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Saltsman: AP Photo: Danny Johnson
Parody: In contemporary usage, a work created to mock, comment on, or poke fun at an original work, its subject, or author, by means of humorous or satiric imitation. Source: Wikopeadia, via Google.
Of the many definitions available online, the one above comes closest to describing “Barack the Magic Negro,” and yet, reading RNC chairmanship-hopeful and former Huckabee presidential campaign manager Chip Saltsman’s defense, one has to wonder if he or anyone else involved really understands the definition of the word.
The piece, sung to the tune of “Puff the Magic Dragon,” purports to parody a March 2007 opinion piece in the L.A. Times, by David Ehrenstein also entitled "Obama the Magic Negro,” which argues that guilty white voters are supporting Obama to make up for past sins. Sometime that year, the song was recorded and played, to apparantly little fanfare, on Rush Limbaugh’s radio show.
As a Christmas gift to RNC members, Saltsman recently sent a CD, entitled “I Hate the U.S.A.,”including that song and 40 others (A list of all the songs is available on Jim L. Cunningham's site at : www.examiner.com/x-1470-DC-Progressive-Examiner~y2008m12d29-The-entire-list-of-41-Republican-parody-songs-and-a-comment ) attacking liberals, Democrats, and other activists. As a result, the song received national attention, resulting in rebukes from as high as the current RNC chairman, as well as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
In response, Saltsman told CNN that the CD was a joke, saying, "I think most people recognize political satire when they see it. I think RNC members understand that." Right-wing bloggers have decried objections as censorship, maintaining, with a figurative straight face, that the piece parodied the L.A. Times article, not Obama. Further, they argue that since the song is a parody, it cannot be racist.
Sadly, that is not the case.
While the Times is mentioned, the song is about Rev. Al Sharpton bemoaning Obama’s asencion in the national spotlight, and concurrent demise of Sharpton’s relevance on the national scene.
Meanwhile, it attacks whites who vote for Obama, and Obama himself, often at the same time, with lyrics such as:
They'll vote for him, and not for me
'Cause he's not from the hood.
See, real black men, like Snoop Dog,
Or me, or Farrakhan
Have talked the talk, and walked the walk.
Not come in late and won!
Other than stating several times that the L.A. Times called him the “Magic Negro’” it is difficult to see a connection between the song and the paper. Parody? Perhaps, but not of the paper. It is directed at either Sharpton, Obama, white Obama voters, or all three.
Racist? Yes, absolutely.
Even RNC Chairman Mike Duncan appears to agree, stating, "I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate, as it clearly does not move us (the Republican Party) in the right direction."
As strongly worded as that was, it was an understatement, especially considering that the CD was a Christmas gift – one hardly in keeping with the spirit of the season – from and to members of a party that was trounced, ostensibly for practicing the kind of sleazeball politics that the so-called parody brings to mind.
One would think that the season and the beating would have taught Saltsman a holiday lesson, something along the lines of be good to your fellow man or something.
Saltsman would have been better off sending fruit cakes.
Then again, he probably would not have been able to help himself from making an anti-gay slur in the process.
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Comments
Oh, this ol' boy Chip perfectly characterizes the RNC. Let him become the next Grand Wizard.
I see no problem with this as a parody.
Pooper,
You see no problem with the material as a parody because you are a racist. Also you are ignorant of your racism which is very unfortunate as you'll never overcome this defect.
By the way, this post is a parody of a commercial I saw in 1979.
Love,
One Opinion
A good example of American politicians and the quality of our society.
Go GOP, you filth.
Racist drivel, but no surprise for the Republican Party. They are basically irrelevant and bankrupt of ideas at this point.
Pooper,
I think I made clear that the song CAN be viewed as a parody, although arguably, not of the Times article. Nonetheless, it is still racist and offensive.
I recall years ago when the actor Ted Danson was dating Whoopi Goldberg (I'm still scratching my head about that one) and he showed up at some banquet in black-face. Was it a joke? Yes. Was it stupid, racist, and offensive? Absolutely!
So pooper, I wonder if you can agree that the "parody" could be reasonably viewed as racist or if you absolutely cannot find ANYTHING racist about the song. Let us know.
Miami Law & Politics Examiner
Nice! I can't believe nobody's sent this to Digg yet. Fine, I'll do it! -JLC
Jorge, my favorite part of your article is the title.. this part "but Saltsman won't back down " It reflects precisely what the Left continually seeks and what the Repuclicans have a lousy habit of delivering-- "backing down".
Ha! But not this time!! And that's why Saltsman has gifted all Conservatives not with a parody CD but with a much greater contribution of sheer gutsiness in the face of enemy fire (and a few shots of friendly fire, mainly from aspiring RNC chairman themselves vying for Salstsman's position).
Just looking at how Saltsman has infuriated the Left gives me the smallest glimmer of hope that there is one Republican who remains an unapologetic beacon of fortitude.
The unthinkable, loathseome act?? Distributing a CD of silly songs... which happen to satirize many of the issues and subjects that are representative of well, the Left-- and that's really the offense. Don't believe me? Let's take this non-controversy about a CD which of 40 songs-- contains a track that highlights a very race-focused (racist?) article from the L.A. Times. The article is written by a liberal black writer who describes the attributes of a stock character "the Magic Negro". Hey Liberals-- here's your actual culprit!
As much as I'm finding it hard to care what the Left thinks about Republican strategy, choice of Christmas gifts or various satirical song selections-- more than anything else I'm refreshingly delighted with Saltsman's response to it all: "most people recognize political satire when they see it." Yep. Okay, maybe not most people.
From Wikipedia,
"Political satire specializes in gaining entertainment from politics.
Political satire "does not necessarily carry an agenda nor seek to influence the political process. While occasionally it may, it more commonly aims simply to provide entertainment." How outrageous!
Let's see what's really more reprehensible??-- some silly gift of satire given in the spirit of fun and entertainment OR some very serious, life-threatening, anti-American vitriol delivered in a spirit of partisanship and attack?
Here's my gift-- a new holiday original:
On the 1st day of Christmas... Dick Durban gave to me
A sweet comparison of our troops to the Nazis.
On the 2nd day of Christmas... Harry Reid gave to me
Our utter defeat in Iraq and Durban's comparison of our troops to Nazis.
On the 3rd day of Christmas... Nancy Pelosi gave to me
Naming our President "a total failure", Reid's defeat in Iraq, and Durban's comparison of our troops to Nazis.
On the 4th day of Christmas John Murtha gave to me...
U.S. is the most dangerous threat to world peace, Pelosi's subversion, Reid's defeat in Iraq and Durban's comparison of our troops to Nazis.
...and so it goes.
Good lord!
I could make a career just disputing Robbies point of view! Shame I have a day job!
But hey, as long as your reading, I'm not complaining! ;)
Miami Law & Politics Examiner
P.S. Thanks Jim, I haven't been on DIGG in awhile!
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