I explained to some other Mudcatters that I have an interest in collecting racist references is song. I have also personally don ated some items to the following Museum which has some wonderful articles about racist themes:

Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University

Dr. David Pilgrim's article on that site about the theme of "The Tragic Mulatto" is very useful and perhaps helpful in considering this idea of "The Magic Negro". Take some time and read it if you get the chance, especially if you are a film buff.


I agree that Obama is a mirror which reflects back to the view that which they want to see:
An "Oreo" or Tragic Mulatto
A dangerous Black man or The Brute Caricature
an Uncle Tom
An Arab Extrermist
plus all of the positive views

As for the Arab Extremist, note how Ann Coulter has never ceased to refer to him as anything but "B. Hussein Obama". (let's not get into a debate though about Coulter, I'm merely citing her term) Her deliberate use of this name is a verbal "Willy Horton Ad" which is supposed to remind us at every mentiuon that Obama cannot be trusted because his dad is Muslim. She even drags out the double s of "Hussein" to make it sound a bit like a snake hissin g which I suppose is supposed to make us think of "Snake in the grass". Even Hillary Clinton's camp jumped on the "let's remind folks he's part Arab" bandwagon" by asserting that "Obama was educated in a Madrash"

I do wonder how far political parody songs and cartoons about Obama can go, however, before critical mass is reached.