http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQiC_bdiXw0
First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a nationwide campaign called “Let’s Move” to help reduce child obesity. She stated that one in three children in the United States is OBESE and that the nation is in danger because of this. Many Americans are aware of the decreasing life span of children compared to their parents. This will eventually affect their ability to work and pay taxes. It will also create numerous other difficulties in their lives. Therefore, along with her main goals seen in this video, Mrs. Obama has been working hard with major retailers such as the Wal-Mart Stores to start making food products healthier and more affordable. Her main focus has been on the poorer and working American families who simply do not have the time or the money to prepare healthy meals for their children. She has also recently helped make nutritional labels on packaged foods more clear while working to wean children off of the fattening foods such as nachos, pizza, and tater tots that they are consuming during school lunches.
Like any great leader, Michelle Obama has faced many critics who claim using her daughters as an example is "insensitive". Critics have also attacked her campaign by claiming that for many schools it is not financially feasible for them to purchase expensive, organic foods with their tight budgets.
I feel that Michelle Obama has been successful in this struggle against child obesity not only because of her position power, but also, because of her personal power. Mrs. Obama's followers identify a liking towards her as a well-educated mother raising two children of her own. Therefore, she has established referent power. Additionally, as the First Lady, Mrs. Obama possesses legitimate power because of her formal job authority in the White House. Throughout this campaign she has created a sense of urgency for the American people. Mrs. Obama has been working with star athletes and other experts to build a guiding coalition for her campaign. She hopes this will empathize to their younger fans the importance of physical activity by seeing their biggest heroes helping to promote the campaign.
Posted By: Christine Burklin
I have mixed feelings on Michelle Obama using her daughter as an example of child obesity. It could damage her child's self esteem, which is something a mother should never do to her child, especially since she publicized it for the world to hear. However, this statement could create a positive reaction. Parents who also have obese children may feel they can relate to her statement and seriously consider helping in the campaign of "Let's Move." Since Michelle Obama is not considering her child's feelings, people may not view her as a trustful or effective leader.
ReplyDeletePosted by: Genise Logston
I agree with you Genise. When viewing pictures of the Obama daughters it is hard to see how these girls could even begin to look "unhealthy" or "obese" by any means. However, against what critics say, I believe Michelle Obama simply tried to say that even she was a normal working mother who was unaware of her children's eating habits. She was trying to relate to other Americans to show them how their families were being affected by their daily lifestyles. I still believe her campaign has been successful and that she is a credible leader, despite her reference to her own family.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I think what Michelle Obama is doing as a leader is a great thing. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we are a nation with an excessive amount of obesive people compared to other nations mostly due to fast food restaurants. She is using her legitimate power to have the business connections to launch such a campaign and also using her referent power to show that she has something in common with the rest of us, which is likely why she used her daughters as an example. She is making people become more aware of the problem at hand and doing something about it which is very commendable.
ReplyDeleteposted by: Amanda Goetz