Michelle Obama Gets Criticism for Praising Beyoncé as a ‘Role Model’
Friday was Beyoncé’s birthday, or #BeyDay, and Michelle Obama wished her happy birthday on twitter. That turned out to be more controversial than you might expect.
Here’s the First Lady’s tweet:
Happy birthday to the one and only, Queen ! Thank you for being a role model for young girls around the world, @Beyonce. -mo
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) September 4, 2015
The objectionable part to many was the classification as a “role model.” As Mediaite has documented previously, Republican politicians and conservative pundits have been rather critical of the pop icon for being too sexual and, thus, not being a good role model for young girls.
Ans so, of course, the First Lady’s tweet got some not-so-positive reactions:
@FLOTUS how is this a role model for young girls @Beyonce pic.twitter.com/3qno1dczfS
— Rahul K (@peanutbut) September 5, 2015
@FLOTUS @Beyonce If she is a role model, then what exactly is your definition of "bad influence"?
— LisetteInBlue (@bookgirl8) September 5, 2015
@FLOTUS @officialroycey Role Model? Yeah, I can't wait for the day my 12 yr daughter gives it a bit of this. pic.twitter.com/VaY8qfMgfk
— Ian Collins (@iancollinsuk) September 4, 2015
@FLOTUS @WorldWideKilah @Beyonce role model how?
— busy gettin a degree (@rippleffects_) September 4, 2015
@FLOTUS @Beyonce with all due respect, I do not see how a woman who dresses as she does and sings such explicit lyrics is a role model.
— Bernadette Stokem (@BStokem) September 4, 2015
@FLOTUS – I have huge respect for you, First Lady, but in what way is Beyonce a role model? Or a feminist? Not in my books.
— Barbara L.B. Storey (@barbaralbstorey) September 4, 2015
@FLOTUS @Beyonce role model? Someone who supports the protestors in ferguson should not be considered a role model #Trump2016
— brittany ballacchino (@britty6988) September 5, 2015
A writer for former Congressman Allen West‘s website posted about it and connected it to Planned Parenthood and terrorism:
Can we really be that surprised the Obamas encourage this type of role model? I mean they lit up the White House with the gay pride flag for gosh sake. We have an administration that allows federally funded agencies to sell baby parts for profit. Tag onto that giving gays the “right” to marry (a “right” the rest of us don’t have, by the way). Pin to that good ol’ race baiting. And let’s round it off by making the U.S. a sponsor of terrorism through our support of terrorism-supporting nations.
Obama said back in 2012 that “Beyoncé could not be a better role model for my girls because she carries herself with such class and poise and has so much talent.”
[h/t The Blaze]
[image via screengrab]
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