# Barack the Magic Negro **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 28, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980 "2008-12-28T18:06:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/181 "2008-12-31T16:24:58Z")
I do recall a comment or two to that effect in GD. But there was an even more widespread sentiment expressed, starting in the primaries, that America should show it has transcended racial considerations by voting for the colored guy. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/182 "2008-12-31T22:11:39Z")
Give me half an excuse and I’ll criticise the Republicans for burnt pizza and my cat’s throwing up on the rug, but I don’t see the racism in this song. It’s ranking on the people who say Obama isn’t “black enough,” whatever that means. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/183 "2008-12-31T22:13:09Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > You have to remember that ol’ Pillhead Rushbo trotted out the ‘Halfrican American’ line a good two years ago. > > -Joe Yeah, I just remembered. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/184 "2009-01-01T02:35:56Z")
[Aside] Years ago, for reasons I never explored, the U of Minn had some kind of influx of young Nigerian men students. They began to show up at a watering hole I favored. Frequented. OK, damn near lived there… Anyway, these guys would come in, and start up some kind of Superfly karaoke, trying to act and speak like American black men. Their English was fine, but they definitely, most assuredly, did not grasp the underlying rhythms and inflections. One “What it is with your bad self” offered in a Nigerian accent would, I guarantee, render you helpless. Laugh? I thought I’d surely die. [/aside] ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/185 "2009-01-01T02:52:44Z")
It is racist. Negro is a term used back when discrimination was much stronger. It is not a harmless term used without malice. It remains however a classless and unfunny song. That part is indefensible. The politicians are fair game. Go after them if you want. But expect criticism if you botch it so badly. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/186 "2009-01-02T23:56:14Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > In fact, the only whites I know claiming that the election proves racism has been conquered have been people who have been pretending that racism has already been a non-issue for years. Yep. I’m hoping that Obama’s election might be the tipping point for some people’s expressions of racism, but that’s just a hope at this point. To the OP: I’ve gotten to the point where I honestly am wondering what the hell is going on. This is pretty much exactly how I would act if I were a sleeper inside the RNC and wanted them to look as bad as possible. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/187 "2009-01-03T00:29:09Z")
In case anyone had any thoughts about Faux News’ lack of integrity, we have this [http://thinkprogress.org/2009/01/01/fox-newyears-racist/](http://thinkprogress.org/2009/01/01/fox-newyears-racist/) > [@](#): > > HAPPY NEW YEAR AND LET’S HOPE THE MAGIC NEGRO DOES A GOOD JOB. LOVE JEN AND JOHN C. Unbelievable. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/188 "2009-01-03T00:41:00Z")
Three words for that: ri-damn-diculous. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/189 "2009-01-03T00:50:19Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Unbelievable. I’m going to pin my hopes on sabotage. ---
**Author:** ![EpiGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8c91f0/32.png) [@EpiGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpiGirl)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/190 "2009-01-03T01:54:13Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Well, yeah, I guess the people I’m really talking about are white liberals who are throwing their arms out of joint patting themselves on the back for making such a “bold step forward” or being “so proud of America”, etc. Don’t get me wrong… I feel the same, or at least similar. For me it’s more of a feeling of a relief that America did not screw up the easiest possible chance to confront its racist history. We still have miles to go before we sleep, IMO. I understand what you mean. I have come across some (yes, they are generally white liberals) who seem to think racism has disappeared, all wrongs have been righted, and racial disparities have been eliminated merely because America elected a black president. While this has been a great accomplishment for our country, there is still work to be done on the racism front and I think some people are using this as an excuse to say “Ok black people, you now have a black president so shut up about racism”. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/191 "2009-01-03T02:16:40Z")
Obama is only half black, so he only has Half Magic, right? But, what I really want to know is, _Where are all the Magical Chinese_? I’ve been trying to come up with a \*\*Magical Joo \*\*and all I can think of a very small scene in Woody Allen’s **Radio Days** when the young boy has been stealing money from the Give to (Some Jewish Fund) milk box fund raiser and the Rabbi brains the kid and then the dad tells him he can’t hit his son and starts hitting his son and the rabbi continues to hit his son. It’s a great little scene. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/192 "2009-01-03T04:51:07Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > Obama is only half black, so he only has Half Magic, right? > But, what I really want to know is, _Where are all the Magical Chinese_? Didn’t you see _East of Eden_\*? Then there’s [Kwai Chang Caine.](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0030201/) \*Not to be confused with _Exit to Eden_. Mmmm. Dana Delaney’s nipples with croissants and butter. Breakfast of champions. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/193 "2009-01-03T04:53:15Z")
> [@EpiGirl](#): > > I understand what you mean. I have come across some (yes, they are generally white liberals) who seem to think racism has disappeared, all wrongs have been righted, and racial disparities have been eliminated merely because America elected a black president. While this has been a great accomplishment for our country, there is still work to be done on the racism front and I think some people are using this as an excuse to say “Ok black people, you now have a black president so shut up about racism”. If you think it’s mainly liberals who generally think this, you should look up some exchanges between **Macgiver** (who’s not liberal) and me from last spring in Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/194 "2009-01-03T04:56:40Z")
> [@5-4-Fighting](#): > > If you think it’s mainly liberals who generally think this, you should look up some exchanges between **Macgiver** (who’s not liberal) and me from last spring in Great Debates. Yeah, I’ve seen self-congratulatory liberals (congratulations, jsgoddess, you spectacular person, you!), but very few who think there’s an end to racism anywhere in sight. ---
**Author:** ![EpiGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8c91f0/32.png) [@EpiGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpiGirl)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/195 "2009-01-03T11:15:48Z")
> [@5-4-Fighting](#): > > If you think it’s mainly liberals who generally think this, you should look up some exchanges between **Macgiver** (who’s not liberal) and me from last spring in Great Debates. I was referring to those who supported Obama or who may have been sympathetic to issues of race to begin with, who (at least stereotypically) fall to the left of the political spectrum. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/196 "2009-01-03T20:07:55Z")
> [@EpiGirl](#): > > I was referring to those who supported Obama or who may have been sympathetic to issues of race to begin with, who (at least stereotypically) fall to the left of the political spectrum. I know that, I was simply expanding on what you wrote. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/197 "2009-01-07T21:22:49Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Didn’t you see _East of Eden_\*? > > Then there’s [Kwai Chang Caine.](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0030201/) > > \*Not to be confused with _Exit to Eden_. Mmmm. Dana Delaney’s nipples with croissants and butter. Breakfast of champions. Is east of eden with Rosie o’Donnel or is that the other one? Either way, I’m still in search of a real genuine Magical Chinese. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/198 "2009-01-07T22:35:33Z")
The pet shop owner in Gremlins. Mr. Miyagi. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/199 "2009-01-08T02:30:53Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Mr. Miyagi. Mr. Miyagi was from Okinawa- now part of Japan. “Japan here. China here. Okinawa… here.” ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980/200 "2009-01-08T10:51:46Z")
Well, yes, but it’s the same archetype. Egg Shen? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-the-magic-negro/478980.md?page=11)