Do all African American’s look alike?

I know that sounds like a asinine question, but for the past 4 months I’ve had a picture of 1st Lady Michelle Obama with Oprah Winfrey at the Time Magazine 100 Most influential People dinner as my desktop photo (see photo below). Almost all of my non-African American coworkers have asked “who is that with you in the photo?” Most of the time I give them the side eye, but lately it’s become more and more annoying. Michelle Obama is the first lady, her face is almost everywhere and Oprah Winfrey is probably the most know African American woman in America. Yes, we’re women of the same race, but other than that I see no resemblance. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m honored, as I look up to and respect both of these women, I just don’t see how we even remotely favor. I think I would understand more if it was a picture of Judith Jamison and Debbie Allen or Lela Rochon and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Nothing against any of the women I just listed, I admire and respect them all, and I don’t think I resemble any of them either…I’m just saying they’re not as well known outside the African American community when compared to Oprah and Michelle Obama, so I could understand them not knowing who they were. But it’s the First Lady and the Queen of Media….that makes absolutely no sense to me. In college I used to always hear “You know they think we all look alike anyways” referring to how other races view African Americans, but I never paid much attention to it.

So I’ve decided to pay attention and starting Monday (January 25, 2010) I’m going to spotlight a new African American woman every week on my desktop, and instead of getting annoyed when they don’t know who she is, I’m going to simply take them to school! They’re 52 weeks in a year I wonder how long it takes before they get the point? Just call me Professor Townsend because class is officially in session…First up is Ms. Star Jones, she inspires me everyday with her tweets. It’s going to take some of her boldness to get this accomplished but I’m up for the challenge. Let’s get it!