Monday, April 11, 2011

White Savior/Magic Negro

 Some bemoan the existence of The Magical Negro.
The Black individual who has the ability to help someone white and does so.
These Magic Negroes are seen as modern representations of Uncle Toms.
From Sidney Portier (To Sir With Love), to Morgan Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption), to Will Smith (The Legend of Bagger Vance), to Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost), to Michael Clark Duncan (The Green Mile), to Queen Latifa (The Secret Life of Bees), to .... .
Blacks are often portrayed as possessing some type of mythical power or talent which is only used to rescue white people.
 But Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for playing the opposite role.
The White Savior is even more common in Hollywood.
Those who fill these roles are seen as ignant coons.

But these archetypes are more fact than fiction.
When those from different races interact - one person will be in a position to help another person.
Even when equals - there is always a Hegemon.
There is always someone who is even more equal than the others.
This is just the natural dynamic of interaction.
Most people don't walk around actively hating people predicated on race alone - most people have their own concerns to worry about.
One may think bad thoughts or have negative views, but few have the power or the desire to actually carry out such thoughts.
In the real world, you are either a Magic Negro or a White Savior (Or in need of one or the other.)

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