Leezza… A Powerful Black Woman’s Undeniable Appeal - Orijin Culture

While many found humour in the discovery that Colonel Gaddafi greatly admires former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, his admiration speaks volumes to the appeal of women, especially Black women, in power. When Gaddafi declared in an interview in 2007 that “I support my darling black African woman…. I admire and am very proud of the way she leans back and gives orders to the Arab leaders…Leezza, Leezza, Leezza. I love her very much. I admire her and I’m proud of her because she’s a black woman of African orijin,” he was expressing not only a personal admiration, but he was also expressing a sentiment felt by many.

It has longed been argued that due to their race and sex, Black women in America face “double oppression” since racism and sexism continues to permeate all aspects of American life and culture. As a result, they have to work harder than most to overcome daily obstacles. Thus, the fact that a Black woman/’woman of African orijin’ is able to ascend the ranks in the male dominated political arena should not be taken lightly.

Regardless of your political affiliation, one cannot deny the fact that there is much to be admired about Condoleezza Rice. She is intelligent, articulate, cultured, charming and has been able to attain what most women in America never would – the position of Secretary of State. One must also admire that fact that despite the inevitable obstacles that came her way because of her sex and race, she was still able to overcome them and rise above the rest. The same can be said about other powerful Black women in America including Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama and Ursula Burns.

Unlike other powerful women in entertainment, such as Beyonce, Halle Berry ect, women like Condoleezza Rice, Michelle Obama, Oprah and Ursula Burns are often very conservative in their demeanour and attire and as a result their physical appearances are not necessarily the factor that defines who they are. Instead, their intelligence, level of authority and natural leadership abilities take precedence. The success of these women not only provide as proof that the ‘American dream’ is attainable by all who work hard and strive for it but they also provide as positive role models for all young women who thought it was impossible to succeed in the male dominated worlds of politics and business.

Men of Gaddafi’s power and stature often have thousands of conventional beautiful women at their disposal; however, women in possession of the power and prestige held by women like Condoleezza Rice and Michele Obama are very far and in-between. As human beings, especially those of us who have almost everything our disposal, it’s only natural for us to desire things that almost seem unattainable. The case of Gaddafi is no different.