Comments on: Why Barack Obama Is A “Magic Negro”

By: Stones Cry Out - If they keep silent… » Things Heard: e47v3

Stones Cry Out - If they keep silent… » Things Heard: e47v3 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:33:28 +0000

[...] Mr Obama as Magic Negro from the left. [...]

By: archangel

archangel — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:25:03 +0000

dear Tyrone. Great post. And appreciate your truthfulness… somewhere on TMV I wrote about the 4 stages I went through as a bi-racial person… one was definitely separatism. I can see now how hyper-vigilant and defensive that was, even though it seemed rightous. And perhaps was. But also a way narrow way to live forever. I call it the MX awakening to move to regarding others from other groups (Malcolm X at Mecca…who ever would have thought that his caring for others would isolate him from his own. Well, that's a fact too sometimes and a story for another time) I am glad T, that you experience sea changes in the community. That's worth reporting back on time and again. I hope you will.

and Doriancito, I join you in remarking about The Star Spanglish Banner. I would much rather people ridicule themselves if scorn is what rings their bells. Growing up in an immigrant family, I love the USA, and too often, many in the USA didnt like us… just for existing. THe beat goes on. How 'bout them Broncos? lol.

dr.e

By: davigoli

davigoli — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:33:14 +0000

Obama doesn't consider it offensive. I personally wouldn't consider it offensive, save for who it's coming from. I just can't hold anything Limbaugh does in good faith. If he skewered those on the right with comparable vigor to his skewering of those on the left, in proportion to how much they deserve it, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But he's motivated by personal destruction, and trying to fan the latent flames of racism. He's walking a tightrope, not saying anything that is TOO overtly racist while stirring the racism in his listeners with red meat like this.

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:30:08 +0000

Tyronne:

As one of those who has been "re-hashing" the Barack The Magic Negro parody, I was surprised--and pleasantly so--at you reaction to and take on this issue (or perhaps non-issue).

And perhaps you are correct. Why should I, a non-African-American, make such a big issue of this so-called satire, if you and--I must say with some pride--our African-American president-elect don't take offense to it, but rather look positively and hopefully to what African Americans have achieved. Especially as you do looking at Obama who as a “Magic Negro.... is already etched in Black American Lore. Not as a messiah (yuck, yuck, yuck!). But as a man that ushered in a whole new thought direction for the black community. And that direction only makes America stronger. Damn near magical I say!"

I salute you for your stance and attitude. It prompts me to--perhaps in the New Year--re-examine my own attitude towards such commentary from those who I suspected of being somewhat biased. For, I must be frank, as a Latino, I have been offended many times by the rhetoric of the likes of Limbaugh (The Star Spanglished Banner is just one such example.)

Perhaps I am too sensitive, too thin-skinned. Perhaps Limbaugh and the likes of him do mean well after all, and I should give them a second chance.

Regardless, I admire your outlook for African-Americans, our country, and again salute you.