Ambivalence of Power in Michelle Obama's Becoming

Abstract

This research paper entitled "Ambivalence of Power in Michelle Obama's Becoming" explores the cultural hegemony of the white supremacy over the black community in America on the ground of ambivalence of power. The concern of the black domination and discrimination and the way of treating black community by the supremacy of white society make the need for this research. Taking theoretical insights on cultural hegemony, cultural ambivalence, cultural identity and discursiveness of power as proposed by Antonio Gramsci, Homi K Bhabha, Stuart Hall and Michael Foucault respectively, this research reveals that any individual who rises from marginal ground to higher position feels hegemonic domination. Acquiring supreme power hardly means the ultimate solution of any form of hegemony and free from the ambivalence of power. This study discloses that Michelle Obama herself feels as the victim of cultural hegemony though she has been the First Lady of America. It is realized that the hegemonic sentiment occurs in Obama not because of any other forces except ambivalence she feels while executing power. This can be well addressed by foregrounding the multiple voices on the basis of ambivalence of power that focuses on the theory of cultural hegemony.