There was a CNN blog post about Chip Saltzman and the Paul Shanklin parody song, 'Barack the Magic Negro'. For some reason this is now an issue when the song came out nearly two years ago. It came from an LA Times column which was questioning whether Barack Obama was 'black enough'. The song is sung by Shanklin, as Al Sharpton, and it is taking the angle of Sharpton claiming that Obama isn't 'black enough'. If we get off the PC train, and take all of these things into account, the song is pretty funny. Here is the contents of my CNN comment which will very likely not be posted there:
"The Democrats need to come off their high horse and realized that the Democrat party is the party with racism issues. The Republican Party was founded as an abolition party. The Republican Party had the the first delegate cast a ballot for a black man, Frederick Douglass. The Republican party got civil rights passed, since a majority of Dems voted against civil rights. The Dems are the party with a sitting Senator who is a former member (not likely reformed) of the KKK.
Conservatives believe all men (and women) are created equal and it is our actions that separate us. Liberals want to force equality on everyone.
The song "Barack the Magic Negro" was taken from an LA Times column and is clearly satirical. The libs need to come off of their high horse and get over themselves. It was not a diss aimed at Obama anyway, it was a diss aimed at the irreverent Al Sharpton and the other 'race hustlers'.
"There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs — partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do do not want to lose their jobs. "
Booker T. Washington"
38 comments:
Interesting points, Nestor. I heard Rush play it a few times. Probably closer to a few hundered, but I don't listen that much. I do have to admit, satire or not, the song made me cringe. (And dive toward the setting buttons on my radio if the kids were in back.)
Well kids have ways of picking out the part that their not supposed to get, or the bad behavior that is obviously bad to adults, but kids pick it up, so I understand about changing the radio. I sometimes have to do that if my kids are in the car and Savage is on. I just think this whole situation is really showing the Democrats out to be the hypocrites they are on race. They love to pull the splinter out of the GOP's eye, when they have a plank in their own.
I too have heard this song and think it's very funny. People should lighten up.
Alright, since my visceral reaction to this song was one of distaste, I decided to examine my feelings further. I didn't think I needed to lighten up, as I'm not that sensitive when it comes to comedy. I'm not easily offended by language or subject matter. So this is what I came up with..
1. I'm sick of hearing about race. And racial humor doesn't especially humor me.
2. It's not a great parody. The comedy part didn't override the fact that it's a parody about race. ("...real black men..like Snoop Dog" was the funniest line I thought.)
3. The word "negro" bothers me. It offends a lot of people due to its origin and original application. Therefore, it's more difficult for me to find humor in using it. I googled the origin, and found this:
In his seminal opus titled 'The Name "Negro": Its Origin and Evil Use' (1972), Richard B. Moore documents that, "...it was in the development of this infamous, iniquitous and inhuman slave traffic that the term 'Negro' was foisted as a noun, as a designation, as a name, upon those who were unfortunate enough to be caught in the clutches of the (European) slave traders. This is the origin of the term 'Negro.' Its origin is vile and infamous. It began in indignity. It began in immorality and the consciousness and dignity of man must now rise and dispense with it forever."(p.37).
Granted, this is just one guy, but the country pretty much stopped using that word a while ago for a reason.
So that's it. You can't say I didn't think it through.
Richard Benjamin Moore (born August 9, 1893-1978) was an African Caribbean civil rights activist and prominent communist.
That's from Wiki. And considerin he published articles in a periodical called "Negro Champion" I think you might wanta reference someone else.
So you're sayin there's been no issue with that word? Maybe it's just me then.
I don't need to reference someone else, I think you get the point.
Yes, you must reference. I think you should think this through alittle more ;)
Ok, don't know that I've ever used the word "negro". I know I've said "black dude", "that guy" and/or "him" tho.
Booker T. Washington used the word. LA Times columnist David Ehrenstein used the word and the word, at this point is not that bad. I understand people have problems with that word and that's fine. Since I've moved to the south, I've become much more careful about how I speak about race when it comes to blacks, or any word that could be construed as offensive. I commonly used the other N word growing up. If you lived in the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT) in the 90's, or today even, I'm sure, and you were black or hispanic, you probably used that word...a lot. I don't use it very often anymore, but there is no foul intent when I use it or have used it...ever. It was definitely said ending in 'a' and not 'er', and it could be used interchangably with dude, or cat. Also it was used irregardless of race.
With that said, the word, negro, is not seen with the same connotations as the 'other' n word. Going back to the point of my post, Paul Shanklin was doing a parody song which dissed the 'race hustler', Al Sharpton, and those of his ilk, for their utter disdain of Barack Obama. You see, Obama didn't 'put in work' for civil rights. He isn't even 'African-American', (a term I don't care for, more on that later) he's just plain African, and a half-breed at that. Now, for most Americans race isn't an issue. This election showed that. A black man with no experience was elected president. That shows that race isn't an issue anymore. What is an issue is the 'race hustlers', Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, etc. who use race as a wedge issue to try to divide this nation, keep minorites poor, and keep themselves rich. That's what the song was about. Obama hadn't 'paid his dues' in the eyes of the 'race hustlers' and they were teed off about it.
If this came off as rambling, my bad. I was typing it in between phone calls and cooking dinner.
One more thing I meant to put in the last comment, but forgot when I got sidetracked:
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We're not there yet Dr. King, we should be, and we're almost there, but people like the irreverents Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton keep holding minorities back, and keep making race an issue when it is not for most Americans.
Linda, well said.
Reck -
> That's from Wiki.
So you believe everything *ANYBODY* says on the "internets"????
Reck -
> I ... think it's very funny
What planet do you live *IN*????
Nestor -
> ... but people like the irreverents Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton keep holding minorities back, and keep making race an issue when it is not for most Americans.
I think what's holding minorities (and majorities) back is idiots that write parody tunes titled "Barack The Magic Negro" thinking it's humor (when it's really racism in disguise.)
Stan, (if and)when the day comes that you hold that same view "when it's really racism in disguise" concernin the Isrealis and the constant threats they face from the Arabs and the UN; then, and only then will I believe that you stand against racism on principle. Until then you're just another race *HUSTLER*
Stan,
I can't believe I didn't see it before. Paul Shanklin is the greatest problem to race relations in America. Wow, stunning insight.
But perhaps, it could be people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson who tell blacks and hispanics that the evil, rich white men in America are holding them back. They tell America's minorities that there is so much injustice and the system is set against them so that there's no hope for success unless you can rap, shoot a basketball or hit the lotto.
The fact is, a song that makes fun of Al Sharpton is not the problem with race relations. Minorities being told over and over that they can't make it without dumb luck or government intervention is the problem. The Democrats want to create a forever constituency of the poor and ignorant, and keep them that way. If people are told, "Hey, if you work hard, save, and really let the free market system work for you, you can move up", many people will move from being poor to middle class. If they keep working at it, they could move into the upper class, if that's what they want. Hard work, determination, and learning from mistakes and failures is what makes people successful in America. Teaching them that 'The White Man' is holding them back, and teaching them to rely on the government will lead to generation after generation of ignorance, which is what these, 'race hustlers' want. Al Sharpton, doesn't want minorities to lose their grievances, because he doesn't want to lose his job, but minorities need to tell him to shut up and go to monster.com and find a new job, because people like him are destroying minorities and the inner cities of America.
Nestor -
> a song that makes fun of Al Sharpton
Dud, Sharpton isn't the "magic negro".
Reck, "straw man". Attack the real me, you're missing your target as per usual.
So Nestor. Y on Earth do you have "Bleck" (tm) as a "news link" on your blogroll????
Hmm, Paul Shanklin. I'm remembering that name now. He's the "White Limbaugh's" (tm) ling-time parody artist. From my recollection, he (along with Rush) was always a racist, and neither were ever funny.
And they always tried to hide their racism by claiming it's humor. It's both's M.O.
Stan,
Why don't you listen to the song, and pay attention to the words before you decide who the song is making fun of? You liberals have not listened to the song, and that's why you think it is attacking Obama. It is 'Al Sharpton' attacking Obama (using his trusty bullhorn) which is why it's funny. There was a lot of talk in '07, back when Hillary was the inevitable 'next president' that Obama wasn't 'black enough' to speak up for blacks in America. He didn't have street cred like Sharpton, Jackson and Farrakhan. If you want more clarification of this the 'civil rights' activists were either supporting Hillary or they were on the fence. They should have jumped at Obama, but they didn't think he was 'black enough' to support.
"I'd like to cut his [Obama] n*ts off."
-Jesse Jackson
Nestor, Jessie Jackson isn't the "magic negro" either.
I mean, look at the title of the parody.
Stan, you could also place some blame on the LA Times columnist David Eherenstein. I think I know why he hasn't gotten any heat though, he's a 'good' liberal, above reproach. It's those nasty, evil conservatives who are all racists.
Republicans BAAAAHHHHDDD!
Democrats GOOOOOODDDD!
Listen to the song Stan.
I heard it two years ago, Nestor. Send me a link and I'll listen to it again, you racist apologist.
http://www.spike.com/video/barack-magic-negro/2853503?cid=YSSP
Stan *WHINES* "What planet do you live *IN*????"
You're missing your target as per usual. Try some glasses so you can *SEE* the Truth!!!
So Reck and Nestor. Do you really think Rush and Paul will ever admit that they're racists????
Reck, asking what planet you live in isn't a "whine", it's "reductio ad absurdum". What is it with you right-wing extremists that you don't even believe in "English only"????
Stan, you're the parody, imho.
Nestor -
> http://www.spike.com/video/barack-magic-negro/2853503?cid=YSSP
LIke I recall. It's not only making fun of Barack, it's making fun of all blacks. It's totally racist, IMHO.
Nestor, please post a Shanklin parody that makes fun of a white male Republican't.
Reck -
> Stan, you're the parody, imho.
Dud, isn't your "blog too" a parody of your Townhall blog????
;-)
Stan,
Your Limbaugh parody is projection, imho.
Dud, I've never taken an Oxi-Contin in my life.
You should give it a try ;)
Dud, the last person *I* want to be like, is Rush Limbaugh.
I think I found a copy of another of my old parody songs of which I wrote, here'tis -
+- +- +- +-
'50 Ways To Beat An Iraqi' - Stan and the Sequencers
parody of 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon
The problem is all inside Iraq Bush said to me
The answer is easy if you take it logically
I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free
There must be fifty ways to beat an Iraqi
Bush said it's really not my habit to intrude
He was lying of course whilst Rush was downing 'ludes
But Bush repeated himself whilst being crude
There must be fifty ways to beat an Iraqi
Fifty ways to beat an Iraqi
Shove a broom up the back, Jack
Make a new pyrimid, clan
Don't need to be a boy, oye
Just incriminate thee
Hop on the triangle, Dud
You don't need to urinate much
Just drop off that load, GEEEIIIIII
And pretend that your free
She said it glees me so to see you in such pain
I wish there was something I could do to make you puke again
I said I appreciate that and would you please explain
About the fifty ways
She said why don't we both just piss on it tonight
And I believe in the moaning you'll begin to see the right
And then she kicked me and I realized she was probably a Shite
There must be fifty ways to beat an Iraqi
Fifty ways to beat an Iraqi
Just strip off the clothes, Joe
Make a new prison, plan
You don't need to record it, Roy
Just get yourself greed
Hop on the guts, Just
Don't discuss much
Just drop off the body, greed
And call yourself free
+- +- +- +-
President Bush, "go f*** yourself".
Sincerely,
Stan Rosenthal
Houston, Texas
Post a Comment