Analysis Of Rita Kempley And The Magical Negro Phenomenon

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Surname 1 Name Instructor Course Date Rita Kempley and the “Magical Negro” Phenomenon Introduction ​Rita Kempley’s essay depicts an idea about the roles of Africa Americans in the contemporary American society. Throughout television shows, video games, and movies, white characters are usually portrayed as seeking to achieve something and often accomplish their endeavors with the assistance of their black companions. Kempley stresses how African American actors usually assume the role of the “magical negro” where they assist a white character to become a better person (Kempley 311). Films that feature “magical” or gifted African American lead characters have been common the United States for a number of years, and this trend continues …show more content…

Films usually use embellished portrayal and limited roles of Blacks in appealing to a wider audience base. These characterizations reveal positive relations between individuals of different cultures, particularly between Whites and Blacks. On the surface, audiences watching the interaction between Black and White characters may view the relations as constructive. However, a scrupulous analysis of such interactions reveals an excogitation and reinvention of racist stereotypes. Such associations, together with more insidious forms of racist stereotypes end ion the creation of a distinct African American character, which has come to be popularly known in the literature and film industry lingo as the “magical negro.” The magical Negro is a character Freeman has played a number of times throughout his acting career, though often not of the supernatural …show more content…

It suggests that Black excellence is extremely shocking and marked by sensationalism (Tourè 1). Freeman is frequently depicted as having immense wisdom and power, yet he only uses these in helping the White protagonist. He is never menacing or aggressive because his only aim is usually to help, not to harm. The well-being of the White main character is usually prioritized over that of the magical Negro because the White protagonist is often viewed as being more important and of more value. In this manner, the role of the Magical Negro is reduced to that of a contented slave, happy to sacrifice his own well-being, time, and other valuables to aid the White character. At the end of the movie, a number of audiences are usually left quietly wondering why Freeman had to play such a role. The Magical Negro is not merely a racial stereotype; it is a specific and effective plot device. The Black character is incorporated into the story to aid the protagonist, and the narrative is frequently successful owing to this

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