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Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates - Ta-Nehisi Coates is a senior editor for The Atlantic, where he writes about culture, politics, and social issues for TheAtlantic.com and the magazine. He is the author of the memoir The Beautiful Struggle. More

Born in 1975, the product of two beautiful parents. Raised in West Baltimore—not quite The Wire, but sometimes ill all the same. Studied at the Mecca for some years in the mid-’90s. Emerged with a purpose, if not a degree. Slowly migrated up the East Coast with a baby and my beloved, until I reached the shores of Harlem. Wrote some stuff along the way.

The "Wasn't Me" Defense.

By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Dec 29 2008, 9:09 PM ET Comment

Fairness says that I must note that several Republicans have denounced the Barack the Magic Negro episode. I think Newt basically had it right. That said, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that this GOP apparatchik in the video below is just lying. To defend Limbaugh and his Magic Negro anthem, she cries Sharpton, claiming the song makes fun of Rev. Al saying that Barack isn't black enough. Please tell me when exactly Al Sharpton said that. I don't make a habit of defending Al, but I don't recall him ever saying that. But I do recall someone else questioning Obama's blackness:

Hey, Barack Obama has picked up another endorsement: Halfrican American actress Halle Berry. "As a Halfrican American, I am honored to have Ms. Berry's support, as well as the support of other Halfrican Americans.
That would be Rush Limbaugh talking. The same Rush Limbaugh who we are to believe was defending Barack Obama from this mythical claim by Sharpton. Amazing.

In what universe are we to take satire about black people from Rush Limbaugh? Here is the thing--if you made your career crusading against the Veteran's Day, don't expect people to laugh when you make a "satirical" joke about the Army.



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