tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post4910290843441013592..comments2024-03-06T08:29:13.333-08:00Comments on stuff white people do: feel disappointed because Obama apparently isn't a magic negromacon dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-86466400368599804472010-01-27T11:28:25.117-08:002010-01-27T11:28:25.117-08:00Thanks for commenting, Joseph, and I'm glad yo...Thanks for commenting, Joseph, and I'm glad you like the blog. I agree that white members of both parties typically display racism, and that some of that is more similar than they usually realize. (I have nothing to say about POC dismissing Republican POC as sellouts, especially since this blog is about stuff white people do.)macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-59978774069053396012010-01-27T10:12:55.872-08:002010-01-27T10:12:55.872-08:00I just wanted to say that today was the first time...I just wanted to say that today was the first time I've come across this blog and it's really made me stop and consider race from a new perspective. I was brought up with certain racial habits or patterns of thought that still cling to me. I don't really notice them until I have to stop and frame the same situation though a few mental filters.<br /><br />Political parties just muddy the waters of racism. Each politically active person should be judged on his or her own merits or demerits when it comes to racism. If you're a white Republican are you automatically a racist and if you're a white liberal Democrat are you a closet racist? There are some Democrats that fall into that "allowance" of PoC's capability and intelligence. As if by supporting PoC, they prove their own inability to be racist. These morally superior thoughts are self limited though by the qualification that these particular PoC who achieve great things are unusual in some way from their compatriots. <br /><br />For the white Republican aspect, I grew up in this environment and for those that aren't openly racist they seem to have nearly the same mentality whereby they make allowances that one or two PoC might just be able to contribute something to society. This is typified by their elevating the one particular PoC in their own party to a high political post. They person in question probably deserved the post, but the timing was suspicious given a Democrat PoC suddenly in the White House.<br /><br />Another thing I found interesting is how PoC will sometimes dismiss PoC who happen to choose to be Republicans. Despite nothing being in the Republican charter that would seem to openly endorse racism. They view these individuals as sell outs or puppets of a white agenda. I have no doubt they are used politically because of their color as both parties are capable of that, but I question if anyone should be so dismissed simply because of their endorsement of a different political/governmental formula.<br /><br />Sorry for my writing style, grammar, punctuation and spelling (whew!), but I did want to post my thoughts and to congratulate you on a very nice and thought provoking blog.blueshieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05783819792853498462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-78644738446877818292010-01-25T09:57:15.470-08:002010-01-25T09:57:15.470-08:00I don't think it is a question of magic negro ...I don't think it is a question of magic negro or not (at least not for me). My disappoint is not that things are all sunshines and unicorns (I know it takes more than a few months).<br /><br />But, the transparency and hope and openess seem to have been a thing of campaign time only. I know, politicians always lie, over-promise and do whatever is necessary to win. But, Pres. Obama was very adamant that he was not that guy. <br /><br />Plus, it seems too many (or at least for health care) that he is letting Congress do the heavy lifting. I know about separation of powers and such, but he still seemed complacent to deal with whatever the House and Senate sent his way. <br /><br />Finally, the habit of blaming any bad news on George W does wear thin. yes, the situation was a mess after W; yes, much of the bad news now is still hangover from then. But, you cannot blame everything bad on someone else and simultaneously take credit for all good news. <br /><br />I do like his aura of education. His public speaking skills, especially compared to the prior guy, lend credibility to the Office. I understand that oratory skill is not necessarily directly correlated with intelligence, but it does make a good impression. <br /><br />I like the big ideas, even if I disagree with the spending or some implementation. Addressing health care, immigration and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are paramount and takes courage. <br /><br />I won't issue a 'grade' or any of the other BS too many news outlets do. I think that the direction of many policies is too expensive, too expansive maybe. But, these are issues needing to be addressed, and addressed openly. The wingnuts and libtards are not the issue; the far left will always support him (even if they bitch about it, who they gonna vote for? McCain). And the wingnuts will never support him. These groups are too entrenched in ideology.<br /><br />BUT.. the 60-70% of America between these polarities... they mostly want to take care of their families, to help others where they can to be left alone. Those are the folks who pushed Obama over the top. If a populist could remain a true populist, that person would have a huge support base... but the idealogues would hate it. We had Reagan Democrats, now we have Obama Republicans. Can he hold them 2 terms?? we shall see. <br /><br />Not expecting magic, just living up to campaign promises of openess and honestybuckeye487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-28416198625592357632010-01-23T08:38:02.320-08:002010-01-23T08:38:02.320-08:00I'm going to have to think about this. I conf...I'm going to have to think about this. I confess that I have been disappointed in the way Obama has done several things, but how much of my disappointment is legitimate, and how much is a (subconscious) belief in the Magic Negro stereotype? Thanks for the post.NoDak608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-54909781391426837242010-01-22T09:24:44.775-08:002010-01-22T09:24:44.775-08:00[Anonymous, you seem to have missed this part of t...[Anonymous, you seem to have missed this part of the post:<br /><br /><i>I'm also not addressing here Obama's declining popularity more generally, so no comments, please, about what that has to do with his politics, unless your comment clearly has something to do with stuff white people do.</i> <br /><br />~macon]macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-40859468739630271252010-01-21T19:18:09.811-08:002010-01-21T19:18:09.811-08:00LOL - I'm watching the local FOX news right no...LOL - I'm watching the local FOX news right now and they "casually" mentioned how the White House's "value dropped 5% since Obama took office a year ago."<br /><br />They couldn't just say "value dropped 5% over the past year."Alliyah Gallowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11043902720307040762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-90765318659791812812010-01-21T14:18:49.702-08:002010-01-21T14:18:49.702-08:00@Roxie-I think that Obama's criticism is proba...@Roxie-I think that Obama's criticism is probably less than Bush's but in a worse form - i.e. tea parties. For example, I don't think Obama's popularity rating has dipped as low as Bush's.Magicalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-8273807123704123952010-01-21T13:01:25.099-08:002010-01-21T13:01:25.099-08:00Ever since Obama started to receive this super har...Ever since Obama started to receive this super harsh criticism about 6 months ago, I was VERY puzzled by it. I kept saying to everyone "Can he be in office a year FIRST?" It seemed like they were not only criticizing what he did/did not do, but blaming him for the results of the previous administration as well.<br /><br />I couldn't put my finger on why these people would be so overtly harsh and much more critical than they had EVER been of Bush. Wilmore's segment finally revealed it to me and now I absolutely see how that fits.Roxiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10989862745571420807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-5583260537592041852010-01-21T10:20:20.264-08:002010-01-21T10:20:20.264-08:00sarcasm intended here:
Obama only seems "mag...sarcasm intended here:<br /><br />Obama only seems "magical" to people because ANY reasonable human being sitting in the Oval Office seems like a miracle after 8 years of Dubya.NancyPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-32942074046066983732010-01-21T09:53:13.442-08:002010-01-21T09:53:13.442-08:00@A. Smith - I agree to disagree with you : ) Magi...@A. Smith - I agree to disagree with you : ) Magical Negro, IMO, is NOT the default lens for any black man who reaches a certain level of success. Part of the Magical Negro trope is his priorities. As Time Magazine pointed out, Bagger Vance uses his magic not to stop the Klan but to teach white men how to golf. I would argue that Randall Robinson was as successful as Obama before he became pres - and has arguably done more real world good even since Obama became Pres, but he doesn't get the Magical Negro treatment because he doesn't have Magical Negro priorities. Robinson spoke out against apartheid in South Africa when it was unpopular - when Obama was asked for a comment on what even Jimmy Carter has called apartheid in Palestine - instead of seizing the platform he said, "I'm not in office yet," and made some comments on sports. Robinson critiqued the government's response to Katrina as racist. Obama said it was not racist - merely incompetent - and has gotten a D rating on New Orleans rebuilding - but don't worry, the bankers got their bailout money...Magicalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-91840082185352507892010-01-21T09:16:23.501-08:002010-01-21T09:16:23.501-08:00A.Smith said...
"Anyone who continued to see...A.Smith said... <br />"Anyone who continued to see him as magical did that to themselves but he's still feeling the burn of unrealistic expectations."<br /><br />No I don't believe he framed himself- that wasn't his job; it was his image makers behind the scenes. His campaign manager, his publicity machine; they're the ones complicit in his magical makeover. To help whites see the nobler side of themselves through his “power” to bring people together.<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_negro<br />“The magical Negro is a supporting, sometimes mystical stock character in fiction who, by use of special insight or powers, helps the white protagonist get out of trouble.” <br /><br />Now that’s not much of a stretch when we consider the two wars we're currently engaged in. The economic crises and his pledge to whisk all of those troubles away with the simple phrase, “yes we can.” He didn’t scare whites but rather- he inspired them. Just think of the possibilities whites in power murmured.<br /><br />This from the, The Los Angeles Times:<br />http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,3391015.story<br />“Obama the 'Magic Negro'<br /><br />The Illinois senator lends himself to white America's idealized, less-than-real black man.<br /><br />The senator's famously stem-winding stump speeches have been drawing huge crowds to hear him talk of uniting rather than dividing. A praiseworthy goal. Consequently, even the mild criticisms thrown his way have been waved away, "magically." He used to smoke, but now he doesn't; he racked up a bunch of delinquent parking tickets, but he paid them all back with an apology. And hey, is looking good in a bathing suit a bad thing?<br /><br />The only mud that momentarily stuck was criticism (white and black alike) concerning Obama's alleged "inauthenticty," as compared to such sterling examples of "genuine" blackness as Al Sharpton and Snoop Dogg. Speaking as an African American whose last name has led to his racial "credentials" being challenged — often several times a day — I know how pesky this sort of thing can be.<br /><br />Obama's fame right now has little to do with his political record or what he's written in his two (count 'em) books, or even what he's actually said in those stem-winders. It's the way he's said it that counts the most. It's his manner, which, as presidential hopeful Sen. Joe Biden ham-fistedly reminded us, is "articulate." His tone is always genial, his voice warm and unthreatening, and he hasn't called his opponents names (despite being baited by the media).<br /><br />Like a comic-book superhero, Obama is there to help, out of the sheer goodness of a heart we need not know or understand. For as with all Magic Negroes, the less real he seems, the more desirable he becomes. If he were real, white America couldn't project all its fantasies of curative black benevolence on him.”<br /><br />In this sense he is a modern figure contrived totally of the white imagination. They built him up to occupy the dizzying heights of power and it is they who will bring him down should he fail to deliver. He had faults- defects and shortcomings; whites just didn't want to see them. Some of us blacks were simply blinded by hope; clothed in black skin. <br /><br />Yes we can…. Yes we can…. Yes- we can.... Just keep repeating these words over to yourselves and believe. Now that has magical overtones...M. Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15412079628160690200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-46540038934766370812010-01-21T08:53:10.035-08:002010-01-21T08:53:10.035-08:00@randy:
"its true-but i think the racial aspe...@randy:<br />"its true-but i think the racial aspect of that is less and less. they don't like obama because they think he's a crypto-muslim or a neo-trotsky."<br /><br />but, see, I'm not sure that's "not racial" at all. Both being a "crypto-muslim" or "neo-trotsky" are closely linked to perceiving him as an Other, no? (Aren't these the same people who are obsessed with his birth certificate?)Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02945385659698659077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-37616126736141786742010-01-21T08:47:57.787-08:002010-01-21T08:47:57.787-08:00@Jeremiah re: 'Macon: are you suggesting that ...@Jeremiah re: 'Macon: are you suggesting that *all* criticisms of the POTUS are racial? Your post reads like that.... just curious.'<br /><br />Just curious? Uh-huh. I think we're gonna get the "broad brush" defense. I just re-read macon's original post, and I can't see that implication anywhere--and I was looking for it. Could you give a specific example?<br /><br />In case you don't have an example, I'll respond to your question. Race is so intermingled with criticism of Obama that it has to be considered as a factor in the statements of his critics. Yes, ALL of them. Sometimes, as with the monkey caricatures and fear-mongering (see death panels) it's obvious, and sometimes the racial aspect needs to be teased out (the whole "radical" characterization is absurd on the face of it in light of what actual radicals say and do compared to Obama--unless you think of black men as angry rebels in the first place). Sometimes, race isn't a factor (Paul Krugman's critique that Obama's stimulus plan wasn't strong enough). But because racism is so pervasive in our society, to assume its absence unless it's blatant seems kind of naive, in a willfully ignorant sort of way.blogloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01465639610604161309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-63921398528805963252010-01-21T08:13:38.292-08:002010-01-21T08:13:38.292-08:00Jeremiah, I'm not sure if you're referring...Jeremiah, I'm not sure if you're referring especially to the [bracketed] end of the post? Anyway, no, I'm not suggesting that *all* criticisms of the POTUS are racial. What I meant at the end of the post was that I don't want this discussion to be derailed by discussions of the POTUS and his policies and so on that doesn't have to do with racism/white supremacy, since the ways of white folks are the topic of this blog.macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-49934033540263740692010-01-21T06:55:22.350-08:002010-01-21T06:55:22.350-08:00Macon: are you suggesting that *all* criticisms of...Macon: are you suggesting that *all* criticisms of the POTUS are racial? Your post reads like that.... just curious.Jeremiahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17139137120969063022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-45483558291176627572010-01-21T06:48:21.639-08:002010-01-21T06:48:21.639-08:00I've got an idea for a future post: "Laug...I've got an idea for a future post: "Laugh nervously at racially-tinged humour".Tadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-12365926544432432732010-01-21T06:44:56.471-08:002010-01-21T06:44:56.471-08:00@mgibson-
Forgive me if I'm missing your point...@mgibson-<br />Forgive me if I'm missing your point, because I think I may be --<br /><br />But the way the press framed him is different from the way he framed himself.<br /><br />You are right about his discerning abilities and how they played out with how he distanced himself from certain people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. <br /><br />However, understanding you gotta play the middle is not the same as being magical. Magical negroes come in and fix everything. I wouldn't disagree with the assertion that he framed himself in a way that suggested he was "normal" (and I know we have threads and threads AND THREADS on how white and male is the "norm" and from which everything else is judged, so draw from my usage of that word what you will) and non-threatening. He absolutely did.<br /><br />I don't believe he framed himself as magical -- I believe he tried to counteract that in many speeches, including his victory speech on November 4, 2008.<br /><br /><i><b>The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term,</b> but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.<br /><br /><b>There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who wont agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government cant solve every problem.</b> But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagreeThe road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.</i><br /><br />Anyone who continued to see him as magical did that to themselves but he's still feeling the burn of unrealistic expectationsA.Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10542810587986768786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-31226992614679891822010-01-21T06:44:52.245-08:002010-01-21T06:44:52.245-08:00@Magical
We're going to have to agree to disa...@Magical<br /><br />We're going to have to agree to disagree, most likely on this point.<br /><br />And no, "magical negro" is not the default lens through which white people see black men, but it <i>is</i> the default lens through which they see black men who achieve a certain level of success which is what I was getting at in my very first response in this thread when I said (sarcastically): <br /><i>we still see this issue of people who are suddenly upset with him because he isn't the magical negro they thought they were getting. Can you blame them though? Is there anything about our society that suggests black folks who rise to this level of respect and power are anything less than magical? Hell, even the ones of us who aren't this respected and powerful are magical (per our mainstream entertainment media).<br /></i><br /><br />You want to know why Tiger Woods rose so fast (besides distancing himself from black people)? He was framed as a magical negro (shhhh... don't tell him that) and he fell just as quickly when everyone found out he wasn't really completely magical. The irony is, many people who followed Tiger when he was in college say he had a reputation for being a womanizer. He became successful on a national stage, was framed as magical by the press, and it's like none of that other stuff mattered -- until now.<br /><br />As for President Obama framing himself differently from, say, Malcolm X, the comparison isn't completely fair. Different times, different end goals and different beliefs. Malcolm X didn't want (in his early years) to be liked or accepted by white people. I'd argue he wasn't really even trying to be liked by black people. He just wanted better lives for black people. By trade, politicians have to make you like them. President Obama framed himself as no more magical than any other person running for an elected office. They all want us to think they have a wand (though I would argue Obama went out of his way to caution people about expecting major changes very quickly) -- except President Obama is now suffering from people who feel let down by expectations they heaped on him that they would not have heaped on him had he been white.<br /><br />I totally agree with you suggesting some PoCs are guilty of framing Obama as magical, albeit differently from WP. Some PoCs are experiencing the same disappointment, but because of different issues. None of it is fair or appropriate. The man is just a man. All of it really drives me crazy.A.Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10542810587986768786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-40881537622935591622010-01-21T06:22:20.436-08:002010-01-21T06:22:20.436-08:00Wendy,
Did you try the Gawker post? Most of the c...Wendy,<br /><br />Did you try the <a href="http://gawker.com/5452415/obamas-first-year-the-daily-show-looks-back" rel="nofollow">Gawker</a> post? Most of the clip is there, but not all of it (if I remember right). Sometimes "Daily Show" segments show up on YouTube as well, though I haven't found this one there yet. Maybe there's some separate UK "Daily Show" site?macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-90971338929239629832010-01-21T03:30:51.110-08:002010-01-21T03:30:51.110-08:00would like to watch the clip but there is a large ...would like to watch the clip but there is a large message on it saying i cant watch as its unavailable in my country (UK)WendyCarolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10855552019336659332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-8217783608424253622010-01-21T03:07:01.130-08:002010-01-21T03:07:01.130-08:00A.Smith said...
@Magical
“However, I don't thi...A.Smith said...<br />@Magical<br />“However, I don't think anyone could make a convincing argument that he deliberately framed himself this way. People just want an excuse to a)believe in a magical negro and b)be upset that President Obama is not said magical negro.”<br /><br />News editors in back rooms were asking, how can we frame this black man to fit the image of “every man?" Media outlets were already hard at work spinning his image to suit their liking. Terrorist- the racial other, militant couple with the secret hand-dap; take your pick. Whites on both sides were framing him as either the magical negro- or the devil incarnate. I think he knew he had to disassociate himself from certain personalities lest he appear too black- too angry, or too militant. Jesse, Sharpton- Rev. Wright- Farrakhan; all had to be avoided like the plague. He couldn’t take a stand on too many minority issues; having to assume a position on race that was both conciliatory and accommodating. We are not giving this black man credit for always looking for the middle-ground; avoiding conflict by forging towards the center. We forget just how intelligent and discerning he is.M. Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15412079628160690200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-17839926417662298142010-01-21T02:45:52.261-08:002010-01-21T02:45:52.261-08:00I agree that white people are astounded about how ...I agree that white people are astounded about how a black person is saying something instead of what they are actually saying. <br /><br />The first episode of The Boondocks Huey told white people the truth and all they did was applaud him and marveled at how well he spoke.<br /><br />As for the magical negro a lot of people were shocked that he wasn't I remeber being on different message boards and people were shocked that racism was still alive and kicking even though obama became presidentAishyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08031950862460724191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-48391661763608686272010-01-21T02:28:25.610-08:002010-01-21T02:28:25.610-08:00Randy said...
“Does anyone else feel that pres. O...Randy said... <br />“Does anyone else feel that pres. Obama and the 1st family have over the past year come to be generally perceived-perhaps almost subconsciously-as less and less 'black'?”<br /><br />I think it’s the only way some whites can tolerate him in the office of president. Last year we elected a black man to the presidency and we had a black coach win the super bowl. During that same time a black man was appointed chairman of the Republican Party and we were just at the beginning of black history month. That was bad year for some whites because we were in the news a lot for doing Good Things. We were just too damned visible for the likes of some. I guess some whites feel, we’ll have to give him a temporary white pass because we still have three years to go. Better get used to it. Better get used to seeing Michelle’s naked arms and her big butt in profile. Better get used to little black children running around on the white house lawn. Better get used to watching the first couple (a black couple mind you) Opening state dinners- giving addresses and waving to the people like their better than us. Some whites have to force themselves to do what seems to come naturally for others. See the first family as equals.M. Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15412079628160690200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-33940662990207880892010-01-21T02:08:48.646-08:002010-01-21T02:08:48.646-08:00I agree: blacks had their own concept of Obama as ...I agree: blacks had their own concept of Obama as magical in that White people would judge the whole of us through him. Maybe this time, as in the case of Joe Lewis or Jack Johnson; he will embody everything that’s noble about us in white people’s eyes. Just as a white radio commentator remarked how Joe Lewis was, “A credit to his race” only after he defeated Max Schmeling. This man is going to be our ticket to equality! Things are going to change some blacks hoped. Course, just in case we thought too highly of ourselves after Johnson’s victory at Reno, a white commentator penned, “A word to the Black Man.” <br />Do not point your nose too high<br />Do not swell your chest too much<br />Do not boast too loudly<br />Do not be puffed up<br />Let not your ambition be inordinate<br />Or take a wrong direction<br />Remember you have done nothing at all<br />You are just the same member of society you were last week<br />You are on no higher plane<br />Deserve no new consideration<br />And will get none<br />No man will think a bit higher of you<br />Because your complexion is the same<br />Of that of the victor at Reno (Or the national stage) <br /><br />Our hopes and dreams were embodied in Obama, the same way we looked to black Heroes previous to him. Blacks celebrated, thinking things will be different. After the first and second world war- again we murmured, “things will be different.” Whites will treat us with respect and finally view us as equals, because we fought too! Although privately, some whites still echo the text from, “A word to the black man.” Don’t lift your head too high because a black man has been elected president. Don’t think too much of yourselves, because individually- you have done nothing. Don’t think we’re going to treat you any differently- or lift you up any higher because a black man occupies that office. So yes to some of us he was our magical Negro. But for whites he would prove to them that they weren’t racist. He would magically remove the taint of centuries with just a wave of his hand. "Things will be different," whites said. The world will look on us differently because we elected a black man to the Presidency. “Barack is going to fix it for us,” echoed simultaneously by both races... I’m sure even now after Obama’s lackluster first year, whites are saying see? I told you a black man can’t be president. To us that translates; no black man should ever have the audacity to hope.M. Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15412079628160690200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-33743583128362447922010-01-20T22:36:42.006-08:002010-01-20T22:36:42.006-08:00Malcom said
"I'm interested in common whi...Malcom said<br />"I'm interested in common white reactions to it, and especially to Larry Wilmore."<br />I had never heard of the "Magical Negro" stereo type before until I got into this blog.I think the deeper racial message that Wilmore was alluding to would have just went right over the "average" white guys head.I think whites would have agreed with him but not understood what he was getting at unless your familiar with "anti racist" thinking.I think the show was more directed at white liberals not your average white guy (what ever that means).Obama was the first Democrat I ever voted for.I voted for him because I believe he is honest and that's a rare thing in Washington.I was impressed with Michele Obama and they are blessed with a beautiful family.I feel he has character and that his values best reflect mine and that even if I disagreed with him on some things I Trust him to make the right decisions.So unlike liberals I don't have an agenda that I expect him to fulfill.Philosophically I've always been libertarian and politically I'm independent and centrist. I value more liberal ideas now then I did a few years ago..<br />@Randy<br /> "they're mostly surrounded by WP, in either white or sort of race neutral contexts and environments, doing WP sort of stuff a lot of the time, dressing like WP".What !?! Dude this makes no sense to me.It racist though maybe their are cro-magnum white people that think this crap.<br /> "they don't like obama because they think he's a crypto-muslim or a neo-trotsky."<br />Those are the people who watch Fox News.<br /> "he's too far right for the real Left, and WAY too far left for the Right. and that's too bad, because he'll have a devil of a time fighting the partisanship."<br />Thats true: I believe him to a centrist within left of center idology.He also inherited a mess that no U.S. preseident in the last 70 years has had to deal with..Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00985247445476558468noreply@blogger.com