[Rhodes22-list] Politics: Barack the Magic Negro
Herb Parsons
hparsons at parsonsys.com
Sun Dec 28 16:59:41 EST 2008
Ben,
It's simple
One
I asked you to point out the "offensive racial insults"
You didn't
I suspect you couldn't.
I suspect that the insults, like many such insults, were simply in the
mind of the insulted. You missed the point of the parody, and that's
sad. You also unfairly labeled the writer of the parody as a racist, or
at least participating in racism. And now you firmly refuse to see any
other possible motivation.
Side note - Your reference to Saltman is noteworthy. This was one of 41,
that's right FOURTY ONE, political ditties. Obviously, his intent was
political, not racist. Unfortunately, he didn't clear it with you and
Rummy first.
Probably though, you two know more about his "intent" than he did...
Benjamin Cittadino wrote:
> Herb, Bill and Brad;
>
> First, let me be clear, I meant it when I said I have resolved to quit the
> debate with you people.
>
> Second, I take you at your word that none of you are racist as we commonly
> use that term in a perjorative sense. Nor do I believe I have called any of
> you racist.
>
> Third, I do believe "context" is important and that the use of racial terms
> is offensive, or not, depending very much upon who uses the reference and
> when, and the audience to whom the speech is directed.
>
> Fourth, the "ditty" received notoriety because of Mr. Saltsman's position,
> his transparent motivation, his race, and the audience to whom it was
> directed. In that context, and Bill's posting of it when he did without
> condemnation, was, in my view, and apparently in Rummy's view, offensive.
>
> Fifth, my forebearance in the future from political debate on this site has
> nothing whatsoever to do with Bill's post.
>
> I wish all of you well, with great success and happiness in the future. I
> hope I can count on your continued advice and counsel on sailing related
> topics which I look forward to sharing with you.
>
> Happy New Year;
>
> Ben C.
>
>
>
>
> hparsons wrote:
>
>> Ben,
>>
>> There was absolutely no racial insult. The parody was ABOUT the racial
>> issues being bandied about at the time (early 2007).
>>
>> David Ehrenstein wrote an editorial in published in the LA times about
>> Obama being the "magic negro" back in March of 2007.
>>
>> http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,5335087.story?coll=la-opinion-center
>>
>> Shortly before that, in February of 2007, Senator Joe Biden called Obama
>> the "first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and
>> clean and a nice-looking guy". I would hazard to say that the statement
>> was not offensive enough to keep them from becoming running mates.
>>
>> Also in March of 2007, Al Sharpton became increasingly critical of
>> Obama. You can read this story as just a sample of many similar stories
>> of the time:
>>
>> http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/294494,CST-NWS-obama13.article
>>
>> Finally, in March of 2007, Paul Shanklin wrote a parody song to the tune
>> of Puff the Magic Dragon.
>>
>> The upshot of the aforementioned "Magic Negro" article was that the main
>> reason whites are supporting Obama was because of their white guilt, and
>> that we choose the likes of Obama because it "replaces stereotypes of a
>> dangerous, highly sexualized black man with a benign figure for whom
>> interracial sexual congress holds no interest."
>>
>> If you will read the article, you'll find that THAT is where the racist
>> comments lie, not in the parody. I doubt you'll bother, because it's so
>> much more ... fun... to throw "racist" accusations at the right than it
>> is to such noble entities as the LA Times.
>>
>> But, I digress.
>>
>> So, this ridiculous article came out. Coupled with Biden's ridiculous
>> comments about Obama, and Sharpton's much-lauded (by both the right and
>> the left) frustration with the usurper Obama; someone felt a parody was
>> in order. I might add that even the aforementioned article talks about
>> Biden and Sharpton:
>> =====
>> "The only mud that momentarily stuck was criticism (white and black
>> alike) concerning Obama's alleged "inauthenticty," as compared to such
>> sterling examples of "genuine" blackness as Al Sharpton and Snoop Dogg."
>> --
>> and
>> --
>> "Obama's fame right now has little to do with his political record or
>> what he's written in his two (count 'em) books, or even what he's
>> actually said in those stem-winders. It's the way he's said it that
>> counts the most. It's his manner, which, as presidential hopeful Sen.
>> Joe Biden ham-fistedly reminded us, is "articulate." His tone is always
>> genial, his voice warm and unthreatening, and he hasn't called his
>> opponents names (despite being baited by the media)."
>> =====
>>
>> So, the parody was written. And, of course, idiots choose to call the
>> parody racist while ignoring the original article.
>>
>> Of course, we can't talk about the racism of the original article, can
>> we? Why not? Why, because the author is black of course.
>>
>> So, with all that in mind, I challenge you to find the "offensive racial
>> insults" in these words. I doubt that you will even try. Instead, you'll
>> throw out ridiculous "racist" accusations with no foundation. Maybe the
>> author of the words should heed YOUR advice about libel lawsuits...:
>>
>> =====
>> Barack the Magic Negro lives in D.C.
>> The L.A. Times, they called him that
>> 'Cause he's not authentic like me.
>>
>> Yeah, the guy from the L.A. paper
>> Said he makes guilty whites feel good
>> They'll vote for him, and not for me
>> 'Cause he's not from the hood.
>>
>> See, real black men, like Snoop Dog,
>> Or me, or Farrakhan
>> Have talked the talk, and walked the walk.
>> Not come in late and won!
>>
>> Refrain:
>> Oh, Barack the Magic Negro, lives in D.C.
>> The L.A. Times, they called him that
>> 'Cause he's black, but not authentically.
>>
>> (repeat Refrain)
>>
>> Some say Barack's "articulate"
>> And bright and new and "clean"
>> The media sure loves this guy,
>> A white interloper's dream!
>>
>> But, when you vote for president,
>> Watch out, and don't be fooled!
>> Don't vote the Magic Negro in
>> 'Cause... (music stops, Sharpton rants, music returns)
>>
>>
>> Benjamin Cittadino wrote:
>>
>>> Rummy;
>>>
>>> I want you to know that I hope you will reconsider your participation in
>>> the
>>> list. I have found your contributions to be witty, intelligent and
>>> humorous;
>>> I believe your sailing and boat knowledge would also be a real loss. Give
>>> some thought to limiting your posts to sailing and humor if the political
>>> stuff gets you down. I understand your objection to Bill's post though
>>> and
>>> respect your drawing the line you have chosen. Despite the cries of
>>> hypocrisy, I am quite certain everybody knows the difference between
>>> offensive racial insults, and calling a witless politician a moron. All
>>> insults are not morally equivalent and I believe it is disingenuous to
>>> pretend otherwise.
>>>
>>> I have resolved to quit the political and ideological debate as well.
>>>
>>> And so, in the words of the French Herald at the conclusion of the Battle
>>> of
>>> Agincourt (Henry V), "The day is yours", King William. But remember, "All
>>> glory is fleeting".
>>>
>>> Rummy, the openness and generosity of list members on the sailing topics
>>> is
>>> a credit to the people who participate. So please stick around.
>>>
>>> Ben C.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> R22RumRunner wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Bill and Brad,
>>>> There is nothing funny about the direction this list has gone. I'm
>>>> signing
>>>> off....permanently. She's all yours boys.
>>>>
>>>> Rummy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> In a message dated 12/28/2008 9:38:11 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>>>> bill at effros.com writes:
>>>>
>>>> It's actually an Al Sharpton parody, but the lefties who thought
>>>> nothing
>>>> of calling Bush a moron, or Palin a dunce, have remarkably thin skins
>>>> when anyone mentions that Barack is a Negro.
>>>>
>>>> "What goes round, comes round."
>>>>
>>>> Or, as we used to say,
>>>>
>>>> "Repayment in kind."
>>>>
>>>> Bill Effros
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Brad Haslett wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Bill,
>>>>>
>>>>> How funny, I almost sent that this morning. One of the candidates
>>>>> for
>>>>> the RNC Chairmanship (from Tennessee) got in hot water for
>>>>> distributing that video with the PC police. My guy is Michael
>>>>> Steele,
>>>>> who probably thinks it's funny. What a hoot!
>>>>>
>>>>> Brad
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, Dec 28, 2008 at 8:09 AM, Bill Effros <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvXz2xaLNMQ
>>>>>>
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>>>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>> --
>> Herb Parsons
>>
>> __________________________________________________
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>>
>>
>
>
--
Herb Parsons
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