Jan 2, 2009
Video Test: Barack the Magic Negro
Categories: African-American, Politics and Elections
Written By: Shawn Williams
I know satire when I see it. The New Yorker cover was satire that went awry. Bamboozled is one of my favorite films that a lot of people do get or don’t like. This Magic Negro stuff is totally bigoted and is far from the true meaning of the “Magic Negro” theory. (Think Bagger Vance or Green Mile).
There’s no doubt Limbaugh is getting a pass on this, but he’s got is audience and this is what they like. It’s those who silently accept it that are truly a shame.
January 4th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Bamboozled is one of my favorite films, both from a technical and storytelling perspective. I totally get (and agree with) the satire, and yet I’m still uncomfortable watching the minstrel show and knowing that I’m not supposed to like it (according to society), but Tommy and Savion are both too damned talented to not like it.
I still disagree in that I believe that a significant factor in Obama’s election was that there was a large part of the population, black and white, who were looking for a “good enough” black man to tick off the “black president” box on the “Racial Healing Checklist”.
Bamboozled is a perfect example of what is wrong with the Magic Negro song though — where Bamboozled succeeds is that it is entertaining, which this schlock wasn’t. Failing to entertain is the true mortal sin.
January 4th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Phelps, who would have imagined that after all these many months, Bamboozled would be the thing we agree on. I have sneaking suspicion that our movie tastes probably intersect in a great many places.
When my wife and I went to see Bamboozled in the theater, people got up and walked out. It’s the best movie that nobody has ever seen. And your point about satire being entertaining is the key. Thanks for sharing.