Should Rush Be Accountable for 'Barack, the Magic Negro'? Here's What You Think

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DiversityInc has had numerous e-mails from readers charging that we said Rush Limbaugh created this video. We always have acknowledged in our stories on this issue that the video was created by satirist Paul Shanklin, although Limbaugh was involved in the idea. Limbaugh also did have the video posted on his web site.


Should Rush Limbaugh be held accountable? The idea behind "Barack, the Magic Negro" originally stemmed from an article published in the Los Angeles Times written by opinion, entertainment and political writer David Ehrenstein, who is black. He was the first to call Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as the "Magic Negro.".

But it was Limbaugh's idea to ask voice impersonator Paul Shanklin to imitate the voice of the Rev. Al Sharpton for his parody that was heard on "The Rush Limbaugh Show" called, "U Da Real Negro, Screw Obama." (See also: 'Barack, the Magic Negro': Will Rush Limbaugh Get the Ax?)  And Limbaugh put a video of it on his web site for his subscribers.

Ehrenstein describes this "Magic Negro" as someone who is characteristically perceived as more socially accepted among whites. Other prominent black men embody a similar quality, he writes, including Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman, Scatman Crothers, Michael Clarke Duncan, Will Smith, Don Cheadle, and Magic Johnson.  

"He's there to assuage white 'guilt' over the role of slavery and racial segregation in American history," writes Ehrenstein. "While replacing stereotypes of a dangerous, highly sexualized black man with a benign figure for whom interracial sexual congress holds no interest."

Limbaugh, who is white, took it upon himself by putting his own twist on the "Magic Negro," which resulted in the video parody posted by YouTube.com. The video also shows Obama dressed in a fake Ku Klux Klan outfit, implying that he supports white supremacy. 

Limbaugh never has shied away from making offensive comments. He has been a critic of Obama and his presidential campaign from the day Obama announced his candidacy. Media Matters reported that Limbaugh once criticized a speech made by Obama, referring to him as "Obama Osama" (and vice versa) seven times during his afternoon show. This comment also brought Limbaugh under fire. However, he attributed his use of the phrase to Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, claiming he was the first to make this remark.

What did our readers have to say? The controversy reminds many of the Don Imus episode and they wonder if Limbaugh should meet a similar fate. Some DiversityInc readers felt Limbaugh should not be held accountable and that he was simply using satire. Others felt the video parody images were racist in nature and that he should be fired for airing such content. Here's what some DiversityInc readers had to say:

Against Limbaugh:

As a proud black woman, I want to say that Rush Limbaugh is notorious for his pseudo-political, racist diatribes. While what he says is reprehensible and offensive, giving him power over our emotional state does more disservice to us than it will ever do to him. Black people, the only way to hurt these kind of people is in their pocket. Stop patronizing this on-air fool. Stop patronizing his sponsors. We have more power than even we know what to do with.

--Kimberly Highsmith

Who is this person Limbaugh anyway? What has he got to his name that will make one take notice of him if not within conservative, reactionary and no-brainer circles? One does not have to be an Obama supporter to know that this Limbaugh person has absolutely crossed the line of decency and civility. If he can dehumanize a person like Obama because of his color, Limbaugh simply has no class. He should know by now that decent Americans, who are indeed the silent majority, are tired of hearing Limbaugh and his type spew their tirades day in and day out in the name of free speech ... Mr. Limbaugh, you are not only boorish but, above all, intellectually very inane and boring too.

--John M. Coffey

As a black woman in the United States, we have struggled for "respect" since the 1960s, and no matter what your background, education or position in life, we as black people are still, in year 2007, considered nothing more than a "servant of the white man," and I am tired. Yes, Limbaugh should get the boot [because] he is disrespectful to all people. Why should he get away with being rude?

--Charli Jenkins

Let us not justify those white folks who denigrate African Americans with the excuse that we have some house cleaning to do as well. The fact of the matter is that right is right, and wrong is wrong. What Rush Limbaugh did, said, produced, is clearly wrong and he should now also hang up his racist hat and move on. He is clearly a person who cares little for minorities and does nothing positive to bring all of us together.

--James (did not provide last name)

I continue to be surprised by these idiots but then again this is America, and in our conversations we seem to forget that this country was built on the backs of many people including the prisoners of war "slaves." We live in a society that rewards institutional racism, sexism, homophobia and ethnocentric thinking. The people who are most offensive using their platforms are egocentric, and while they may or may not be educated, are rather stupid. Additionally black and brown people who live and work in this country should hold the members of respective groups accountable for the language we accept from them even when we think falsely that we are not affected directly. Imus is only a symptom ... we must get to the evil that is called racism with honest conversations, and a real desire to change old institutions without which we are all wasting our time and should just continue to be cannibals.

--Angela Lewin

I believe we should turn a deaf ear to Rush. He and his 20 million listeners just love to degrade other ethnicities. The last time I looked the population of this United States was over 330 million. I believe that comes out to approximately 6 percent of the populous. That leaves 94 percent of the populous enclosed in their right minds.

--Tony Asberry

Comments such as "Barack, the Magic Negro" do not surprise me at all. It is a great example of the racial insensitivity that is prevalent in America. Now, it's just being broadcasted nationwide so we can see a clear picture of our cultural ignorance. Why is it so unbelievable for a black man to be educated, articulate and a viable candidate for the presidency? Why does this have to be a magical or mythical concept? Limbaugh is a learned man I presume ... People need to get real about saying racism isn't alive and well in America. As long as it lives in people's hearts and minds, then it effects [sic] their hiring decisions, firing decisions, media portrayal positions and their radio shows. Limbaugh is using satire as an outlet to express his true feelings.

--Laura (did not provide last name)

Pro Limbaugh:

Let's not overreact to Rush. Parody and satire have long been a tool for all issue discussions. We give awards for editorial cartoons. None of us live perfectly to our values. Parody allows us a humorous revelation of our shortcomings.

--Chuck (did not provide last name)

Get over it, I hear blacks calling each other "negros" all the time. They have Ebony magazine and that isn't racist. If a white man had Ivory magazine you would have a fit. There is the Negro College Fund ... nothing wrong there? Yes. No white, Hispanic or Asian can apply. "Ho" is bad no matter who says it, that is the difference.

--Ellen Coe

Last time I checked this is America. You know, right to free speech, right to make fun of each other. Poke some fun back. Don't go cry about it. I'm sure Obama isn't crying about it. If he is [crying about it,] he is definitely not the man I want running the country. This is different than the Imus controversy; this is politics. I have never heard of George W. Bush (or anyone in his defense) trying to get someone in the media fired over mean, rude, critical or derogatory remarks about him.

--Catherine Mumm

Al Sharpton has been spewing far more racist remarks and for far longer than Rush Limbaugh, and his are serious rather than in parody as are Rush's. Also, I think Sharpton is scared to death of Barack, who does not play the race card with every other breath. Barack threatens Sharpton's livelihood and power base. Rush is doing political parody of Sharpton, not practicing racism.

--George (did not provide last name)

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