Parody stirs racial debate

Limbaugh snipe aimed at Obama highlights rising tensions over black candidate

The Rush Limbaugh radio parody "Barack the Magic Negro" is picking up speed on the Internet with lyrics that mock Sen. Barack Obama's popularity with white voters and portray African-American activist Al Sharpton as sputtering with jealousy of the younger black politician.

Dissemination of the parody, which has been airing on the conservative radio host's show for a few weeks, renews in a new context the contentious American conversation about ... Full Story »

Posted by Dwight Rousu

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Review

Tom Cox
2.3
by Tom Cox - Oct. 1, 2008

The reporter managed to assemble the facts but misunderstood them, and took as fact the accusation that Limbaugh was making "derogatory statements" about Obama. Reading between the lines we see that Limbaugh is accusing the Left of racism and is highlighting criticisms by some black leaders that Obama "isn't black enough". By buying into the "Limbaugh is a racist" trope the reporter blinds herself to the rest of the story, particularly the details of David Ehrenstein's column that called Obama a "Magic Negro". Missing too is any examination of the very real issue of jealousy of Obama's success by Sharpton. Also missing is any link to the actual lyrics of the parody song that is supposed to be so racist.

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Tom's Rating

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2.3

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4.0
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