About the Magic Negro Flap

I've heard from a few of my detractors. They want to know what I think about the latest "controversy" involving Rush, Obama, Republicans and parody.

Here it is: The song is funny as hell and the flap is much ado about nothing. If you really want to give someone hell, talk to David Ehrenstein... the brotha who wrote the article that started the whole thing.  Then, step off and laugh because Paul Shanklin's parody nails Al Sharpton, exposes how the black civil rights generation feels about President-elect Barack Obama and Shanklin does it with Mr. Ehrenstein own words!

Brilliant!

However, Chip Saltman, Republican National Committee chairman who send the CD out as a Christmas present, will still pay a price... Liberals are in charge and there is no room for parody unless the politician is a gay toe tapping Republican, Bush, or blind.

Comments

[Sharon Miller]

Yes James, for once we agree!! The song is funny as hell and I think it's making fun of Sharpton not Obama, and I for one think Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are oportunistic scumbags who could really care less about the struggles of the black community. The song was simply pointing out the jealousy that Sharpton and Jackson have for Obama as well and I personally wasn't offended at all. Of course Limbaugh is a fat, small minded pig so I can see why people are upset that he played it but I don't know why anyone is actually suprised by how low he will stoop for ratings. All I have to say is lighten up people, Bush (deservingly) got lampooned and made fun of during his entire 8 years in office for being an idiot so we can't get all bent out of shape everytime someone pokes fun at Obama. Besides, he is getting sworn in less than a month from now so who cares!! Let them have they're fun because..... WE WON!!! NA-NA-NA-NA-NAH-NAH!!! Obama/Biden 08 suckas!!!!!:-)

[dad29]

We'll disagree on this, slightly.

Yes, it's a funny item, and yes, it's meant to be a slam on Sharpton.

But it's entertainment; it cannot serve as a foundation for (or even a part of) serious discussion of political philosophy, nor policy.

So--as entertainment, yes!

As a campaign statement? No.

[Billiam]

Hmmm. I wonder if the enlightened such as Sharon would be able to handle Obama catching as much disrespect as Bush? Somehow, I doubt it. I think they'd mostly be out there crying racism.

[Maddie - Saukville]

That's the spirit Sharon!

I've never had any qualms about criticizing Republicans when I disagree with them any less than Democrats when I disagree with them. I might even be tougher on Republicans because their party is supposed to more closely represent my views, so when they don't, they really deserve to get it. I hope people like SNL do parodies of BO because I think it isn't a bad thing to laugh at yourself and there are times when you should be able to do that, especially in politics. I loved Darryl Hammond doing Clinton and Will Ferrel doing Bush and Tina Fey was a better Sarah Palin than Sarah Palin. Or will David Alan Greer and Dave Chappelle be the only ones allowed to parody him?

I haven't heard the song but I liked the article, particularly the inquiries on his racial "credentials." And I'm always happy to hear people like Sharon say that the Sharptons and Jacksons don't speak for her or necessary have the advancement of racial relations as their primary motivations. That's what is so ridiculous about the cry that JTH shouldn't be at a McCain rally though. Why are Americans of African descent not allowed to their individual opinions and beliefs? Why does someone else have to speak for them (and I know not all the people on the left who regularly comment here think that way)?

Help me out though, is Mr Ehrenstein saying that white America's (generalized) fantasy for curative black benevolence depends on how marginalized BO can be? And if so, is it up to the President to be, to be that or is it on everyone else? I understand the whole thing is supposed to be a little on the lighter side but even in parody, there is always some underlying amount of truth.

Really, can someone expand on that a little? I'd appreciate the thoughts.