Hate for the Holidays

by Sheldon Rampton — December 27, 2008 - 5:09pm

This YouTube video is set to the music of "Barack the Magic Negro."

In case anyone doubts that some Republican leaders are racists, Chip Saltsman, a candidate to chair the Republican National Committee, has clarified things a bit by sending a Christmas gift to committee members that includes a music CD with lyrics from a song called "Barack the Magic Negro," which was first played on Rush Limbaugh's right-wing radio show. The song, performed by conservative satirist Paul Shanklin, features Shanklin doing an impression of black Al Sharpton and mocks Barack Obama along with other black figures including Snoop Dogg and Louis Farrakhan. The song is part of a compilation of 41 similar conservative songs titled "We Hate the USA." Other selections include "The Star Spanglish Banner," an anti-immigration tune that begins, "José can you see..." Cultural critic David Ehrenstein, who was the original inspiration for "Barack the Magic Negro" by writing a column with that title in 2007, is gay and of partly African-American descent. He responded to the controversy over Saltsman's hateful holiday gift by pointing out that he was critizing Obama (for pandering to anti-gay Christians, among other things) even before it became fashionable for conservatives to do so.

Main Source:

The Hill, December 26, 2008

Comments

Racism

Submitted by Bruiser Larue (not verified) on December 14, 2009 - 11:12am.

Racism is practiced by all groups (White Supremists,Rainbow Coaliton, Black Panthers to name a very small number). No one race has a monopoly on racism.

I full agree with this

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 23, 2010 - 11:31pm.

I full agree with this statement, although these groups, for the most part are exclusive. The Republican Party continues it's uphill battle to be seen as inclusive.

I disagree

Submitted by quillerm on January 25, 2009 - 12:03pm.

The true measure of racism can be found in 96% of African-American voters supporting Obama and the liberal medias overwhelming bias against conserviatives. The savage attacks on Govenor Palin by liberal Hollywood outlets and major broadcast networks gave us some insight as what is to come in future elections. The only hope for Republicans is to change their political affiliations to Independents which would offer more of a moving target for the medias DNC controlled attacks. Those who control the media control free speech. The 'race card' has become just another tool for liberals to stop debate when truth and facts have compromised their position.