56
Nonsense. A range of emotions were being expressed in that stadium. MADem Dec 2013 #57
You certainly are good at making Jenoch Dec 2013 #59
Please be more specific. nt MADem Dec 2013 #61
Oh for Christ's sake, can't we just get back to real news. Coyotl Dec 2013 #30
It is obvious to me that She'll get custody of the kids. Vox Moi Dec 2013 #31
+1 Best analysis yet. Old and In the Way Dec 2013 #33
This message was self-deleted by its author hellofrommaine Dec 2013 #42
That's hilarious. In_The_Wind Dec 2013 #44
I gots nothing to say. Nothing. Little Star Dec 2013 #34
Making Something out of Nothing dem in texas Dec 2013 #38
wrong word. dem in texas Dec 2013 #40
Well he is the President Beringia Dec 2013 #48
These are fellow world leaders, not groupies. 1000words Dec 2013 #52
What I really wanna see now.. ananda Dec 2013 #50
I think she looked very sad looking at the picture of Nelson Mandela on the memorial program polly7 Dec 2013 #51
Looks like somebody had to change seats. mwrguy Dec 2013 #53
He is going home with blue14u Dec 2013 #55
Good God, not this crap again. NuclearDem Dec 2013 #60
I can't decide which is more amusing LittleBlue Dec 2013 #63
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