The Nation: Rush's "Magic Negro" Routine

[DeepModem Mom]

Rush's "Magic Negro" Routine
Adam Howard

Rush Limbaugh has obviously learned nothing from the outrage and anger unleashed by Don Imus' unfortunate "nappy headed ho's" remark. Never one to shy away from unfunny "humor", Limbaugh recently played a song parody on his radio show in which an Al Sharpton impersonator (played with stereotypical gusto) sings a song filled with idiotic assumptions about black people and dripping with ignorance called "Barack the Magic Negro".

Perhaps this kind of garbage (set to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon") is someone's cup of tea. Limbaugh does have millions of listeners and they do adore of much of what the man says. Whether he's lampooning former President Clinton's daughter or suggesting Michael J. Fox is exaggerating the effects of his Parkinson's disease. So I don't expect his listeners to desert him over this. What does surprise me is that Vice President Dick Cheney among other major conservatives is still a regular guest on Limbaugh's show and I don't anticipate the kind of repudiations that Don Imus received over his transgression from him or anyone else on the right with regards to Limbaugh.

It is true that Imus was chided because he was on a national cable news network and was perhaps less associated with being a provocateur than Limbaugh. But I still think Cheney and his ilk should refuse to appear on Limbaugh's show from now on. I wonder, will there be any outcry? Are people becoming so desensitized to this now that they just don't care about the inevitable phony apology and/or Al Sharpton protest. I'd like to see calls for Limbaugh's removal not just from the black community but from the supporters of the president and vice-president who are not racist, who don't find "jokes" like "Barack The Magic Negro" funny.

But this will never, ever happen. Limbaugh's entire career and success is based on being petty and juvenile, so one more stupid act will most likely change nothing. Personally, I'm just disheartened that so soon after the Imus controversy came and went the so-called shock jocks and right wing nuts went right back to business as usual, didn't blink an eye and continued to use racism to insult and humiliate.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?pid=189860

[EstimatedProphet]

1. No, his listeners won't desert him

The genetic flubs that listen to Limbaugh WANT him to do things like this. They're racist uneducated dumbasses.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

2. Scratch the surface of the typical Republican and you get a racist

They use code words and dog whistles to appeal to insecure white people. Occasionally they just come right out and say it. I don't understand why this surprises anyone.

[daa]

4. Right you are

Here in Georgia in the last election a white guy was behind so he printed up brochures, not with his picture, but with the picture of his black female opponent. it worked, he won.

Since repugs control the government here they have reduced the hope scholarship by 30% (mostly minorities), kicked 10s of thousand of children off of Peachcare (again mostly minorities), introduced a bill to define life as when a sperm meets an egg, and of course, if you are brown (Mexican), get out of town.

[atreides1]

3. You're Right

His listeners won't desert him and Premiere Radio, which is owned by Clear Channel has nothing to fear, especially from Al Sharpton!

[Zywiec]

5. Here's where this all started

Obama the 'Magic Negro'
The Illinois senator lends himself to white America's idealized, less-than-real black man.
By David Ehrenstein, L.A.-based DAVID EHRENSTEIN writes about Hollywood and politics.
March 19, 2007


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 .


http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,5335087.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail

[Zywiec]

6. Dupe

[BuyingThyme]

7. Garbage? Petty? Juvenile? Stupid?

I don't think the author gets it.

This is the kind of thing I see on PBS documentaries, when they look back at the Klan via old black and white footage. It's the kind of thing that gives you a sick adrenaline burst as you say to yourself, "My god, this is what my country used to be?" But this is Limbaugh, and it's right now.

Maybe somebody should do a documentary.

[shenmue]

8. Wow, what an a@#hole

What a scumbag.

I have only one thing to say to him.

Ni!!!

:grr:

[tomreedtoon]

9. Black people don't care about Limbaugh.

They already know he's a racist, and that most of the white community supports him. So why protest?

Now, I know that you will loudly proclaim that "not all" the white community supports him. But not a lot of people are making any noise about Limbaugh. So yes, in the minds of black people, we all support him.

Not even rappers, whose songs complain about everything from brutal cops to hangnails, can get up the energy to say anything about Limbuaugh. (I would be delighted to be proved wrong about this; if you know of any rappers of any race that have done anti-Limbaugh stuff, let us all know, okay?)

[melody]

10. I disagree

I think much of the white community abandoned bitching about Limbaugh a long time ago since we know it will do nothing to help matters. The majority of people I know detest the man. I used to be a regular participant in "contacting the media" about Limbaugh. Nothing worked.