Posted on 05/19/2007 5:29:09 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
'Today’ Show to Report on Rush Limbaugh’s ‘Barack the ‘Magic Negro’’ Parody Posted by Noel Sheppard on May 19, 2007 - 19:47.
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh reported on air and at his website Friday that NBC’s “Today” show is going to do a segment Monday regarding his musical parody “Barack the ‘Magic Negro’” (audio available here, subscription required):
Now, this first aired on March 21st. This is May 18th. By the time they get around to doing their profile, it will be two months old as a story.
Interesting point. After all, Obama himself shrugged this whole thing off as just "entertainment" weeks ago.
Regardless, Rush continued:
In these two months, I have spent countless minutes on this program explaining the genesis of the parody. I have gone line by line translating and explaining it, demonstrating that everything in it is based on fact and words that were uttered by liberals. In this period of time, Barack Obama has laughed it off and called it dumb. In this period of time, Al Sharpton responded. Just this week we had the audio sound bite where Sharpton was asked about it and said (paraphrased), "Limbaugh has the right to do this. He's attacking individuals. He's not going after gender or race entirely. He's attacking an individual," and so forth. It's all based on Sharpton's admitted jealousy of Obama's being lauded and loved and being called "clean and articulate" by Joe Biden.
Clearly, Limbaugh believes that “Today” will misrepresent the genesis of this parody, and accuse him, in this post-Imus era, of being racist. As such, Limbaugh has posted at his website everything one needs to know about this song here.
For example, will Matt or Meredith mention that the whole thing was precipitated by a column in the Los Angeles Times by David Ehrenstein entitled “Obama the ‘Magic Negro’” (emphasis added):
AS EVERY CARBON-BASED life form on this planet surely knows, Barack Obama, the junior Democratic senator from Illinois, is running for president. Since making his announcement, there has been no end of commentary about him in all quarters — musing over his charisma and the prospect he offers of being the first African American to be elected to the White House.
But it's clear that Obama also is running for an equally important unelected office, in the province of the popular imagination — the "Magic Negro."
The Magic Negro is a figure of postmodern folk culture, coined by snarky 20th century sociologists, to explain a cultural figure who emerged in the wake of Brown vs. Board of Education. "He has no past, he simply appears one day to help the white protagonist," reads the description on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Negro .
What’s the likelihood that this article will even be addressed Monday? Next to zero, correct?
Well, as Rush concluded, this is going to be fun.
For those that haven’t heard the song, it comes in minute three of the following audio link (subscription required). The lyrics are as follows:
SHARPTON IMPRESSIONIST PAUL SHANKLIN:
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. paperSaid 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)
(background vocalists repeat refrain & finish song)
Didn’t check the Wiki entry, but I thought Spike Lee coined “Magic Negro”.
Was wondering how long the liberal media and the PC crowd would take to go after Rush for this parody. It only took them two months. America’s leftwingers think Limbaugh`s a racist and a bigot. They alwqays gotta make something outta nothing. Won’t be satisfied until all Americans are swimming in their socialist cesspool. LOL
ie: Hit Piece
Rush made pre-mincemeat out of ABC on friday....
Sharpton hasnt complained because he is Hillary’s Boy.
Fair and balanced, I’m sure.
ML/NJ
Wiki is a joke for the most part, that’s wher all these Media idiots ge their “verification”... Anyone can say anything about any subject!
As far as parodies go, it is a great one. And is is creatainly more about Rev. Al than Obama.
Spellcheck is my friend, spellcheck is my friend!
That would be “where” and “get”
( looks embarassed )
Had you all the way, FRiend. Reading is one thing, writing another.
“It only took them two months.”
No kidding. The Left is SO ‘cutting edge.’ They totally know which way the country is headed...60 days AFTER the fact, LOL!
THIS IS AWESOME!!! SEND IT OUT across the Netsphere!
OK, this is a serious suggestion...
Rush should invite Obama on the air. They can agree to disagree about politics and Obama will be able to simultaneously laugh it off, come off as a class act, and drive a major stake into the hildebeast.
I'm glad he waited for clearance. I imagine he got the green light.
A lot of us are itching for a big 'ole fight!
Spike has used it, but he didn't invent it. He did add the rhetorical flourish of "super-duper magical negro," and brought it more widespread attention -- let's face it, how many literary tropes become well-known? I mean, other than the Grateful Dead.
(The band the Grateful Dead chose their name from a literary criticism textbook. As a lit crit term, the "grateful dead" refers to someone who is slain, or found dead, and given a decent burial, a few words and a bit of thought from an altruistic stranger. The stranger is then rewarded by a ghost who guides him to some bit of wisdom or hidden treasure. Kind of like a good Samaritan, but post-mortem.)
Lee popularized the term. LA Times columnist David Ehrenstein first applied it to Obama back in March. Google "magic negro" (with quotes), and the Ehrenstein column is the top hit.
I don't find most of Shanklin's parodies very interesting or funny, but then I don't find about 99% of talk radio very interesting or funny any more. If I read FR before 10 AM, I can pretty well predict what Limbaugh, Hannity and Savage will be talking about for the rest of the day. It's become completely formulaic.
Guys, if you're going to read off talking points from a stack of index cards, just put the index cards online. Then I can blow through them, be done in five minutes, and go on with my life. Even if I loved the sound of Rush Limbaugh's voice, which I don't, it's no match for just reading the screed and listening to Django Reainhardt.
I'm not sure Spike Lee coined anything, 'cept maybe somebody else's car.
If you read the various sources, the "Magic Negro" is a 1950s thing, as you can tell from the "Negro" locution. Until 1965 or so, polite liberals used the word "colored," along with the word "Negro." After that, you had to say "Afro-American." Then "black." Then . . .
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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