Barack the magic negro
Ever since Chip Saltsman, a candidate for Republican National Committee chairman, circulated a CD with a parody on it called "Barack the Magic Negro," Republicans, pundits and more Republicans have been debating whether Saltsman's move was racist, racially insensitive, dumb or just a good ole boy's idea of clean fun.
Is the song, which has a white man posing as Al Sharpton singing along to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon," racist? Is it lampooning white liberal guilt and mocking other black leaders' supposed jealousy of Obama? Honestly, who cares? Rush Limbaugh referred to or played that song a bunch of times on his show and Barack Obama still won the election. Black punditry has hardly commented on this most recent flap; they're too busy picking out inaugural outfits.
But Saltsman still deserves to be raked over the coals. Not for anything to do with Obama, per se, but for campaigning with cultural references that are decades out of date.
"Puff the Magic Dragon?" You've got to be kidding. Was he on another planet Nov. 4? Did he miss how Republicans lost 66% of the vote of people age 30 and under? Thirty-year-olds weren’t even born when Peter, Paul and Mary's hit came out in 1963. Sure Limbaugh used the parody and his crowd loved it, but the average Limbaugh listener is 51. Then there's the parody itself and the faux Sharpton. Sure the Rev. deserves the disdain and disapprobation he earned for his outrageous behavior during the Tawana Brawley hoax case, but that happened in 1987. The World Wide Web wasn't even invented then, which means young people have never heard of it. To them, Sharpton is just that black guy from New York with the funny hair.
It's a given that Republicans are done trying to appeal to black voters, but are they really ready to give up everyone else who isn't white? Because if not, here's the thing: it’s not much of a stretch for Latinos and Asians -- who also voted overwhelmingly for Obama -- to imagine how a president-elect of their ethnicity also could be the target of such lighthearted Republican fun. "Mike the Magic Jap” and “Maria the Magic Mexican” probably wouldn't go over that well either.
It just goes to show that spanking is ineffective discipline. If it worked Saltsman would have learned from the party's its electoral walloping last month. By 365 to 175 electoral votes, Americans demonstrated that they want political leaders who are in tune with the themes of the current day, not the Billboard hits of 1960s.
UPDATE: An astute reader pointed out that Obama won by a larger electoral-vote margin than our post claimed. The correct total was 365 to 173.
Los Angeles Times photo
Heck it! Let the Repugs hurt themseleves. Let them dig a hole for which it would take decades for them to get out of. Let them! Let them! Let them!
Posted by: Gerald Shields | December 29, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Just dumb.
Posted by: reader | December 29, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Does it matter that, as usual, you failed to mention the LA Times coined the phrase Magic Negro? Hypocrites? Amazing. Really amazing. In fact, utterly pathetic.
As to appealing to blacks, explain. How do blacks need to be appealed to? You mean pandered don't you? I am totally fed up with this division crap. Your either a American or you not. Get over it.
Unless your willing to tell the entire story I suggest he how is without sin cast the first stone!
Posted by: DaveT | December 29, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Just looked up the Tawana Brawley case, and if I can only imagine Sharpton's role even if supported the false allegations of another at an unjustified level, I can only imagine it being sanctioned.
Posted by: Tyler Ellis | December 29, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Welcome to the GOP... lately (since 1998) they have been nothing but a bunch of 'Jesus freaks', rednecks, and rich old farts. It's no small wonder why I left the Republican Party 10 years ago. What a bunch of pathetic losers.
Posted by: Pete Psikogios | December 29, 2008 at 06:00 PM
I believe you missed that some of the other songs on this inclusive recording already refer to other ethnic and cultural groups. Something about Spanglish, for example. So we have an equal opportunity offender.
Posted by: Writing from Alaska | December 29, 2008 at 06:00 PM
"...it’s not much of a stretch for Latinos and Asians -- who also voted overwhelmingly for Obama -- to imagine how a president-elect of their ethnicity also could be the target of such lighthearted Republican fun. "Mike the Magic Jap” and “Maria the Magic Mexican” probably wouldn't go over that well either."
Listen to the whole CD: they've already got "The Star Spanglish Banner"...
The more those "good ol' boys" shove their too Right feet down their own fat throats, the better I feel.
Bring on 2010!
Posted by: Lou | December 29, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Good read.
To Gerald - even though I am left leaning and have voted democrat more often than republican (I am not registered as either in FLA), I do not like the idea of the republicans becoming an after thought. That opens up a one-party situation that will lead to serious abuses.
Trouble is, the republicans seem to be doing everything they need to be doing to ensure that they fade towards irrelevance.
Posted by: tampa ed | December 29, 2008 at 06:05 PM
I say let the Republicans be Republicans, just in case there's anyone out there who aren't completely clear about who and what they are - a cult of bigots and religious fanatics led by a contingent of super rich people who have always found it convenient to their interests to promote this sort of thing. Hopefully that marriage of convenience will no longer be tenable. Let the Republicans be Republicans.
Posted by: Dolmance | December 29, 2008 at 06:14 PM
This song is a disgrace and again demonstrates that this country is a joke with regard to non-white people. My daughter is half black and I have every intention of raising her in Canada once she gets to the age of school. I have always felt that this country simply hates anyone that is not white. Being white I hear this kind of crap every day. Few people know that my wife is in fact black.
This is another point that has pissed me off since I came to this country. There is only one race, the human race. Proven when I had a child with my black wife . We are all one species with different skin colour or one species. Try getting it right; there is no race issue. There is a HATE issue. This country hates anyone that is not white.
I had hope when this country elected Mr. Obama. I actually felt that my children may get a chance in this country. we will see.
But this BS song and the way the republican party distributes it tells me that nothing is changed.
The republican party is like the NAZI party. They believe if you continue to repeat a lie enough times it will become truth. Given that my family ran from the Nazi out of Austria to Canada this kind of familiar behaviour regarding hate literature is near and dear to my heart.
Same on all those that feel we are too sensitive.
Perhaps we were too sensitive to the persecutions previously?
Posted by: David | December 29, 2008 at 06:14 PM
My name is Chip Saltsman
Vote for me for the RNC
I have a song inside my head
Where my brain used to be
Satire by James Flannery, 2008
please distribute freely
Posted by: James Flannery | December 29, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Republicans = Dixiecrats + Dummies
Posted by: anabel cardenas | December 29, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Imagine a DNC nominee had sent a song around called Jesus the Magical Homosexual, or Sarah the Magic B*tch. Or even Rush the Magic Fat Drug Addict. Or even John The Magic Caucasian. The Repubs would be in an UPROAR like you couldn't imagine.
This just shows how out of touch many in the party is.
Posted by: Mark Belkin | December 29, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Hey, the GOP is a racist party. Call 'em like you see 'em, and be done.
But really, it's not the party: it's the so called Americans who tolerate that stuff.
Posted by: gberke | December 29, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Racism has got to go. Here in Lake Isabella, CA, the "N" word is being thrown around all the time in reference to Obama. It makes me sick. He is bringing us hope for a better future and I pray he doesn't let us down.
Lake Isabella (as with Mono and Inyo Counties) is a very conservative, republican area. It's horrible.
Posted by: Terry Day | December 29, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Was it wrong for Saltsman to distribute the CD? Probably. Is it a racist song? Hardly not.
The author of the song simply said what so many others were afraid to say. Sharpton, Jackson and the lot are supposed to be helping the black community, but in truth, they keep managing to knock it back a step or two each time they open their big mouths. Obama is a candidate that a majority of the people could relate to, and made the voters feel safe. This fact was made painstakingly obvious this past election.
It is now time for the Haters to step off... And stay off. Permanently.
God Bless America.
Posted by: BrianK | December 29, 2008 at 06:16 PM
You write: "are they really ready to give up everyone else who isn't white?"
STOP
What is this business of implying such bigotry is acceptable to whites?
It is long past time to tolerate the structural racism that says whites are not outraged and hurt by anti-black, anti-ethnic, anti-minority statements. A discussion of bigotry as bad politics for pulling in minority votes not only misses the point but continues the problem.
Bigotry is obscene to ALL of us, and bigotry violates the decency of ALL of us. If we deal with this last insult as if it were only practical politics, we demean ourselves.
I am an old white man and my view is that of all of my friends, whatever their colors: STOP ACCEPTING SUPPOSEDLY "POLITE BIGOTRY."
Posted by: wp | December 29, 2008 at 06:23 PM
If it quacks like a duck . . .
Posted by: Don Wood | December 29, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Honestly if the republicans don't figure out that their a minority and that they are not going to be able to scare, harass, and abuse minorities into voting for them, this is going to be a hilarious next few election cycles. Do these southern raised social retards not understand that this is exactly the stuff that alienates the majorities that they need to win elections. it is the equivalent of of some cracker deciding the best way to make black friends is to start dropping the Nbomb. The RNC would get a better response and probably more votes if did a complete 360 and started claiming that the white elite liberal where trying to take over the world by keeping all the minorities on welfare.
Posted by: HAHAREPUG's | December 29, 2008 at 06:37 PM
"By 365 to 175 electoral votes, Americans demonstrated..."
Yes, now you eagerly cite the Electoral College vote. Funny how it wasn't all that relevant in 2000, when Al Gore "really" won the election because he got more of the popular vote.
The EC vote was kinda relevant in 2004, though. I recall several pundits pointing out that Bush's overwhelming popular-vote victory couldn't by any means be considered a mandate. Why, a mere 60,000 popular-vote difference in Ohio would have thrown the election to Kerry!
And while we know with certainty who stole Florida in 2000, the true unanswered question from the 2000 election is: WHO STOLE TENNESSEE?
Posted by: Owen Glendower | December 29, 2008 at 06:37 PM
The Democrats are racist - the Reverend jeremiah Wright, Obama and jesse Jackson knows it, and you know it.
Republicans need to understand that this is a political war. The libs in America crave power like vampires crave blood. They are evel and have the media in their pocket.
Republicans need to get just as mean as the Dimoctats in power, and meaner!!!
This puff thing ain't no thing at all.
Posted by: Larry | December 29, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Everytime I start to feel a little genuine hope in the thought that we are finally becoming (as a nation) what God wanted us to be-someone like Chip Saltsman comes along and chips away at my faith.
Posted by: S. Carn | December 29, 2008 at 06:38 PM
The LA Times coined the phrase Magic Negro in relation to Obama, here is the link.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,5335087.story?coll=la-opinion-center
Hypocrites for sure
Posted by: George | December 29, 2008 at 06:38 PM
When bozos like Saltsman look at an issue and immediately pick out the racial part of it I think that's racist. It makes perfect sense that this was part of Rush Limbaugh's schtick. Remember his pathetc run as a football 'analyst'? He looked at Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles and immediately saw racial favoritism. The Eagles were 'carrying' McNabb because he was black.
This 'parody' is perfect for all the losers who sit alone in their cars listening to Rush and his buddies split hairs and tell lies.
Posted by: nuc | December 29, 2008 at 06:39 PM
DaveT Righto! Thank you for pointing out that it was this very newspaper that first refered to Barack as the "Magic Negro." To be exact, it was the March 19, 2007 edition of the LA times. In this very column in fact!
Posted by: Tom P | December 29, 2008 at 06:39 PM
How dare someone make fun of the messiah!!!
Forget freedom of speech! Execute all who spread dirt on the messiahs name!
What happened to free speech? Let the fools be heard... from left and right.
If it truly is racist, then it'll be seen that way, it doesn't have to be muted.
Ever notice how the left want to keep the poor dependant on the government aid rather than independant and self-providing?
Posted by: KD | December 29, 2008 at 06:39 PM
If I may, I'd like to add something I feel important to bring out: When Barack won the election, some of the most noteable news quotes from many black Americans were those saying "...I never would have believed so many whites were not as racist as I had always believed." What struck me, was that I (a young American) have NEVER in my life participated in, condoned, joked, etc. about ANY ethnicity, religion, etc. yet I felt I had been "lumped in" with some of the insignificant few, and I believe VERY few, who are racist, without respect of color (white racists, black racists, latino, etc.). Now, while I am a proud conservative, I ask only that you don't continue to perpertuate that kind of inclusion where I, as a registered Republican, am being lumped in again with some of the few, and I honestly believe VERY few, of the group who may think the song was somehow funny, or even worse, racist. I personally am disappointed in the news of the CD's release, but that's all it's worth of my time; I refuse to dwell on such an insignificant few. I can't disagree that there are those in my party who I'd rather were not, but I also believe that each of us could say the same of EVERY group of any kind. There's always a few bad apples that somehow spoil the bunch, and I'd rather that we as a society could somehow standup and step over those insignificant few, giving no regard whatsoever to those who represent such a minority. PS: I voted for Clinton during his run, again because I hold my own views but happen to be registered republican as I'm far more conservative than liberal (not as if that should even matter; it's just my voice; my American voice)
Posted by: AmericanAndMostlyProud | December 29, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Yeah, it was a dumb parody. And yeah, the Republican party has become ridiculous, with the undue influence from the bible-thumping nuts on the far right. (Likewise, the Democratic party has become ridiculous, with the undue influence from the radical Marxist-socialist nuts on the far left.)
But what is even more dumb is for the author to dismiss older voters, as if life stops after the age of fifty. Let's see, many or maybe most people these days live to about 81, and they can start voting at age 21. So that's a span of sixty years, putting the 51-year-old voters right smack in the middle of the age spread.
But everyone is supposed to be more concerned with voters under 30 than voters over 40? Why? Presumably there are a lot more potential voters in the age bracket of 40 to 80, than in the 9-year span from age 21 to 30. In fact, with zero population increase, there would be over four times as many.
The only reason there are disproportionately larger numbers of younger voters is because of rampant human population growth. And that is also the root cause of almost all environmental crises. If we truly want to protect this planet, we will get serious about reducing the number of humans on Earth, slowly over time, back to a total world population of about one billion.
And when we move into the era of negative population growth (i.e., a birthrate low enough to sustain a continuing reduction of the number of humans), then there will be proportionately fewer young people, and many more older people. Since people generally grow wiser over time, that would also be a good thing.
Posted by: Dee | December 29, 2008 at 07:37 PM
I think it would be appropriate for comments from the Times to state that it was a Times Op Ed piece last February that first referred to Obama as the son of a magic Negro and Al Sharpton as someone who resented him as not black enough.
Posted by: Jeff Bruce | December 29, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Rush commisioned the song after an la times columnist called Obama a magic negro. Magic negro was coined in the la times.
Posted by: Clay\ | December 29, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Racist, racially insensitive..?
Regardless, the guy isn't very bright for someone hoping to represent a major political party on a national platform.
Despite the term's origin, the guy should've known that the use of that term is flippant and condescending. Even as a (tasteless) joke, this is not going to look good coming from a white, southern conservative. Deservedly or not, this is the reality of the situation.
If his judgement is that poor, his party should seriously be calling into question his viability as a legitamate canidate for Party Chair.
For a party already associated with racial insensitivity and lacking minority support, this just reaffirms popular perception among the greater public. Ultimately, these shortcomings will continue to cost the Republican party elections in a coming age when the causasion American will soon be in the minority against a backdrop of growing hispanic and black populations.
Really, all of this is indicative a of party in dissaray and out of touch with the direction society, and the world-at-large, is heading.
Posted by: Matthew Dickson | December 29, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Jeez I remember when Bush beat Kerry everyone said the Democratic party is done. Four years later the Republican party is done. You must realize that whoever is in office at the time and if they are screwing up the economy, people will vote them out and vote in another. The biggest reason Obama got in was the market crashed, bad timing for McCain good for Obama.
Posted by: Joe | December 29, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Rush Limbaugh is a goofball, you don't want to quote him on data.
Stats quoted on RL's page don't say that average age of his audience is 51. Rather the claim is that 51% of his audience is over 50.
Posted by: IDG | December 29, 2008 at 08:31 PM
While the LA Times may have been the first to use the phrase to refer to Obama specifically, the phrase "Magic Negro" or "Magical Negro" goes back a lot further, and has been popularized by such folks as Spike Lee.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Negro
Credit where credit is due.
Posted by: Dan | December 29, 2008 at 08:32 PM
the fact that "magic negro" was first used first in latimes to refer to Obama doesnt mean the term is not racist in Saltsmans' song. It only means he might have got the idea from the la times to make a racist song.
Posted by: james | December 29, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Rush commisioned the song after an la times columnist called Obama a magic negro. Magic negro was coined in the la times.
Posted by: Clay\ | December 29, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Let's face it. This country is racist, and white people contuniously prepetuate racism. This country will eventually perish because of hate.,
Posted by: Tara | December 29, 2008 at 08:32 PM
1st of all, its retarded highschool-ish articles like this that are the reason no one buys LA Times news papers anymore ... they are losing HUGE market share .. because all they write about is their own opinionated crap and never the news.
2nd, Its so "funny" how when a white man makes fun of the amazing brainwashing tricks Obama pulled on Americans, and puts it in a song parody ..of a song that would appeal to his generation (the generation that knows better), how is your only argument "racism". So stupid. I hear worse things from blacks and Hispanics on every public school and college campus in America. Get over it. Stop perpetuating the lies that its all about the oppressive white man... because when you say that, you are also saying that minorities are small, dumb and pathetic .. and neither are true .. looks like YOU are the racists bigot now.
Let the Repub appeal to anyone who wants to listen. Its no surprise that Barack Obama truly IS the Magic Negro .. he's done an amazing thing that no one thought possible and, based on his track record, experience, and policy, should have never won. ... its truly amazing what 20yrs of Public School brainwashing of youth, and constant liberal media programming will do to dumb-down-America... its truly MAGICAL!
Congrats.... Its no wonder they wanted 30 million illegal Mexicans to freely vote in our American election ... without them and ACORN, it would be impossible! .. yet another magical trick! wow, truly Amazing.
on another note, how does it not just bug the crap out of you to hear them use the example of the slaves building the steps of the White House and how that's so significant... What kind of BS is that? He's not the descendant of slaves .. not even CLOSE! .. Much less how can you use the assumption that slaves actually built those steps? Prove it? ... slaves were mostly in the south at that time anyway and the white house is WAY north (VA). can you say "stretching to make a story"? lame, sad & pathetic. Plese stick to the facts is you can figure them out anymore.
Sincerely, a True Black American Patriot. (me)
Posted by: matt | December 29, 2008 at 08:34 PM
I joke about white people; I joke about black people. I am caucasian/native american. My neighborhood is 80% African American. I spend my time between law school and ACORN, and I am a staunch conservative. This event is clearly in bad taste. If a black person passed it out, it wouldn't matter. Perception is key, and they should have known that. I don't have a racist bone in my body, and I have no problem poking fun at any race. (There are certain words I don't like to hear though) Many white people act holier than thou due to their lack of racism, and constantly reaffirm their awesomeness with repetition. Who are they trying to convince? This lip service and BS guilt is insulting, condescending and perpetuates bigotry. Treat people like people; treating black people different than white people=racism.
Posted by: Slbowman | December 29, 2008 at 08:34 PM
REPUBLICANS, (WHITES) KNOW THEY ARE LOSING POWER. THIS IS WHY THEY DISTRIBUTE THIS KIND OF MATERIAL, AND THROW THE "N" WORD AROUND. AND THESE ARE ALSO SOME OF THE REASONS WHY I'M NOT UPSET WITH THEM. CHANGE IS A COMING
JP
Posted by: JOHN PETERKIN | December 29, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Blah blah blah. Have you noticed it's always the non-whites that bring up the racism issue? It's like if they hadn't mentioned it... it wouldn't be an issue. HINT HINT: it's all in your heads. Racism? Please, ask any highschooler what they think of a black person, or a mexican person. They'll most likely say: "What about it? they're people too". Get over yourselves, this 'racism' is imaginary and yet again we're making a big deal over some stupid song.
Posted by: yourmom | December 29, 2008 at 08:36 PM
From where we sit outside US, isn't about time the GOP carefully looked at itself in the mirror - in 8 short years they've wrecked any international respect US had carefully clawed back, stuffed the US economy, stuffed the world economy, wrecked the Middle East and when finally the little people kick them out of the White House, Congress, and the Senate they come up with this nonsense.
Grow up.
Posted by: AG Musgrove | December 29, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Who cares I would really like to hear the song sorry I missed it. Whether Obama is black, green, yellow, white or brown he better deliver on what he promised or close to it because if he doesn't in 4 years time he will be out and the Democratic Party will be very divided leaving the door open for someone like Jeb Bush to seize the day.
Posted by: Sideswiped | December 29, 2008 at 08:37 PM
I'm hoping the Republican party implodes, and the Libertarians take their place.
Posted by: Jack | December 29, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Liberals sure don't have much of a sense of humor. The song in question pokes fun at Al Sharpton and the LA Times, not President-elect Obama. If you haven't heard the song, con't get all wound up in the political correct response.
Posted by: Vermont | December 29, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Sadder than the obtuse and fairly meaningless Obama reference is the disrespect shown by Republicans for dreams of childhood. Puff the Magic Dragon was one of my favorite songs as a kid, and Peter Paul and Mary gave me many hours of great musical joy. Why do social conservatives feel priveleged to demean folk music in general by trying to associate in the narrow minds of their followers with hippies and free thinkers. God forbid that we should have an American art form with some genuine messages about truth, love, hope and respect, and in the case of Puff, about dreams that die with childhood. How cynical and cold of the right. Obama's dream for our country, which I share, has become a reality. The same crowd that disparages this dream contains the people, my co-workers among them, who say "its only a matter of time before he gets shot".
Are Saltsman and his crowd so intolerant and dumb that he has no respect for art, passion and childhood fantasy? Is this how grown-ups behave? Hold on to tight your dreams, Republicans!
Posted by: aurum79 | December 29, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Hey Liberals!!! Quit trying to dictate who the GOP chooses to lead our party.... Maybe we like our leaders a little crazy. Sorta Like HOWARD DEAN!
Posted by: Tex | December 29, 2008 at 08:38 PM
I don't know if the song is "racist" but it is definitely racially insensitive. I do find your statement about the black punditry a bit off-putting (they haven't commented on the issue because they are too busy "picking out their inaugural outfits"). So the black people are shopping because you know we like to look good for a party!
As an African American and most importantly, I look forward to the day when people can live and work and love and play and not be boxed in by stereotypes and ignorance. It seems that the Republican party leadership and many of its core members are not ready for that....but we shouldn't let them hold us up. Let's give them some examples to aspire to...and maybe they will come along. If not, then they can stay in their pockets and be alone in their ignorance.
Posted by: KCJ | December 29, 2008 at 08:39 PM
please let the republicans keep on doing what they are doing. This way, the republicans will never be in power again. thank god. and for the morons saying the song was appropriate because a newspaper used the term 'magic nergro', but didn't make a racist song out of it, are too stupid to be relevant.
Posted by: rush scumbaugh | December 29, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You're hatin on Al Sharpton's hair?
Posted by: Ule | December 29, 2008 at 08:39 PM