The Magical Negro

[mahdokht]

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[AdinaL]

I am not sure where he stands on this. If he is against it because it is racist towards African-Americans, or because it makes him feel inadequate as a white man.
Poor writing I guess.

His constant misspelling of Morgan Freeman's name was irritating. And I always wonder about a writer who can't get his point across without using a phrase like "funny as f*ck". But those are my biases.

I guess I don't really know what to think about it. Sound slike someone's opinion...never heard of him, so he lacks credibility to me.

As for the concept of the article, I fully agree that Hollywood and even just white american society tend to mysticize any and all cultures that are "other". I know I have been guilty of it in the past...thinking something was cool just because it was ethnic. And the reason that I have always done it is because there is a supposed heritage that comes with this ethnicity. I dont' have that. There is very little about my family that can be construed as a heritage.....and I have always wanted that feeling of tradition and belonging. I think a lot of young people in American feel that way.

Anyway enough spouting....

[Pigpen]

Sorry, after reading that article I had to take some time to think about it. The only conclusion I came to is, it's hollywood, everything is skewed. I don't think anything is represented anywhere near real life. So, I don't know about the "magical negro" but, yes I have to agree, it's messed up. I find myself going straight to the foreign films section of the video store now. I HATE the hollywood formula, independent is slightly better, but so many american movies seem to go for shock value instead of telling a good story.