Michelle Malkin » “Fauxbama” and the race-mongers

“Fauxbama” and the race-mongers

By Michelle Malkin • February 29, 2008 11:07 AM

Just when you think identity politics can’t parody itself any better (or worse), along comes a new set of race-mongers with an even more absurd set of grievances.

A story in today’s Washington Post reads like a lead story in The Onion (via HA Headlines):

When Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president last year, some observers questioned whether the senator from Illinois was “black enough” to embody the hopes and aspirations of African Americans.

Now a variation on that theme has emerged: Is Fred Armisen, who is not African American, “black enough” to embody Obama on “Saturday Night Live”?

Debate over that question has been pinging around the Internet since Armisen, a veteran cast member, donned darker makeup to portray the Democratic candidate for the first time Saturday. Armisen played Obama opposite Amy Poehler’s Hillary Clinton in a sketch satirizing the supposedly cushy treatment his candidacy has received from the media.

“SNL” impresario Lorne Michaels said yesterday by phone that he thought the sketch played so well that the show intends to air another Obama/Clinton debate spoof tomorrow night, with Armisen and Poehler reprising their characters.

The p.c. police worked itself up into a lather:

Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune put the question bluntly: “Call me crazy, but shouldn’t ‘Saturday Night Live’s’ fictional Sen. Barack Obama be played by an African-American?” Ryan went on to conclude: “I find ‘SNL’s’ choice inexplicable. Obama’s candidacy gives us solid proof of the progress that African-Americans have made in this country. I guess ‘SNL’ still has further to go on that front.”

Hannah Pool, a writer for the Guardian newspaper in Great Britain, suggested the whole setup had “minstrel” overtones.

“Casting a black actor wouldn’t have guaranteed the quality of the sketch, but it would have made the whole thing a lot less shoddy,” Pool wrote. “Let’s get one thing straight. The moment anyone starts reaching for ‘blackface,’ they are on extremely dodgy territory. Anyone who thinks it’s either necessary or, for that matter, remotely funny to black-up needs to have the gauge on their moral compass reset.”

Never mind that both Obama and the “Fauxbama” actor, Armisen, are multi-racial.

Nobody much cared about Armisen’s racial background (he is of white and Asian heritage) when he played Prince and Steve Jobs during seasons past of the NBC show. Nor did it seem to matter that “SNL’s” Darrell Hammond, who is white, has impersonated the Rev. Jesse Jackson for years. Or that decades ago on “SNL,” Billy Crystal played Sammy Davis Jr.

Commenter Vizzini turns the tables:

“Would a black SNL actor be white enough to play Obama?”

Exactly.

The same kind of racial identity frenzy broke out over the casting of English actor Jonathan Pryce as the Eurasian pimp in “Miss Saigon.” Remember?

Actors’ Equity denied permission yesterday for the English actor Jonathan Pryce to appear on Broadway next spring in the role of the Eurasian pimp that he created in the hit London musical ”Miss Saigon.”

The action by the American actors’ union came in the face of a threat by Cameron Mackintosh, the show’s producer, to cancel the Broadway engagement of ”Miss Saigon” should Mr. Pryce be denied permission to re-create the role. The musical about an American G.I. and his Vietnamese lover in Saigon in 1975 was scheduled to open in March 1991 and has an advance sale of $24 million, the largest in Broadway history.

”After a long and emotional debate, the Council has decided it cannot appear to condone the casting of a Caucasian actor in the role of a Eurasian,” the actors’ union said in a statement that was read at news conference at its headquarters by Alan Eisenberg, the union’s executive secretary.

”The casting of a Caucasian actor made up to appear Asian is an affront to the Asian community,” Mr. Eisenberg continued. ”The casting choice is especially disturbing when the casting of an Asian actor, in this role, would be an important and significant opportunity to break the usual pattern of casting Asians in minor roles.”

That was 18 years ago. How pathetic to see the creative arts reduced to another self-pitying vehicle for the most unimaginative dullards of the racial/ethnic bean-counting mob. How little has changed.

***

Here’s the SNL vid of Fauxbama:

Posted in: Barack Obama, Political Correctness, Race Hustlers

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#101

On February 29th, 2008 at 9:40 pm, Ombre Rose said:

On February 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pm, vickisoup said:
Nobody should have to answer for their childhood past, whether Muslim or not. I am uneasy with the suggestion otherwise.
I do agree that his current spiritual leader’s bigotry is a huge problem for which he should be scrutinized.

We aren’t scrutinizing ORDINARY CITIZENS here.

Get REAL.

You think a German or a Japanese person wouldn’t have to endure some scrutiny in 1940 or 1944 if they were running for President of the USA?

ANYTHING that pertains to the responsibilities of the office is more than fair game for the VOTERS.

We’ve played enough games with the FACT that we ARE at war - a REAL war, and it isn’t just a social pirouette.
And it really does NOT matter how much the SOCIALISTS in America are EMBARRASSED TO DEATH that we are at war with their virtual ALLIES.

These candidates are soliciting our AUTHORIZATION for control of the most powerful office on the planet.

And the power for that office derives directly from the American Citizen VOTERS, through the Constitution - and we bear responsibility and accountability for what an ELECTED official does with power that WE VOTERS place at their disposal.

We don’t merely have a RIGHT to scrutinize, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION to do so, and to assess whether that is something we are comfortable with.

Can you imagine being told you must buy your next car, house, or spouse while they are covered totally with a tarp, and you are given only the information the SALESMAN wants you to have about it?

Bridgette Gabriel writes in her book, “BECAUSE THEY HATE”, that Obama has a brother who is a full-fledged radical Muslim.

I did not know that, before yesterday, and my mom was planning on voting for Obama to protest the McCain candidacy.

We have a right to the truth and the whole truth, and to be treated with the respect that we have the intelligence to assess that information with adult common sense, and weigh it fairly.

If the candidate cannot handle the American public knowing the FULL TRUTH about him or her, then the CANDIDATE isn’t fit for the office.
#102

On February 29th, 2008 at 9:56 pm, zyzzyg said:

What was said when the likes of Pavarotti and Placido Domingo, et al played ‘Othello’ in black face?

My two cents - it is a function of how it is done. We’ve made progress and there will continue to be bumps in the road. One bump will be Will Smith playing the leading role in the life and times of Marion Morris (aka John Wayne), and we will get over that, too. He did OK as James West in the movie ‘Wild Wild West.’
#103

On February 29th, 2008 at 10:12 pm, spidgy said:

I am shocked SHOCKED to see Irishman Mickey Rooney cast as a loud, kimono-clad, irate buck-toothed Japanese guy in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. The NERVE!

Signed,

A half-Japanese guy
#104

On February 29th, 2008 at 10:13 pm, spidgy said:

/sarc off
#105

On February 29th, 2008 at 10:17 pm, Speakup said:

The least SNL could have down was use Hillary’s Imperial Mao outfit for the skit.

“I find ‘SNL’s’ choice inexplicable…

I guess only Conservatives inherit the benevolent gene.
#106

On February 29th, 2008 at 10:35 pm, almeehan said:

I guess it’s time to interject this famous blast from the past, from presidential candidate Pat Paulsen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04BhAxBNWIo
#107

On March 1st, 2008 at 1:53 am, meatpieandtatters said:

Liberal have been certified by the surgeon general to be void of a sense of humor.
#108

On March 1st, 2008 at 6:39 am, xroadcop said:

What the old saying–”____ ‘em if they can’t take a joke”
#109

On March 1st, 2008 at 9:21 am, jeanie said:

I don’t think I want a President who “embodies” the aims and aspirations of the black community. I want one who embodies the aims and aspirations of us all. Even that very remark scares me about Obama’s presidency. Is he going to be black first and president second? This would seem to say that’s what’s expcected of him!!!
#110

On March 1st, 2008 at 9:56 am, JWS said:

Obama is a dangerous extremist and a racist. Think of the outrage in the reverse of his situation. He fumbled on and on but still hasn’t rejected Farrakhan’s support (the racist and anti-semite Obama’s separatist church so admires). A white guy with ties (however tenuous) to the KKK gets a pass here? Nope, he’d be toast. Blacks in particular, should be outraged at this, but then, if America has given you no reason to be proud until now…
#111

On March 1st, 2008 at 11:36 am, fulldroolcup said:

B.D. Wong wrote, “There is no doubt in my mind of the irreparable damage to my rights as an actor that would be wrought if (at the threshold of the 21st century) Asian actors are kept from bringing their unique dignity to the specifically Asian roles….”

Actually, I’ve enjoyed him watching him play a white psychiatrist on Law and Order SVU. But think how many liberal Jewish actors must resent him stealing what would be a “natural” role for them…

And I’m sure that Sicilian Iron Eyes Cody is shedding a tear over the injustice towards them from his place in the Happy Hunting Ground.
#112

On March 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm, lgm said:

JWS said:

Obama is a dangerous extremist and a racist. Think of the outrage in the reverse of his situation. He fumbled on and on but still hasn’t rejected Farrakhan’s support

Should he go further than this:

SEN. OBAMA: You know, I have been very clear in my denunciation of Minister Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic comments. I think that they are unacceptable and reprehensible. I did not solicit this support. He expressed pride in an African-American who seems to be bringing the country together. I obviously can’t censor him, but it is not support that I sought. And we’re not doing anything, I assure you, formally or informally with Minister Farrakhan.

Try looking into McCain Embraces Bigot.
#113

On March 1st, 2008 at 12:27 pm, JWS said:

#112

Yes he should go further. Much further. Try something like: “Farrakhan is without a doubt a racist and an anti-semite. I want and will have nothing whatsoever to do with him or with anyone who in any way agrees with and/ or associates with him”

What would be so hard about that? Unless, of course, he be down wit what Farrakhan be spoutin…

Obama and his lovely wife are racist at their core. They are also wildly anti-American. Unfortunately, MTV and ESPN have raised a generation of idiots who are unable to critically examine that which is put right in front of them. And now that generation gets to vote. Great. Go prove to the rest of us how “cutting edge” you are, how “tolerant” you are. But make no mistake: Obama is 100% FOS and worse…
#114

On March 1st, 2008 at 2:05 pm, dakine said:

huggy, you nailed it with your take on granite. Very scary that a seemingly intelligent individual can think in such an irrational and unhinged manner. Reminds me of some of the kooks who post on Dkos.

On topic: who cares? If someone is offended, they’re offended. Seems pretty silly to me, but this isn’t much of a story.
#115

On March 2nd, 2008 at 8:19 am, gunslingerpatriot said:

Granite-
You’re correct in your post about islam, and for further information I suggest;

Understand my Muslim People by Dr. Abraham Sarker.

Married to Mohammed by W.L. Cati

Both of these books were written by former muslims who left the faith and have seen first hand the dangers Americans face.

Of course, anyone (trolls excluded) who can look at Cair, and the religion objectively can see that its a religion of hate and certainly not tolerance. MM has done an excellant job posting the things the msm doesn’t want the sheeple to see or understand.
Especially if you’re a woman, Christian or Jew. Convert, pay the jirza or die-there is no living in peace with them.

GSP
Dhimitude or Freedom? Your choise!
#116

On March 30th, 2008 at 12:16 am, Dimsdale said:

On February 29th, 2008 at 1:51 pm, lgm said:

Boomer said (#35):

If the liberals are getting the panties in a bunch over superficial BS like this just wait until someone goes after “Barrack Hussein Obama” on his lack of substance.

Without repeating Boomer’s obnoxious uncomfortable metaphor, I will say that MM seems more exercised than the supposed PC liberals she’s quoting.

As for Obama’s middle name, the only reason Rush repeats it is to associate Obama with Saddam. What, I wonder, are your definitions of “cheap shot” and “substatntive discussion”. And if the McCain/Obama debates turn substantive I think we’ll find out who has substance and who “doesn’t know much about economic policy” (McCain, about himself).

Actually, Rush uses BO’s middle name because it has become verboten in the press, for the reasons you mention. I think Bush’s middle letter (if you will) has been sufficiently besmirched, and the man himself has been the constant target of more lowbrow cheap shots by the media than anyone since Reagan.

As for substance, I haven’t heard anything that makes me think that BO has any great grasp of economic principles. Position papers written by subordinates do not necessarily reflect the knowledge or abilities of the candidate. Similarly, McCain will hire anyone whose expertise he needs to fill his cabinet as would Obama.

You have to admit though, BO’s speeches, when actually read for content, come up particularly short. The media has made a rock star, and his audience of short attention span liberals will swoon as needed.

If you want a candidate with minority status that actually has a resume of real accomplishments and serious political potential, keep an eye on Bobby Jindal. He is everything the MSM tries to convince us Obama is, and more.