“Today does not mark the end of our economic troubles, but it does mark the beginning…of what we need to do to create jobs for Americans scrambling in the wake of layoffs; to provide relief for families worried they won’t be able to pay next month’s bills; and to set our economy on a firmer foundation.” Pres. Obama stated before signing the bill at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

On Tuesday, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law.  After weeks of partisan debates over whether the bill should be altered or even signed, it stands as the second economic bailout that Americans has witnessed just months within each other.  Desperate times call for desperate measures and whether this bill will do the miracles that some in Washington are hoping for, the people of America are in need of some kind of relief—quick, fast and in a hurry.

TV One is celebrating a victory at the 40th NAACP Image Awards for the special In Conversation: A Roland Martin Interview with Michelle Obama!  In our fifth year of covering the Black experience like only we can, its been our pleasure to bring you the stories that shape and define your life.

In this clip, the First Lady expresses the significance of her image for Black women because she knows you’re watching her. As First Lady, Michelle has all the expected duties of the office but will also take on a bigger task – representing Black women on a global stage.

“When Black women see me, they recognize themselves in me. My shape, my dress, the way I walk,” Michelle told Roland Martin during the Image Award nominated interview.

TELL US: Which do you think Michelle represents more, American women or African-American women? Tell us below.

Michelle Obama graces the March cover of Vogue magazine in all her beauty.  Although, she’ll be the second First Lady to do so (and that’s major), it’s even bigger that she shatters the mainstream image of beauty.  She’s far from a light skinned long hair chick who wears a size two.  If you haven’t noticed, she’s brown, curvy and confident.

Her image packs an in-your-face punch that says women who look and are built like Angelina Jolie aren’t the standard of beauty any more–and it’s about time.  Finally, a predominantly White fashion magazine has recognized this.   Small gestures like this help heal larger wounds that women of color have carried around for years.

There’s no secret that the issues of the brown paper bag test or the Black Doll/White Doll Test have plagued Black America. But what’s more impactful is seeing the way Michelle is being embraced, admired and respected all while showing off what her momma gave her.

What impact do you think Michelle’s image will have on Black America?  Tell us here.

Images courtesy of msn.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

Sometimes actions speak louder than words and President Obama is fully aware of this.  When a homeless woman made an emotional appeal to him during a recent event in Florida, the President walked over to the woman, hugged and kissed her cheeked.  The crowd cheered and roared as if Obama were a rockstar.  The woman lit up and even if it were just for that moment, she seemed happy enough to keep hope alive.  Its little things like this that place Obama in a different class, he’s human and he cares.

With the way things are going, sometimes its the little things that keep people going. 

What do you think of the Presidents gesture?  Tell us here.

Video courtesy of cnn.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

It was only, what, four days ago when President Obama publicly back-slapped the Republicans about his proposed stimulus package during a broadcasted speech in Virginia. In no uncertain terms, Obama questioned if his Republican critics even knew what a stimulus package was for.

Well, the President put on his boxing gloves again in last night’s primetime press conference. In discussing the increasing partisan nature of the debate over the bill, Obama said that while he is in the business of compromise, he is also in the business of card-pulling when necessary.

Exhibit A: “It’s a little hard for me to take criticism from folks about this recovery package after they presided over a doubling of the national debt.” Yee-Ouch! We wonder who he was talking about there. Here’s a hint: their party ain’t the donkey.

This last week, we’ve seen a new Obama emerging, one that talks a little harder and isn’t afraid to not only mix-it up with his critics but is ready to straight call them out on national TV. We don’t know if its the fact that he’s the President now or he’s eating his Wheaties, but Obama’s swagger points have gone through the roof this last week.

TELL US: Do you like the new, tougher President Obama?

Image courtesy of Time Inc.