Is the Song "Barack the Magic Negroe" Racist? (church, Article)

[Fluffy]

This doesn't appear to be racist.

Racism is a form of discrimination that occurs when a person is prejudiced against others because of their race or, perhaps more accurately, skin colour. A racist might be able to enjoy tasteless humour more than a non-racist but that doesn't mean that tasteless humour can be used to infer either discrimination or prejudice.

It would perhaps be more accurate to look at the specific instances in which this song has been sung and evaluate each individually.

[Dirty Penguin]

Not necessarily racist.

But honestly....does it really matter? People who discriminate or are prejudice will always be a hater.

All I want to know is if the canidate is capable of handling the job? What is there political and social contributions and where they might stand on certain issues that may effect me and my family's well being. There are a host of other questions too but none of them have to do with the candidate's race, gender or religion.

[BUDDY]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Maybe you should explain exactly what you see as racist about the lyrics, Buddy.

I don't see anything offensive with the words....but I'd be curious if an African American would be offended.

Personally, I don't think it is racist, but I wanted to see what others thought. I know that if I were in a public place, with my computer, and this song came on, I would feel uncomfortable plaing it. When I thought of that, I was just kind of wondering why I felt that way. If my initial reaction would be to turn it off or turn down the volume, what does that mean? Anyway, I was just curious about what others thought of it. So far, I am pretty surprised by the responses.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by BUDDY

Personally, I don't think it is racist, but I wanted to see what others thought. I know that if I were in a public place, with my computer, and this song came on, I would feel uncomfortable plaing it.

Yes, this is how I would feel as well. I think it's the words, "magic negro" that are iffy. However, I have heard/seen/read MUCH more derogatory songs, poems, cartoons, & pictures of George Bush. I'd say that while not racist, this song is racially distasteful.

[PureX]

Limbaugh is a hate-monger. He's made a career out of playing on people's ignorance and prejudice and mean-spiritedness just to keep them tuning into his "show". I truly feel sorry for anyone who actually thinks this crap is funny, or somehow poignant.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by PureX

Limbaugh is a hate-monger. He's made a career out of playing on people's ignorance and prejudice and mean-spiritedness just to keep them tuning into his "show". I truly feel sorry for anyone who actually thinks this crap is funny, or somehow poignant.

Do you think if you had heard this song on Jib-Jab and not known it was from Limbaugh's show you would still think of it as racist?

[BUDDY]

Originally Posted by PureX

Limbaugh is a hate-monger. He's made a career out of playing on people's ignorance and prejudice and mean-spiritedness just to keep them tuning into his "show". I truly feel sorry for anyone who actually thinks this crap is funny, or somehow poignant.

Buttercup asks an excellent question, but to take it further, do you believe the article from the LA Times is poignant?

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Do you think if you had heard this song on Jib-Jab and not known it was from Limbaugh's show you would still think of it as racist?

I had almost got Jib-Jab out of my head. I absolutely hate Jib-Jab.