snood wrote:I first heard the term "magic negro" right after The Green Mile came out, in reference to Michael Clark Duncan's ever-forgiving, nauseatingly uplifting role. I happen to think there's something to the belief that the "magic negro" archetype might have a balming effect on white guilt, albeit not something consciously intended by the authors.
I think Obama is far too dynamic and relevant a figure to fit the "magic negro" mold, though. The magic negro's race isn't threatening to anyone white. Obama's clearly is.
While I don't doubt that some whites are threatened by Obama, I also don't doubt that some blacks are threatened by Hilary Clinton.
Obama is, perhaps, the least threatening (to Whites) black politician in America which is, sadly enough, one of the reasons the Sharptons of the world question his "realness."
It's not difficult to understand how presenting a threat to whites may have become an important element of "real blackness," but it guarantees that no "real" black will ever be elected to the office of the presidency.
Again, quite a modern social dilemma. A black person in the White House would seem to indicate a sharp decline in American racism, and wide acceptance of black Americans as equal citizens. However, some blacks who claim to be devoted to bringing such a state of being to reality are now arguing that a black man who has a real chance of accomplishing it is not "really" black.
Al Sharpton is never going to be president of the United States. Anyone who insists that whites should be willing to vote for Al Sharpton for president are dimwits.
I would never vote for Sharpton for president.
Does this make me a racist? I don't think so because the color of his skin has nothing to do with my refusal to ever vote for him.
He lack of integrity does, but that has nothing to do with his being black.
His basic politics do, but that has nothing to do with his being black.
His singular focus on "black issues" does, and that
has something to do with him being black.
I want a president who will promote equality among American citizens. I have no intention, however, of voting for someone who places the uniques interests of black Americans over the interest of Americans of other races. Why should I?
I'm not wracked with "white guilt." I don't think it is fundamental that in order to advance the equality of back American citizens I, as a White man, needs to make sacrifices.
The threat that Obama represents to me is the threat of a Liberal.
I will not vote for a white Liberal, and I think it would be patronizing of me to vote for a black Liberal.
WTF was he thinking? 
That's so far beyond stupid, I laughed out loud. It must be two decades since Cosell lost his job for such idiocy
and he was widely considered the best in the business.
