The “Magic Negro” Party
Back during the Republican presidential primaries, there was a lot of sentiment that sure Rudy Giuliani was a baby-killer and didn’t hate gays, and sure he lacked relevant qualifications for the presidency, and sure he seemed to be involved in a bit of corruption and cronyism, but, hey, he pissed off a lot of liberals so he must be doing something right. I think that’s the spirit in which you have to understand the boost being given to RNC Chair candidate Chip Saltsman by the fact that he’s a bit racist:
The controversy surrounding a comedy CD distributed by Republican National Committee chair candidate Chip Saltsman has not torpedoed his bid and might have inadvertently helped it.
Four days after news broke that the former Tennessee GOP chairman had sent a CD that included a song titled “Barack the Magic Negro” to the RNC members he is courting, some of those officials are rallying around the embattled Saltsman, with a few questioning whether the national media and his opponents are piling on.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of modern American conservatism is that it believes in a curious concept of “color blindness.” In this view, racism is bad. But absent truly egregious behavior, it’s not something you’d really get all that upset about nor is it something you should be really attuned do. But so-called “political correctness” — meaning something like anti-racism that’s gone too far — is a really serious problem. Any hint of political correctness is worth getting upset about. And the views of actual members of racial minorities as to what is and isn’t racist should be completely discounted. Rather than saying that the prudent and decent white person will steer a mile clear of racist activity — sending out “Barack the Magic Negro” CDs, for example — the best course of action is to deliberately drive straight at the line and then get really upset at anyone who says you’ve crossed it.
169 Responses to “The “Magic Negro” Party”
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December 30th, 2008 at 10:20 am
And the views of actual members of racial minorities as to what is and isn’t racist should be completely discounted.
Exactly. Hence the continued existence of the “Washington Redskins” and Chief Wahoo. Somehow the repeated claims, “No, we mean it the good way!” count more than “There is no good way to mean that, we think it’s really offensive.”
December 30th, 2008 at 10:22 am
The problem isn’t that the RNC is pissing off liberals, the problem is that they’re pissing off minorities with such Limbaugh-esque “humor”. Including such pointed takeoffs as “The Star-Spanglish Banner”. Doh.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:24 am
But so-called “political correctness” — meaning something like anti-racism that’s gone too far — is a really serious problem. Any hint of political correctness is worth getting upset about.
If “political correctness” is anti-racism that goes too far, wouldn’t a “hint of political correctness” amount to “anti-racism that goes too far” minus the “goes too far” part?
So they’re getting upset about…anti-racism?
Let’s all welcome Macaca to the real world of Virginia.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:27 am
While I agree about the optics of this issue and the political stupidity of the Republicans, I really think this is a kind of an un-gaffe gaffe. People who think “Barack the Magic Negro” is prima facie racist seem to be unfamiliar with the Magic Negro concept, which was popularized by Spike Lee. The song itself seems to me a pretty legitimate satire of certain apects of Obama’s public persona (not all derived from Obama himself): the messianic thing, the “clean and articulate” thing, the “absolution for slavery” thing.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:28 am
And conventional GOP “wisdom” is that America’s blacks voted overwhelmingly for Obama simply because he was black. It obviously has nothing to do with the fact that the GOP has coddled and courted these types of crackers for years.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I gather this is unrelated to the phrase “magic negro” used to describe the recurring character in bad movies — the black person who comes into a white person’s/family’s lives and teaches them, er, good stuff and helps them fix their problems. Often played by Morgan Freeman.
In any case, it doesn’t strike me as racism. The fallacious notion of a magical “other” who will help us make everything better is well-established in this country & I don’t see any harm in talking about it, satirizing it, etc.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Maybe “magical negro.” Anyway, same point.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:33 am
This is ridiculous. I’m as anti-PC as anybody (for example, I think the Harold Ford ad controversy was wildly overblown), but when you are distributing recordings describing Obama as any kind of “Negro”, a term left in the racist dustbin over 30 years ago, you are racist.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:33 am
As long as they continue to allow Rush Limbaugh to be the spokestoad for their party, they will continue to lose market share. The real issue isn’t that it pisses of liberals, which it does, but that it pisses off independents. Especially the younger generation. They can try and justify their racist comments all they want claiming that the rest of us are being ‘politically correct’. But to many people, Barack the Magic Negro is just racist.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Agreeing with David W: the problem here is not so much the inherent racism of the thing as that Republicans really need to be bending over backwards to suck up to black people. If not to win their votes in large numbers, as a a href=”http://www.slate.com/id/2188582/”>bank shot at moderate whites.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:34 am
bank shot
December 30th, 2008 at 10:36 am
When you hear things like this from the GOP, I think a worthy response is just to look at them and say “Macaca!” real loud, and then laugh at them.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Which makes sense, except that the first thing they do to satirize it is to refer to his race.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Chris Conway and ossicle make decent points, but given Limbaugh’s past history of racism (telling african-american callers to “take the bone out of their nose” and so forth) I can see why people would consider his use of the “magical negro” phrase to be in bad faith, just a racist using it as cover.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I don’t think you understand. This isn’t about racism.
This is solely about pissing off liberals. The foundation of the modern Republican party(since at least Gingrich) has been to piss off liberals. So this pisses off liberals = therefore it is good.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Shorter “But a Liberal, Gay, African American LA Times Columnist Did It First!” argument:
“Chris Rock calls people “nigger” all the time! Why can’t I, a privileged, wealthy, white man from an historically racist area call him a nigger too? It’s just a joke, right? Why does everyone think I’m a racist?”
December 30th, 2008 at 10:54 am
While I can think of certain contexts where the use of this song would be funny or ironic, I am sure that the Republicans in question meant it as racist humor. This is a political party that has depended on racism, and racists, for its energy and success for forty years. The idea that they are now being all satirical and cute or whatever doesn’t make sense. It’s a racist party.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:56 am
That song sung by say Dave Chappelle has a bit different meaning, don’t you think?
December 30th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Your being just a little too kind. Living as I do in White Guy world I can tell you that the actual objection to so-called ‘political correctness’ is driven by the assumption that ‘we all know’ the racist statement is actually true and in an honest world they would be able to just say it. In the view of most of the GOP Chip’s only crime is spreading the truth.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Let’s give this guy a break. I am a minority myself and all that PC stuff really does not make my life experience more equitable or friendly in any way. Clearly this guy meant this in jest, and the bigger a deal we make out of this, the more of a taboo topic (minority) race becomes. And having race as a taboo topic is not in any way healthy.
Plus, the GOP already lost the election(s). Kicking them in the balls while they are down trying to have a bit of CHristmastime mirth is, well, rather déclassé.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:57 am
On the concept of “inherent racism:”
I used to work in a warehouse. During breaks, we’d sit around and play pitch. If someone stuttered during their bid – “Thr-no-two. Two,” the inevitable response was “Are you a renegger?” “I ain’t no renegger!” Har har har, laughs all around.
Now, there’s nothing “inherently racist” about the word “reneg,” but these characters were obviously making a racist joke, giggling about the fact that they actually got the chance to say almost-but-not-quite say the word “nigger” and get away with it.
I don’t care that they were able to find a jumping off point that gives them plausible deniability. Nobody misunderstands what they’re doing here.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:58 am
More than pissing off liberals, isn’t it just Saltsman’s way of saying he’s more of a dittohead than the other candidates, and therefore any bump this has given him is because the GOP just wants to be Rush Limbaugh’s party? I really get the feeling that in the daze that has hit them since election day they’ve turned to Rush to lead them and show them the way.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I’d just like Chris Conway and ossicle to know I’ve always considered “equivocating asshole” to be a non-perjorative term with many subtle and nuanced cultural references.
So of course they’ll understand when I say their remarks seem to be the work of Grade-A equivocating assholes. Legitimate satire and all that.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:10 am
This is sad,I suppose it would be ok to make a song for outgoing President Bush entitled “BUSH THE STUPID WHITE GUY LIVED IN DC” and we can just call that satire and quote “OK”.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:10 am
James Gary: stay classy.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:11 am
What some seem to be missing here and elsewhere is that under the guise of pretending to be Al Sharpton, this racist musical takeoff is the equivalent of some white guy putting shoe polish on his face and claiming that Obama’s somehow not genuine. Yeah, right. Some in the Republican Party can fool themselves and try to fool others, but minorities aren’t being fooled. It’s not only racist then, it’s also idiotic politics.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Actually, it’s called “race baiting”
December 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am
In a society where race does not matter the ‘magic negro’ would indeed be a joke.
The problem is that the conservatives think that as soon as the slaves were freed we magically and overnight transformed into a nation where the color of the skin became irrelevant.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Besides being racist in it’s very existance, the “Magic Negro” piece appeals to the lowest of common denominators. Mostly just common. But hey, these people are eqaully anti-feminist and anti-science. They also seem to believe Adam and Eve rode around on dinosaurs. Keep on spouting your hate Rush, you’re helping us all the more.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:25 am
“Chris Rock calls people “nigger” all the time! Why can’t I, a privileged, wealthy, white man from an historically racist area call him a nigger too? It’s just a joke, right? Why does everyone think I’m a racist?”
Chris Rock is wrong to say it and so is every other black person that thinks it’s o.k. to have double standards. The word was created to describe low class/ignorant people and we have plenty of those in both parties! The bottom line is the word it hateful and should not be used by anyone.
That being said. Good or bad taste, it was satire. There have been examples of good and bad satire on both sides of the fence.
This race that was supposed to bring our country together has caused more racism than I have ever seen. The fact is that most black people DID vote for Obama simply because he was black. It’s a fact. We can all discuss this for years to come, however the reality is the same.
I personally am so sick of PC I want to puke. We live in a country built on free speech and I feel as if the entire PC agenda is just a veil to limit free speech. I have never used the “N” word and will continue as my choice, not because anyone told me that it wasn’t acceptable/appropriate/PC. Because it’s my right NOT to use the word. It’s called personal responsibility and we have woefully forgotten about this simple moral.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Look, the whole “magic negro” thing might indeed be satire. But this story begins with Rush Limbaugh. Anyone who is shocked that it’s viewed as racist just isn’t paying attention.
The real problem for the GOP is that this is the sort of nonsense they’ve been playing for a couple of years. Matt’s described it perfectly. What’s astonishing is that they still believe this is a recipe for success.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:28 am
The text of “Barack the Magic Negro”, read without any assumption of bad faith and understood in the context of the PC critique of the Hollywood “Magic Negro”, is not in the least bit offensive. As others have said, if Dave Chappelle or Chris Rock performed it, liberals would probably think it was funny. So would Rush Limbaugh!
The problem is that Rush Limbaugh is the white guy who is laughing too hard, a problematic audience for this kind of material. Moreover, there is no Dave Chappelle in the room: the song was produced by a white guy for the enjoyment of white guys, which makes it rather easy to discard assumptions of good faith.
And the real problem is that national Republican officials should know better than to be associated with this kind of stuff. They wouldn’t circulate DVDs of Chris Rock’s last HBO special, and they shouldn’t be circulating “Barack the Magic Negro” either. Because it’s not sensible.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:31 am
The text of “Barack the Magic Negro”, read without any assumption of bad faith and understood in the context of the PC critique of the Hollywood “Magic Negro”, is not in the least bit offensive.
Of course it’s not offensive. So maybe all the GOP Senators could get together and sing it in public at Obama’s inauguration. Legitimate satire, right?
December 30th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I am a registered Republican of many years whose ancestors fought in the American Revolution and Civil War, and knew what it meant to be truly American. Because of this recent venomous caper, I plan to immediately change my party affiliation. It sums up all that is decidedly unAmerican, even antiAmerican, and why the GOP has been, rightfully, brought to its knees.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:36 am
the song was produced by a white guy for the enjoyment of white guys, which makes it rather easy to discard assumptions of good faith.
Right. And say, if a black producer make a song called “Bush the Stupid White Man” for a black audience, it would also be offensive, by your (faulty) logic? Of course not. It is just “satire” then.
Never mind the fact that “stupid white man” is a lot more offensive than “magic Negro” on its own.
Think your logic through, Chris
December 30th, 2008 at 11:36 am
The song was meant to be derogatory. Maybe they think its funny, its not. Republicans should stay far away from such type of racism or they won’t have a single black voter in the next election, and they will turn off still more anglo and latino voters. All they’ll have left will be biggots.
Rush Limbaugh proudly posted the song on his website again. He is hurting the Republican Party in ways no one else in recent history has. He was already fired from ESPN for making other derogatory comments, but he believes he can do no wrong. I’m never tuning his show ever again.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:36 am
what’s next for the grand old party, fart jokes?
yes, it would seem that low brow humor would indeed be the manner in which to reach out to the common man, it’s cheaper & easier than trying to create jobs that pay enough for a legal resident to live on.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:37 am
The problem is that the conservatives think that as soon as the slaves were freed we magically and overnight transformed into a nation where the color of the skin became irrelevant.
Magically? Overnight? It’s been 150 years! At what point do we move on? At what point do we stop being victims?
Why has the term racism developed into something that has only impacted the black race?
Why are the Jews not a race filled with hate of every German?
Why don’t Japenese/Americans spit in our face for what WE did to them? Both black and white assisted in their encampments.
The list of people that have been harmed by another race or sex goes on and on……….
As long as this country keeps looking back, we will never move forward. As long as the black race uses slavery as a crutch and an excuse, they will continue to be victims.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Of course it’s not offensive. So maybe all the GOP Senators could get together and sing it in public at Obama’s inauguration. Legitimate satire, right?
Yes, and all the Democratic Senators will perform Chris Rock’s N-word sketch. Because politics and comedy are the same thing!
December 30th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I think a lot of this shit is based on a fundamental misunderstanding. Lot’s of so called PC people expect that people that are racist think that they are racist and don’t mind being racist. Racism is wrongly treated as a digital scale where being even a little racist is viewed as incredibly bad, so people that are in the great scheme of things not all that racist but still definitely racist like Geraldine Ferraro and Bill O’Reilly think that they are being falsely accused of racism. They think that other more racist people are actually racist and they aren’t. They know that racism is really bad so they are mad about being called racist. I think being racist should be like being dishonest or mean, a negative trait that people should aspire to eliminate in themselves but also one that realistically won’t be completely purged. This CD was probably a little bit racist.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Never mind the fact that “stupid white man” is a lot more offensive than “magic Negro” on its own.
Um…WHAT?
December 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Because politics and comedy are the same thing!
Good thing Rush Limbaugh and Chip Saltsman aren’t involved in politics, then.
Um, WHAT?
December 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Um . . . actually, some of us are still a little pissed over that.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:48 am
come on guys, have any of you seen “tropic express”. racist? give me a break.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Sherry, some people still think Al Jolson’s putting on black-face and singing minstrel songs wasn’t racist either. That doesn’t mean it isn’t or that it’s really a debatable point. What Limbaugh’s deliberately enabling is a racist attack on Obama under the claim of it merely being satire. Blacks aren’t fooled by such glib claims, nor do they take kindly to being condescended to.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:48 am
This is childish behavior. Literally.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:48 am
It’s been a little less than 150 years since the voting rights act, and it’s been far less than that since the Jena 6 or the last ‘dragged behind a pickup truck until bits broke off’ event.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I think we should all stop being so hard on the GOP for making silly jokes which some people want to believe are racist.
As a Democrat, I heartily encourage Republicans and right wing pundits to continue their traditions of delicious, ribald humor poking fun at the PC crowd’s concerns about racial insensitivity.
I think they should keep up such excellent “Macaca!” humor until they have at most 5-6 elected officials in Mississippi left for the whole country.
Please, fellow Democrats, please stop correcting them on their innocent, good-natured humor.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:51 am
come on guys, have any of you seen “tropic express”. racist? give me a break.
I guess I missed the part where Robert Downey, Jr. race baits Obama. Must have been while I was out getting more popcorn.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:53 am
“The fact is that most black people DID vote for Obama simply because he was black. It’s a fact.”
If it were a fact, you should have no trouble proving it to an extent that it would survive any good faith argument. Go ahead and so, please.
As for the song, I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt and say it WAS satire based on Spike Lee’s “Magic Negro” concept- but context matters, doesn’t it? Therefore, the “by whites, for whites” (the anti FUBU!) context does leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Moreover, even if I don’t consider it racist, well, racism is kind of a moving target- there’s no clear cut formula for what IS or IS NOT racist- though generally, if a majority of people say it IS, that’s bad enough.
Lord only knows what the majority of people think (hopefully, they haven’t even heard about it), but even inviting the question- as the RNC undeniably has at this point- is bad news bears for a political party.
Think about it this way- Bloodhound Gang songs are pretty undeniably harmless goofiness with no bigoted undertones. But any politician would still be insane to distribute their CDs as part of a campaign.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:55 am
this may have been important is the Repubican Party was going to remain relevant in politics for much longer. Given the changing demographics of the U.S., the Republican party was going to cease to be relevant no matter what. The Bush Adminsitration and the Congressional Republicans have just sped up the process by about 20 years.
A more interesting question is what will happen to the black voting block in the coming one party state. Being 25% in a two party 50/50 political landscape gave black politicans a lot of power. In the future, what will being 12% of the one relevatn political party due to the political fortunes of African-Americans? In the coming one party state, the blue dog Democrats will not be so beholden to other parts of the Democratic Party.
Also, what will the effect be when all of the former Republicans start voting in the Democratic primary.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Figures….the media and other Obama supporters are aghast…how can you do this…you must be a racist. I guess when Sharpton, Jackson and other black, so-called leaders, trash President Bush, Sarah Palin and other conservatives they are just using free speech. Sharpton and Jackson are the 2 biggest racists around..only the hate white people so they can’t be racists right. Horseshit. I guess this country can only take a “joke” when it is said about white people.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Okay, here it is. You’re in bed with you wife or special person. You’re flirting, you’re fooling around, you whisper nasty words like slut or bitch or ho in her ear, and then you make hot hugglebunny sex and cuddle up after.
That’s one thing.
The next day in the grocery store, this guy who lives around the street runs into your wife. He calls her a slut, a bitch and a ho. Wife runs back in tears to tell you about it. You go see the neighbor, do you clean his clock or shake his hand.
“Barack the Magic Negro”? It’s not really that hard to figure out, Morons. And if you’re having trouble with the concept, it’s probably because you’re a racist and haven’t noticed.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Because politics and comedy are the same thing!
Right. Exactly. Which is why someone running for RNC chair should be being called out for this, which he is! I agree with Newt Gingrich. This should categorically disqualify the Chip Saltsman from consideration. The Republican party, if it wants to survive, whould run far and hard away from this stuff, but it doesn’t seem to realize it. Enjoy the time in the wilderness guys, with behavior like this from your leaders, it will be a long, cold time.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:59 am
If the conservatives are “color blind” than why do they have to create films that satirize color. But more than anything, the fact is that this is another episode that highlights the GOP’s out of touchness and lack of tact.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:59 am
“Why has the term racism developed into something that has only impacted the black race?”
It hasn’t. People have been called racist for stances on immigration from Latin America, stances on profiling immigrants from Muslim countries, hell, my uncle has (justifiably) been called racist for making fun of the Polish.
“Why are the Jews not a race filled with hate of every German?
Why don’t Japenese/Americans spit in our face for what WE did to them? Both black and white assisted in their encampments.”
Both of those things DO happen. Just ’cause you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
There is an old saying that what is in you always comes out eventually. This kind of GOP humor should not surprise anyone. It has been going on for a very long time. To suggest that this song was somehow meant as satire is to question the intelligence of all Americans. Not just so called minorities. I am glad that the arrogance of some allow them to express their views so freely. That way you know what kind of persons or groups you are associating yourself with.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
You miss the point.
David Ehrenstein’s original op-ed using the phrase was not racist–it made exactly the point you suggest, that a “magical negro” is: “a magical “other” who will help us make everything better”. Too many whites see Obama as the “magical negro” whose election will relieve us all from responsbility for continuing racism in our society.
On the other hand, the song makes fun of the position taken by Ehrenstein. It has the Sharpton character expressing regret at Obama’s success, because that supposedly means that there is no racism in the country, and Sharpton is therefore out of a job. In other words, the song is an endorsement of the idea of Obama as the “magical negro” whose election means that there is no racism in the country. Because we have elected Obama, it’s okay and nonracist to hate and abuse blacks!
December 30th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
“I guess when Sharpton, Jackson and other black, so-called leaders, trash President Bush, Sarah Palin and other conservatives they are just using free speech.”
Well, so is Saltsman (or whoever wrote the song). Except only one of them based their trashing on someone’s race, and it wasn’t the Sharpton/Jackson cabal…
December 30th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Let’s face it, what this is really about is liberals’ favorite dishonest political tactic.
Thank you Al, you hit it right on the head.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
“I can just see Matthew as the Liberal in that imagined conversation.”
“Imagined” is the key word there.
I know you’re just overstating things to make a point, but reality really gets no where near that. In this case, a difference in degree IS a difference in type.
And here’s the problem- a lot of the Republican establishment (call it the “Limbaugh” wing for now) doesn’t understand that you’re engaging in hyperbole. And that leads to things like distributing this song which, innocent though it’s construction may well be, is politically ridiculous. If that behavior continues, the Republicans will continue to spend some time in the Penalty Box- and, perhaps more importantly for you, the germ of a legitimate concern you have will go unresolved.
Hysterical overreaction cuts both ways, either when someone goes too PC or too “Anti-PC”- and in both cases, it ends up shooting the reactor in the foot.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
No Sherry, it is not a fact. It is an opinion that you have and one that does not hold up well to even a minimal amount of scrutiny.
That is not at all a very accurate description of how the “word was created” but more to the point, words evolve. They are given meaning by the cultural contexts in which they are used. I have never really understood the strange determination of those against the use of the word nigger to pretend otherwise. This determination is especially rich coming from someone who actively promotes the wholly absurd mythology of a dangerous “PCism” that is trying to silence us all.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
It has the Sharpton character expressing regret at Obama’s success, because that supposedly means that there is no racism in the country, and Sharpton is therefore out of a job.
Let me quote from the great Booker T. Washington:
“There is a class of colored people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs.”
Heck, Sharpton should be out of a job.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Did Dave Chapelle do a skit about the “Magic Negro”?
“Negro” just seems like such an archaic term but black academics use it a lot.
Republicans just like having a scapegoat like blacks or Mexicans to kick around while the hard-working successful Americans are busy running their Ponzi schemes.
What was magical about Obama was that he was positive that many Americans have gotten past race in evaluating Presidential candidates. I was inclined to believe it but not as sure as he evidently was. Even though I agree on most things with John Judis and Paul Krugman, those two for example and many Hillary primary partisans felt the US was still too racist for Obama to win or at least argued that. (But Iowa brought the magic. And Obama gave a good leaderlike speech on race.)
Some commenter earlier suggested maybe it had to do with their age and mileu which is probably true.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
hell, my uncle has (justifiably) been called racist for making fun of the Polish
This is exactly what I’m talking about! I have Polish in my family and we crack up at Polish jokes. It’s just not taken seriously…………
Pollacks should be outraged at their treatment ;o)
December 30th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
The excesses of political correctness — mostly in the previous century — are used by far-rightists to excuse gross expressions of racism, homophobia, misanthropy and other bigotry.
All “satirical,” of course. Yeah. Right.
I’m geographically situated, and old enough, to remember KKK and other white-supremicist songs, cartoons, etc., from the 1950s and ’60s. “Barack the Magic Negro” is cut from the same bedsheet. The members of the Republican National Committee know this, whether or not they admit it.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Actually, my favorite dishonest political tactic is to keep a completely straight face when a Republican says something racist, and tell him that it’s a really good point that he should try to popularize.
Speaking of which, man, that Sarah Palin sure is a powerhouse, huh? I sure hope they don’t nominate her!
December 30th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Magically? Overnight? It’s been 150 years! At what point do we move on? At what point do we stop being victims?
Well! how long did it take for the blacks in the south to get real voting rights after the slaves were freed?
As I recall, our last Chief Justice got his job by floating around the voting booths trying to restrict the non-whites from voting.
At what point do we move on?
Not till the racists still find it to be funny to call the newly elected President a magic negro.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Isabel:
The Republicans will still have idiots like J.C. Watts, Ken Blackwell, Michael Steele, Lynn Swann and Alan Keyes.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I guess when Sharpton, Jackson and other black, so-called leaders, trash President Bush, Sarah Palin and other conservatives they are just using free speech. Sharpton and Jackson are the 2 biggest racists around..
show me in which instances sharpton and jackson made fun of bush, palin, and other conservatives based on race. palin has been lampooned by the media – not because she is white, but because she is perceived to be a nitwit.
only they hate white people so they can’t be racists right.
i don’t know if sharpton and jackson “hate” white people. i know that sharpton can be a pretty fiery, loudmouthed speaker. jesse jackson has shown himself to be hateful toward obama, so he’s a toss up…maybe he’s just bitter period.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
And by the way, in Britain (i.e. more liberal than the U.S.) the whole P.C. bushiness has been laughed out of the public sphere. I recall being rather uncomfortably jolted when I started reading British papers, because of their word choices were rather shattering for our nice North American P.C. guidelines.
They call it like how it is. They don’t get on the euphemism treadmill. Fat is fat, poor is poor, dumb is dumb. lazy bums are lazy bums, chavs are chavs.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
The fact is that most black people DID vote for Obama simply because he was black. It’s a fact.
The % of the black vote that went for the Democrat in 2008 was about four points higher than in 2004.
The % of the total vote that went for the Democrat in 2008 was about four points higher than in 2004.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
The text of “Barack the Magic Negro”, read without any assumption of bad faith and understood in the context of the PC critique of the Hollywood “Magic Negro”, is not in the least bit offensive.
Chris, you are either tone deaf, or just trolling. The song has nothing whatsoever to do with the Hollywood “Magic Negro”, it’s a “satirical” screed from the POV of Al Sharpton. I’d say the intent of the song is clearly racist, since conservatives love tarring any black politician with the Sharpton/Farrahkan taint. It’s also just a shitty parody – the lyrics don’t fit the meter and the writer clearly does not have half of Sharpton’s rhetorical talent.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
These people have a very basic problem: They are just plain rude. It’s as simple as that.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Usually, a Matt post is good for 15 to 20 comments, a little less lately perhaps due to the Palmieri Kerfuffle. But I do enjoy how when Matt posts anything about race, the Al’s and Sherry’s of the world flock over here in righteous indignation. What do you people do, sit around watching Fox News all day, waiting for some super-secret alarm: “Warning! Warning! Liberal-learning blog just posted about race. Commenters scramble!”
Surprised Steve Sailor hasn’t made an appearance yet.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
“This is exactly what I’m talking about! I have Polish in my family and we crack up at Polish jokes. It’s just not taken seriously…………”
Well, your generous use of elipses aside, this wasn’t your typical “dumb Polock” joke- it was a pretty vicious, snarling attack on the people as a whole, based solely on the Polish workers he hired to remodel his house. The phrases that sticks out in my mind include accusing the ethnicity of widespread illiteracy and dishonesty, copious slurs and swears, and using a fake Polish accent to explain the pleasures of beastiality.
So, without having heard what he said, you look pretty foolish trying to absolve him.
But more to the point, no, this ISN’T exactly what you were talking about. You indicated that “Racism” has in some way come to only mean offenses against black people. I’ve offered evidence that it has not AT ALL, and is, in fact, used to denote offenses against ethnicities that would be considered “white”. That’s NOT what you were talking about at all, it’s actually a direct refutation of what you’re talking about.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
colbycakes
Heard any good blonde jokes lately – c’mon!
Stop hating………..
December 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
The fact is that most black people DID vote for Obama simply because he was black. It’s a fact.
Try running Clarence Thomas and see how black people vote.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
You can see from the comments in this thread that a lot of people on the right (I’m looking at you, Al, Stephen Myles St. George, and Sherry, among others) really do believe that Obama is the “magic negro,” and that electing him means that we no longer have to worry about America’s racism toward blacks.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Try running Clarence Thomas and see how black people vote.
Or maybe we could do an experiment with Obama and Alan Keyes . . .
December 30th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
This race that was supposed to bring our country together has caused more racism than I have ever seen.
it seems as though you are placing blame for current racism on the 2008 election. please tell me you were just misusing hyperbole. i do agree that the election has opened a space for race relations to be discussed and examined. just observe the race talk that has gone on since obama threw his hat in the ring. the baiting and hatred has been coming from a particular constituency. the “magic negro” song is only one more piece of evidence that points to the bad apples who are not trying to put an “end to” the racial tension.
The fact is that most black people DID vote for Obama simply because he was black. It’s a fact. We can all discuss this for years to come, however the reality is the same.
it would be better to ask WHY people voted for obama. why focus solely on who blacks voted for? that’s a problem right there – the majority tends to limit others to their race. unless you have done a survey of blacks across this nation who voted, you do not know the reasons why they voted for obama and not mccain.
how dare you (and others, for that matter) wave your hand and proclaim to know thoughts of an entire group of people? how dare you even think that voting is a “simple” matter of SKIN COLOR? that infuriates me to no end. it is demeaning. it is presumptuous. and that, my friend, is why “people just don’t get over” 150 years of race-relation-bullshit in this country.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
There are a few other related conservative absurdties I’ve noted.
In the conservative worldview, liberals who preach tolerance are being “intolerant” (and hence hypocrites) if they don’t welcome with open arms anti-gay or anti-minority bigotry. It is the mark of intolernace among conservatives, you see, to be intolerant of intolerance.
In a related pathology: bonafide fascist Ann Coulter believes that liberals are bent on taking away her right to free speech when they passioantely object to her suggestion that the editorial board of the New York Times should be taken out back and shot as traitors for printing stories that irritate Dick Cheney, such as the illegal spying progam he authorized against Americans or the secret renditions and prisons the US runs around the world. So, let’s get this straight: In Ann Coulter’s parallel universe, the greatest threat to the First Amendment comes not from people like her who would punish reporters for doing their job but from those who would stigmatize those whose aim it is to muzzle the free press. Got it?
December 30th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
“Heard any good blonde jokes lately – c’mon!
Stop hating………..”
Unless the “Stop hating” thing is directed at my uncle (maybe that’s what all those extra periods are for), I’m going to have to confess to having no idea what you’re saying here.
I’ll just reiterate- my uncle made a vicious rant against the Polish people, indicting their intelligence, veracity, and sexual habits. If this is the kind of “joke” that your family laughs about, or the kind of thing you find analogous to a “good blonde joke”, then more power to you, but that’s more of a reflection on you guys than on anything about the statements themselves.
Moreover, it’s NOT what you were talking about, it’s a direct refutation of what you’re talking about, as it is evidence that “racism” is used to denote offenses against a group BESIDES black people.
BTW, at any point, if you want to prove this whole “Blacks only voted for Obama ’cause he’s black” thing, that might be fun, too.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Surprised Steve Sailor hasn’t made an appearance yet.
Be careful what you wish for though Sailor is the magical caucasian.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
You enjoy when Matthew race baits, and then gets called on it?
Uh, yeah, the song “Barack the Magic Negro” isn’t race-baiting. It’s people who complain about it that are race-baiting. Because a CANDIDATE FOR THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE RNC using a song making fun of a Democrat’s race in order to make himself more popular with Republicans has nothing whatsoever with appealing to race in an effort to polarize people.
Nothing. At all.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
“Try running Clarence Thomas and see how black people vote.
Or maybe we could do an experiment with Obama and Alan Keyes . . .”
Or maybe a test case where a black candidate ran against only white candidates in a nation-wide campaign very recently- not 2008, but maybe 4 years ago, say. Something like a primary campaign, where black voters would have more influence. Wonder if there’s anything like that we can look at.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
There are a few other related conservative absurdties I’ve noted.
I like the one where you have to agree with David Duke about affirmative action, and disagree with Martin Luther King about it, or you are THE REAL RACIST.
“How dare you accuse me of racism? HOW DARE YOU? Don’t you know that I am passionately devoted to the idea that there are too many black people being admitted to college?”
December 30th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I can’t imagine Limbaugh using a song with “Barack” and “Negro” during the campaign if he didn’t think it was racist. But then I doubt I would “get” his “sense of humor.”
As for blacks voting for Obama because of his race, it’s easy to forget that most blacks supported Hillary during the early primaries, and Barack had to prove himself as more than just a black candidate; in the general–well why would they vote for a Republican anyway?
December 30th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
did whites vote for mccain because he is white, or because:
1. they voted for the better person for the job.
2. they didn’t want a black man in the white house.
3. they didn’t want an incompetent man in the white house (lesser of two evils)
4. they wanted to show allegiance to the party.
hmmm…
now for those who believe that blacks voted for obama simply because he is black, would you also be willing to say that mccain’s white voters voted for him because he is white?…
if no, why not?
December 30th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
“reporters for doing their job”
Now THAT is the funniest thing I’ve heard in ages.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
If the RNC continues with this kind of rhetoric, it’s clear to any intelligent observer that they will fail again in 2012. Once a proud member of the RNC, but am still a minority. Am 67 years old, hated to see RNC change.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Wow! A whole lot of unintelligent ramblings going on here. I find it interesting that those most ignorant on this issue (you can tell they’er ignorant of the facts by what they write) are the ones mose incensed over the issue. Aside from the obvious ridiculousness of the issue, because after all, this was caused by an article in the liberal LA Times, this wasn’t a “compilation album” that Saltsman put together. It was an album of parody’s and just happened to have the one everyone is so up in arms over.
Get real people. Get a life!
December 30th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I like the one where you have to agree with David Duke about affirmative action, and disagree with Martin Luther King about it, or you are THE REAL RACIST.
Wow, now that’s a real stretch. I personally do not agree with David Duke on anything.
I do however agree with Martin Luther King and as such I am judging Obama on the content of his character which needs some work. He is arrogant, elitist and has no idea what the meaning of loyalty is. I would have been more impressed if he had stood up and said that he believed in Reverend Wright’s preaching instead of throwing his family member of 20 years under the bus. It matters when you stand up for something and defend your actions, Obama is about politicical expediency. He will use people to get what he needs and then throw them out when he’s done with them.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
the entire PC agenda is just a veil to limit free speech
Oh right, because conservatives are never hyper-sensitive about speech or political symbolism. Or was it someone else who advocated the term “homicide bombers,” complained about “happy holidays,” was worked into a furor over whether or not Obama wore a flag pin, tried to pass an amendment ot the Constitution banning flag-burning, etc.?
Face it, conservatives play the same game.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
the entire PC agenda is just a veil to limit free speech
Oh right, because conservatives are never hyper-sensitive about speech or political symbolism. Or was it someone else who advocated the term “homicide bombers,” complained about “happy holidays,” was worked into a furor over whether or not Obama wore a flag pin, tried to pass an amendment ot the Constitution banning flag-burning, etc.?
Face it, conservatives play the same game.
Why do you ‘assume’ that I’m a conservative? In fact, I’m not. I do however feel that wearing a flag pin is a show of respect.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
December 30th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Peter K., brilliant.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
You forgot the whole “lipstick on a pig” debate and how anyone who criticized Sarah Palin as vapid or questioned why she never held a press conference was just sexist. Oh and my personal favorite oldie but goodie — FREEDOM FRIES. Yep, liberals are touchy. Happy Holidays, you betcha,
December 30th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
One good reason is that Germany has bend over backwards to exculpate itself from its Nazi past.
How’s this for “political correctness”: The Nazi party and other fascist groups are utterly banned in Germany. Period. To promote Antisemitism in Germany is a felony, and they’re not kidding – they have handed down long jail terms for it. The Germans have gone to great lengths to prove that they have given up Antisemitism.
Now imagine if, on the other hand, Germany still had comedians making “Juden” jokes? If they still allowed Antisemetic groups (such as Stromfront in the USA) not only to exist but publicly promote their beliefs, even to march down the streets in Nazi regalia? I don’t think the Jews would be quite as forgiving of the Germans as they are today if that were the case.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
To all the idiots…”Barack the Magic Negro” is not making fun of Obama. It is making fun of Al Sharpton and white liberals who only voted for Obama because he is black and it helps them feel better. And Negro is not a racial slur. If it were than how can it be used in one of the nation’s leading newspapers, the L.A. Times. What is funny is that liberal tards are more pissed about the “Magic Negro” song than the title of the C.D. which is “We Hate the USA”, referring to liberals of course…
December 30th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
There’s a good deal of that happening in this comment thread. Woe for the poor white people, who can’t say ‘what they really think’ and are hamstrung by politeness and decency! I shed a tear.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I am sick and tired of all those Fox News/Ann Coulter/etc insinuations.
I have never watched Ann Coulter once, and the only non-local news I watch is BBC World.
However, I am proud to be a conservative (small c). P.C. is one of those issues that really do irritate me, because I think American society needs to collectively get a grip and see how it is done across the pond. If the Brits can live without that P.C. BS, why can’t Americans? (and I am not just talking about race here; you can factor race out, just talk about gender, minorities in general, whatever, and the Brits still look about 100x less touchy-feely on this.)
December 30th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
How’s this for “political correctness”: The Nazi party and other fascist groups are utterly banned in Germany. Period. To promote Antisemitism in Germany is a felony, and they’re not kidding – they have handed down long jail terms for it. The Germans have gone to great lengths to prove that they have given up Antisemitism.
Now imagine if, on the other hand, Germany still had comedians making “Juden” jokes? If they still allowed Antisemetic groups (such as Stromfront in the USA) not only to exist but publicly promote their beliefs, even to march down the streets in Nazi regalia? I don’t think the Jews would be quite as forgiving of the Germans as they are today if that were the case.
So the only way we can end racism is to take away our Constitutional rights? I’m not in any way saying I agree with Nazi’s – so don’t attack. I’m just saying that there has to be a middle ground. We live in a country that must celebrate our right to choice and our voice.
By the way, the Nazi’s do march down our streets. It’s the price we have to pay for our rights – they have right too. Repulsive as we may find them.
What is it that you think the US can do to stop racism?
December 30th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
The bottom line is that things like this are too difficult for most “liberals” to understand (MattY, most of the first set of commenters, etc.), and those few “liberals” who have the ability to understand these issues are willing to take advantage of others’ failings in order to hurt the GOP and to hold on to their power.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
There is an old saying that what is in you always comes out eventually.
There’s a good deal of that happening in this comment thread. Woe for the poor white people, who can’t say ‘what they really think’ and are hamstrung by politeness and decency! I shed a tear.
You should shed a tear – racism goes both ways……..
December 30th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
And the views of actual members of racial minorities as to what is and isn’t racist should be completely discounted.
Exactly. Hence the continued existence of the “Washington Redskins” and Chief Wahoo. Somehow the repeated claims, “No, we mean it the good way!” count more than “There is no good way to mean that, we think it’s really offensive.”
Not that anyone else has discussed it since this was posted three hours ago, but when polls are taken of Native Americans that ask about the sports team name issue, a majority respond that it’s unimportant and they don’t care if the teams/mascots are renamed. As a white guy who thinks “Redskins” is a stupid name and wish Snyder would ditch it that was a surprise to me, but facts are facts. The “actual members of the racial minority” don’t agree with me.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hey Todd in Lexington,
This whole thing wasn’t caused by the liberal LA Times.
It was caused by the clueless at the RNC sending a racist CD to all its members, and all of you who think there is nothing wrong with it.
You’re clueless. Buts thats ok, Republican membership is on a freefall. All that will be left are all the bigots.
Good luck to you all.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I think American society needs to collectively get a grip and see how it is done across the pond.
I don’t know if this has occurred to you, but maybe the different history of the UK has produced a different set of hot buttons. Try using “wog” “across the pond” and see how it’s received.
Here’s the deal. Rush Limbaugh has earned a presumption of guilt when it comes to racism. If you need to have the reasons explained to you, you’re probably incapable of comprehending them. That presumption rubs off on anyone who uses Limbaugh material pertaining to race. Presumptions are only a starting point, of course, and can be defeated. But anyone who doesn’t understand that they were playing with fire by distributing this piece should by definition be excluded for consideration as an officer of a national political party. They’re just not accomplished enough for the job.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
By calling it when we see it. Like when someone puts out a CD with a track titled “Barack the Magic Negro” and then says “but it was just a joke… (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more)”
December 30th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Yvonne, it’s clear to any thinking, reasoning person that blacks voted for Obama because he’s Democrat. Like most Democrats white or black, they’d just as soon vote for a fence post than for a Republican.
It’s also clear to thinking, reasoning people that the Democrats have bought the votes of many minorities through give-away socialist programs, ala Obama’s spread the wealth mentality.
Go ahead and keep voting yourselves largesse from the government trough. This country will and all its great ideals will soon go the way of the Dodo bird due to the selfishness of the “me-first” liberals.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Britain is so much less PC than the US that…uh…George Bush set off a stink in Britain by unwittingly using the word “Paki” to refer Pakistanis, without realizing it’s considered a slur there.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
The commentary here is turning into circle jerk of conservative closet cases. Perhaps I’ll compose a ditty…
December 30th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I’m a democrat that WOULD probably vote for a fencepost rather than vote for a Republican. I’d be ashamed to be associated with anyone that actually thinks Rush Limbaugh has anything intelligent to say.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
uhmm…the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson OE, uses “Paki” just about all the time. He also says things like, “Out of my way, small car driven by ordinary person on modest income. Make way for the Nissan Murano!” (He was elected with full knowledge of all these things)
Can you imagine the same being elected Mayor of NYC?
December 30th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
“I would have been more impressed if he had stood up and said that he believed in Reverend Wright’s preaching instead of throwing his family member of 20 years under the bus.”
Wait, you would really have preferred Obama lied to you by saying he believed in things he doesn’t just ’cause someone he once credited (NOT a family member, watch yourself with these “facts” that aren’t true) said them?
I suppose I have no choice but to take you at your word, but I find that rather incredulous- it definitely sounds like the sort of post-facto defamation of someone who was just going to hate Obama no matter what he did.
“It matters when you stand up for something and defend your actions”
Sure, but what Wright said are not, no matter how hard you wish it so, Obama’s actions. And if you think most Americans think it WAS, well, scoreboard, buddy.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
So you think it’s a good thing the Mayor of London uses “Paki” all the time? Just so we’re clear.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson OE, uses “Paki” just about all the time
The UK is known for having regular south asian riots. You know why? Because south asians are treated and regarded much worse by the British than by Americans. It’s kind of funny how you seem to endorse public racial prejudice without realizing that it’s an immoral and dangerous way to run a society.
America is a place in which many races, a couple of which (the African American and Native American) were specifically targetted by the American legal system at its founding for specific oppression, have to get along and work together as a cohesive unit. That’s the reason that racially inflamatory behavior “as a joke!” is considered unacceptable behavior by political figures.
Also, Myles, your mother is a whore.
What? Can’t you take a joke?
December 30th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
So you think it’s a good thing the Mayor of London uses “Paki” all the time?
No, I just think it is good that he doesn’t get beat up in the public sphere for being politically incorrect. David Cameron, leader of the Tories and likely the next PM, once told an audience in the poorest part of the UK (Glasgow East) that the poor and fat have to blame themselves for at least part of their afflictions. This is what I respect; telling it like it is instead of smothering the plain truth in PC-speak.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Tyro, that joke (if that is a joke) is hardly funny and quite tasteless. If it wasn’t a joke then it was equally awful libel.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Methinks the racism apoligists that have infected this thread (Steven Myles, Sherry, Bob, Al, Tod, Jim, 24ahedinass) are protesting too much.
You are racists, and so is Rush Limbaugh. Learn to love your hate. You’ll be much happier.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Tyro, that joke (if that is a joke) is hardly funny and quite tasteless. If it wasn’t a joke then it was equally awful libel.
Why are you beating up Tyro for being politically incorrect? David Cameron, leader of the Tories and likely the next PM, once told an audience in one of the poorest part of the UK (East Cheam) that their mothers were whores and had only themselves to blame themselves for sleeping around.
Tyro was only telling it like it is instead of smothering the plain truth about your mother in PC-speak.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Wow, remember back when everyone was arguing about the Israel/Palestine conflict and hoping for more sane discussion? Remember way back then, three hours ago? Remember how great it was?
Sherry Says:
December 30th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Why do you ‘assume’ that I’m a conservative? In fact, I’m not. I do however feel that wearing a flag pin is a show of respect.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
You hate, hate, hate political correctness, you’re far more concerned about racism by minorities than towards minorities, you agree unquestioningly with Al of all people when he says that this is “liberals’ favorite dishonest political tactic,” you think a flag pin is a sign of good character and you make it a point to say “merry Christmas” rather than “happy holidays.” But you aren’t a conservative. Riiight. Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.
Sherry, way back in your first comment you said that black people are racist because they voted overwhelmingly for Obama. More than one commenter has pointed out that is simply false, because they also supported Kerry overwhelmingly, and every other Democrat in recent years, and the increase in black support for Obama over Kerry is basically the same as the increase in general support for Obama over Kerry. Almost a hundred comments and 12 jackalopes later, you’re still babbling on. Could you explain what you meant by that “blacks are racist for supporting Obama” thing, please? I don’t think I understand what you were trying to say.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Surely the UK doesn’t have libel laws. How PC!
Perhaps not, but in terms of batshit crazyness, I’m not sure he beats out Marion Barry.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
You should shed a tear – racism goes both ways……..
No, it actually does not. We’re talking about an extended period of one race owning another as property, and then another extended period of not granting them basic civil rights. People who grew up without them are still alive, so alas, we are not quite yet over it.
Portraying this as two equal groups who just don’t like each other and calling both sides racist is pathetic. Many black people are suspicious of white people and tend to stick together (what you call racism) because of very real and recent behavior by an entire society of white people. And many white people are suspicious of black people and tend to stick together (what you don’t call racism) because of very real and recent behavior by an entire society of white people.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Isabel, Isabel, Isabel, you proved my earlier point about ignorance. The parody song titled “Barack the Magic Negro” was in response to an article in the LA Times earlier this year with that title. Please, get a clue.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
As with most blogs, this one is all over the map. Sherry, you should shut up because with each post you make you sound more and more rediculous. The only way to block racism is to take away our constitutional rights? So you believe it is your constitutional right to run around filling the air with hate? I thought good parents instill bullying is wrong, treating people the way you would want to be treated is right and other simple lessons to life. Unfortunately, people have never had to take an I.Q. test or common sense test before creating other people….so we get dumbasses running around spewing nonsense.
Simple fact is Conservative or Republican is code for Racist and fortunately the majority of people are starting to see that. The republican party can hang up all hopes of ever getting back into power as long as they keep up that mind set. People are marrying outside of their races and befriending people outside of their race and so the group that has bullied for so long is loosing the majority of it’s followers.
Seriously, Sherry – shut up!
December 30th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Surprised Steve Sailor hasn’t made an appearance yet.
He’s got mandatory cross-burning until 5pm.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
brewmn,
My, my, how judgemental of you! You know nothing of me or my heritage and yet you profess to call me a racist? I just love how some people love to get all holier-than-thou when they truly haven’t a clue.
My family and it’s ancestry consists of multiple ethnicities and nationalities and I love and accept them all. Besides that, Scripture teaches that, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28) It wouldn’t be wise for me deny God’s teaching on such an important issue.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Which states had republicans supporting the cd? HMMM want people to trust that it was just in good humor, may want to have the bible belt shut up too!
December 30th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Tod in Lexington: they have a word for people that have “family” that they “accept and love” it’s called a biggot. If you weren’t one you wouldn’t have to point out the fact that you’re not one.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Tod, we’re just pointing out that you are making it quite clear the level to which you’ve sinned and fallen short of the glory of God regarding your ability to live out Galatians 3:28. It’s one thing to believe the words on the page. It’s another thing to let that belief actually influence the decisions you make and behavior you engage in.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Also, I voted for Obama because he earned his way into Harvard (it wasn’t given to him because of who his family is) he came across as intelligent, level headed and had the ability to lead. His team of advisors and the group that will help him make good decisions seem better qualified to lead us in the right direction than McCain and his group. I thought that was how all responsible voters voted. I forgot we still play on teams and even if your team stinks…yeah gotta root for them anyway (go Lions!)
December 30th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I never cease to be amazed at the complete and total level of absurdity some will stupe to. I’m accused of something and defend myself and then I’m told if I really wasn’t what I was accused of, I would need to defend myself. HUH?!?!
Any Tyro, if you were someone intimately acquinted with my life, your reproof might mean something to me. I fall short every day of my life of living up to what my God calls me to. However, since you know nothing of the areas of my life where I struggle, I will just have accept the fact that you’re another in a long line of people who love to pass down judgement on people of things of which they have no knowledge.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Gee, betterthinker, with a handle like that I would have never guessed you would have voted for Obama. I’m shocked !
December 30th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Tod, here’s the thing: all we have to go on is the set of statements you’ve made, and those statements do not indicate good things about your mindset and your association with race-baiting. You can defend yourself by talking about how you stick to the Bible, but, based on when you had an opportunity to act things out when invited to make a statement on how Republicans support and rally around race-baiters when they run for RNC head, you fail in a big way. I have no idea what you’re like “deep down,” but the truth is that it doesn’t really matter– your own acts and statements define you.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Why does anybody still think that Rush Limbaugh has something important to say? I can’t believe that self-important pompous blowhard can have any following…just shows how low we’ve fallen. Same goes for Bush, by the way. The “parody” is racist – end of story. Feel better now.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Stephen Myles St. George said… And say, if a black producer make a song called “Bush the Stupid White Man” for a black audience, it would also be offensive, by your (faulty) logic? Of course not.
Actually, as much as I loath GW, I’d have no problem calling that offensive. Bush’s failures have nothing to do with his race. He failed as a person … he failed ENORMOUSLY as a person. I would not, however, be offended if the same was applied to a white supremacist, where race was the central issue.
As a white man, here are a couple of quotes I find offensive and racist:
“Black people can’t be racist.” –Spike Lee
“Only white people can be racist, and I am not white.” — Harry Allen of Public Enemy
BTW, my wife (who is black) finds them offensive and racist too.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Tyro,
Please explain to me how I “fail in a big way” on this race issue? Did I defend in any way any racist comments or racism in general. My first post merely pointed out that people were getting all up in arms about the supposed racism (I say supposed because I do not know any of the “suspects” under condemnation) were and are uninformed about the genesis of this whole “Barack the Magic Negro” thing.
All you have to do is google the phrase and you can learn for yourself that song, which I’ve never heard by the way, was written in response to an article in the LA Times titled, “Obama the magic negro”. It was written by a black, gay rights advocate named David Ehrenstein.
My only point, in case you missed it, was not to defend Saltsman OR the song, only to point out that ignorant liberals (read that right, I didn’t say stupid!) blamed Saltsman for something he did not start. Liberals remain eerily silent when one of their own says something stupid (recall Biden’s “clean” comments about Obama) and jump all over a conservative when there is even the slightest hint of something, somewhere that maybe, just might be, could possibly be something they can damn them with.
I could recant more than a few times when I’ve been called a “stick in the mud” because I wouldn’t laugh at ethnic jokes told even by my friends that are minorities themselves, but then, I would be defending myself against something that I shouldn’t need to defend myself against, wouldn’t I?
Sometimes, it seems liberals go to great lenghts to live up to their caricatures.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Hey LFC,
Do you consider this statement racist:
“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy, I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”
Just so you know, the guy who said that was none other than Joe Biden. Yep, THAT Joe Biden. The same one that was run out of the 1988 Democrat primaries for plagiarising a story by a British writer and inserting himself into someone elses life story. Man, you just can’t make this stuff up.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Despite the self-righteousness of Al and Sherry, Republicans have been pandering to racial prejudice and stereotypes as political strategy — beginning with Nixon and continuing with Reagan, Bush 41, Bush 43 — to win over conservative Dems to vote Repub. They wrapping their shit in a package of euphemisms such as “welfare reform” and “states rights”, but it all boils down to racism. And Al and Sherry are just as much hate-mongers by playing the roll of the apologists. Sorry you don’t even have to unwrap the package to smell the stink.
What’s amusing is that the South is becoming marginalized as a political force. Saltsman’s antics might bind the party loyalists to him, but his behavior is probably both a cause and symptom of the decline of American Conservatism. Keep up the yammering, Al and Sherry, you’re just driving more and more people into the arms of the Dems.
–Beo
December 30th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
So, now we have a black representative from Illinois, Bobby Rush, making accusations that Democrats may not want to go on record opposing Blagojevich’s selection to fill Obama’s seat because that might hint of racism? Burris, Blagojevich’s choice, is black so if you oppose his appointment your racist?
This is what race has become in America: a club with which to bludgeon your opponents or anyone who disagrees with you. It’s as dispicable as racism itself and really does far greater damage. Like the boy who cried wolf, it makes real instances of real racism come into question, and you libs are playing right into it.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Chip Saltsman “the magic douchebag”
December 30th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
So, Beo, “welfare reform” and “states rights” are euphemisms, huh? What, you have a problem with individual responsibility? It’s okay to continue to make bad choices and have other people pay for it? I guess you’re getting what you want with all this government bailout crap, right?
I’m also guessing you have a problem with the Constitution which specifically states that any right not specifically spelled out as a federal responsibility is subject to state jurisdiction. That puts you in the same company as Obama who doesn’t think the Constitution goes far enough in allowing social justice, which is a liberal euphemism for spreading the wealth around.
Robin Hood lives on in the form of your local politician, both Democrat and Republican. The only difference is who they choose to give your money to.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
@commenter 55, skeptic:
The next day in the grocery store, this guy who lives around the street runs into your wife. He calls her a slut, a bitch and a ho. Wife runs back in tears to tell you about it. You go see the neighbor, do you clean his clock or shake his hand.
Depends on your feelings about your wife!
December 30th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Todd @ post 144 stakes out his claim to be a protector of the US Constitution…
“I’m also guessing you have a problem with the Constitution which specifically states that any right not specifically spelled out as a federal responsibility is subject to state jurisdiction.”
My answer to this is: States don’t have “rights” under the Constitution (read the 10th a little more carefully, Todd!). States have “powers” (or “authority” in other sections of the Constitution) — but they’re not like an individual, who has rights. And rights are generally the opposite of power and authority
.
Moreover, the Conservative mantra of “State’s Rights, State’s Rights, State’s Rights” has been used as a rallying point to gin up anger and fear against little things like, oh, Civil Rights, Abortion Rights, Birth Control Rights, Voting Rights — the list goes on and on. Of course, Conservatives, say f**k all to States Rights when a “liberul” state tries to do something progressive, such as to legalize medical marijuana or legalize gay marriage.
As for your rant about redistributing the wealth, the fact is that the “business-friendly” states of the South, actually compare very poorly from an economic-perspective against high-tax states like CA, NY, etc. High taxes are really more business friendly than low taxes, because high-tax States can invest in infrastructure that businesses really like. So rather than whining about how your wealth is being redistributed, suck it up, and be patriotic — pay your taxes proudly. Jeez! It always amazes me how un-American most Conservatives really are. They really seem to want the country to fail…
–Beo
December 30th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Ah, yes because he had no choice, right? Personal responsibility really isn’t something that you are actually all that keen on, is that what you are saying???
The strawman that you keep throwing down about an opinion piece written in Spring 2007 is NOT the issue. Yes, trying to change the argument is the only way you can even try to defend the indefensible, but here’s the real thing. The issue is that a CD called “We Hate the USA” containing this ditty and others called, The Star Spanglish Banner, Ivory and Ebony, etc. was distributed by a candidate looking to head the Republican National Committee. Someone who wants to run one of the two major political parties in this country. It’s not a matter of being PC, it’s a matter of being a dumbass. In what sense could this ever be considered a GOOD IDEA??? I’m with Newt Gingrich — this action should categorically disqualify Saltsman from office. And any member of the party who defends such stupidity as well. Sorry, but the Republican party needs to take a look at what happened in this election. It lost minority votes. It lost the votes of independents. It is losing members. So, in a nation that is only getting browner, is it truly a good idea to alienate swaths of the population? Again this is not a question of political correctness, this is a question of political survival. Rhetoric regarding the “real American” parts of the country — ya’ know, the non-urban parts — when the majority of the population does actually live in cities, also not bright. Dividing the country is not working any longer. Adapt or die.
Basically, it comes down to this, if you are a morning shock-jock or a comedian doing edgy comedy, this sort of parody (when done well, which we could argue whether this one is at all funny, cause frankly, not so much IMO)can work for you. If you are a politician, stay away. Not a good idea. If you are a politician attempting to run a party that is trying to escape years in the wilderness or just plain irrelevancy, run screaming. Really the Republican party needs more of Colin Powell’s style, much less Rush Limbaugh if it hopes to return to power in the future.
Defending any aspect of this is just weak sauce, man.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Sorry, I did not mean to bold any more than a couple of words, but somehow the unbold part got deleted, I guess. Stupid no editing, no previewing comments section…
December 30th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Is that a picture of Saltsman?
They all look alike to me.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:15 am
Well, Teehee, you may have a point. But by and large, I take the view that anyone who calls a woman a whore in a neutral public context is a sexist until proven otherwise and dearly begging to have his teeth relocated. The point is that not all speech is utterly neutral, but what can be said often has a lot to do with who is saying it to whom and when. “Barack the Magic Negro” is such an obvious bit of racist posturing that really, there’s no excuse whatsoever. And attempting to rationalize or justify it simply drags you down deeper.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:16 am
This is not to suggest that I, in any way, shape or form, endorse violence as a response or solution.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:52 am
but he is magical
December 31st, 2008 at 1:16 am
Generally speaking, Saltsman’s act is symbolic of the republican’s penchant for saying things in ways that are deliberately abrasive, offensive, rude and insensitive. That in turn raises the ire of not just liberals, but all of us who believe in extending common decency, common courtesy and respect to all people — even those we disagree with.
If the intention was meant to incise liberals it succeeded along with provoking independents and other conservatives, too. If we follow the line of thinking that “the ends justify the means,” then anything goes including race-baiting — calling it satire does not fly.
Treating others as you would like to be treated seems to be lost on those who insist on being abrasive. Politicians would be wise to stay clear of this type of behaviour otherwise they risk alienating an even larger segment of the population.
Every one deserves to be treated with common decency and respect, regardless of colour, age, religious beliefs and/or political party affiliation. We can agree to disagree without being disrespectful.
December 31st, 2008 at 7:02 am
Beo, point taken on “power” versus “rights”, poor word choice on my part. Still, you can rant all you want about how conservatives are against states rights when it comes to civil rights, liberals don’t have that great a record either. Me? I’m more libertarian (that’s little ‘l’ libertarian) than conservative. I have no problem with people doing with their lives whatever it is they wish to do. I do have a problem with them voting themselves cash out of my pocket to do it though.
Patriotic to pay taxes. To a certain extent I might be willing to give you that. However, you seem to forget that our country was founded on a tax revolt and those taxes were a pitance compared to the opressive structure of todays tax code.
To Cris:
No strawman. I just think that those condemning Saltsman without condemning Ehrenstein lack credibility. It smacks of pure partisanhsip which is what everyone seemed to be so enamored with about Obama. I mean, isn’t he supposed to be some great uniter? Yet here we have the same old same old.
Personally, because perception is reality (unfortunately, ignorance creates ignorant reality) Republicans SHOULD dismiss the candidacy of Saltsman. Even the prospect of someone like Saltsman having a leadership position is a smack in the face to decent Americans. And YES, he should be accountable for what he says and does.
Look, I’m just asking for you Republican haters to look inside yourself and ask yourself WHY your so incensed at this guy when you continually give passes to people in your own party who say and do equally ignorant things. Again, THAT’S PARTISANSHIP!
December 31st, 2008 at 8:46 am
Couple of issues:
1. Who is necessarily giving Ehrenstein a pass? Using a stupid argument to make a stupid argument does not give credence to the second argument. Guy number one writes an opinion piece that speaks to Guy number one’s opinion. Guy number two takes Guy number one’s opinion and does a parody for a radio show. While in questionable taste, I’m not criticizing Guy number two. Guy number three, political figure of a major party takes Guy number two’s parody and mails it friends as he is running to head said party (along with other parodies of questionable taste). My issue, and I believe the issue on the table, are the actions of Guy number three, not the first two and the reaction from members of Guy number three’s political party. That ANY leaders defend this makes me question the leaders.
2. What does criticism of Guy number three for undertaking acts that we agree are stupid, have to do with Obama’s partisanship? As far as I’ve seen, the President-elect has brushed this whole thing off. The fact that some citizens are upset that a national political party does not condemn this action categorically, as recommended by no less a “republican hater” than Newt Gingrich, is called holding public officials accountable for their actions. Basic democracy 101. And while were at it, other than Burris and Bobby Rush, Blago’s appointment is getting zero support from the democratic party. An example of idiots doing idiotic things that don’t get mainstream party endorsement.
3. Why the assumption that I’m a “republican hater”? Because I question actions and reactions by the republican party? I’m an independent. A moderate. The kind of person that the republican party needs as much as the democratic party. As someone sitting in the middle, I believe we need strong opposing parties. This is how the balance in a democracy is maintained. I’m criticizing the republican party and its reactions completely for this reason. If lessons that are there to be learned are not learned — the actions taken recently, and rhetoric that seems to flying around seems at this point anyway to support the notion that the party is retreating to the ever-shrinking base. I don’t think that is good for our democracy.
Lastly, to put a finer point on a lot of criticisms that I’ve seen, there is a difference in my mind between statements and actions. The thing that disturbs me most about this episode is that this action by Saltsman required a lot of thought. This was not a “macaca” moment. Not a comment made by Biden. Not one utterance made out of many in one’s career. To decide to mail out a CD, to take the time to do so, would, you would think, involve planning. Plenty of time to say, what is my goal here? What message am I sending? How might this be interpreted? How does this reflect on my party? Ya know, the one he wants to lead. And the response was a big screw ‘em. You reap what you sow.
December 31st, 2008 at 9:45 am
First of all, it’s a pretty heinous and dishonest butchering of history to claim that the American revolution was a tax revolt. The colonists had quite a few causes. Even where taxation was an issue, the cry was not ‘no taxation!’ It was ‘no taxation without representation.’
Second, Libertarianism is an idiotic philosophy. As far as I’m concerned announcing libertarianism is like announcing a sexual attraction to ducks. It’s not going to bring credibility to the table.
Third, the Ehrenstein argument is blithering nonsense. The argument in its bluntest terms is that a previous wrong makes a right. Or ‘well, I don’t see why you’re making a big deal about my molesting my sister, last month the neighbor down the street kicked his dog and no one said anything.’ That kind of tit for tat arguing belongs in elementary schoolyards.
December 31st, 2008 at 10:58 am
Ladies and Gentlemen, if you had any doubts about whether racism still exists in this country, may I provide you with Exhibit A: This comment thread.
150+ comments to debate whether a fucktard who says “Barack The Magic Negro” is offensive (or racist) or not? Are you f’n kidding me?
December 31st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Amen
January 4th, 2009 at 3:01 am
David Ehrenstein’s article in the LA Times which started this whole this racist to the core. And that’s cause Mr. Ehrenstein himself is bi-racial and a spokeman for white Pseudo-Liberals.
I would even go so far as to say Mr. Ehrenstein’s actions were more racist than that of the Republican cd blah blah.
http://unclefatlips.com/top-feature/will-the-real-magical-negro-please-shut-up/
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