Paul Shanklin
Paul Shanklin (born 1962) is a Jewish-American conservative political satirist, impressionist, comedian, and conservative speaker.[1] A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Shanklin writes most of, and voices the characters for, the songs and satirical comedy segments used by conservative radio hosts Rush Limbaugh and Mike Fleming.
Shanklin first came to media attention after doing his vocal impersonation of then-President of the United States Bill Clinton for Memphis radio show host "The Big Kahuna", Bill Young. Shanklin was brought to the attention of Limbaugh by announcer Johnny Donovan, and was first featured on Limbaugh's show in 1993.
Shanklin has released a total of 11 albums of political parody songs and skits. Shanklin has performed over 1400 parody songs and skits incorporating over 80 voice impressions.
RNC controversy and "Magic Negro" parody
Shanklin's work has been both embraced and rejected by the high ranking members of the Republican Party (United States). A copy of his album "We Hate The USA", which included his "Barack the Magic Negro" parody, was distributed to all members of the Republican National Committee (RNC) by former Tennessee Republican leader Chip Saltsman, a candidate for the leadership of the RNC in 2008.[2]
On December 27, 2008, incumbent RNC Chairman Mike Duncan publicly criticized Saltsman for using the song, saying "I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate, as it clearly does not move us (the RNC) in the right direction."[3] Saltsman in turn defended Shanklin, and said that party leaders should stand up to criticism of the song since it was a parody of an L.A. Times opinion column.[2]
Other conservatives and Republicans have criticized Saltsman for distribution of Shanklin's work. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich stated with regards to the issue: "This is so inappropriate that it should disqualify any Republican National Committee candidate who would use it." [4] Ada M. Fisher, MD, one of the RNC's three black members, wrote an open letter to Saltsman in response to the controversy condemning the presence of "racist actions and deeds" and "lack of sensitivity."[5][6]
Shanklin got the idea for his controversial tune “Barack the Magic Negro” in March 2007 after reading a column titled “Obama the Magic Negro” by David Ehrenstein in the Los Angeles Times. In the column, Ehrenstein compared Obama to the 'Magical Negro', a stereotypical shallow black movie character who exists only to aid the white protagonist.
The parody consists of an imitation by Shanklin of Reverend Al Sharpton's voice using a megaphone, sung to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon." The song begins with Shanklin singing that Barack Obama is not "authentic," and progresses to a shouted rant which draws on many racial stereotypes. [7][8]
Discography
Albums
- Bill Clinton: The Early Years
- Bill Clinton: The Comeback Kid Tour
- This Land Was Your land
- Executive Privileges
- Simply Reprehensible
- Vice Vice Baby
- The Usual Suspects
- Mama Told Me Not To Run
- Talk Radio Classics Vol 1
- Holiday Classics (2006)
- American Spastic (2006)
- We Hate the USA (2008)
References
- ^ http://www.worldmag.com/printer.cfm?id=14690
- ^ a b http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,5335087.story
- ^ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16876.html
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/us/politics/28rnc.html?hp
- ^ http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1208/Blackell_defends_Saltsman.html
- ^ http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/fisher_again_in_the_spotlight
- ^ http://www.metacafe.com/watch/575124/barack_the_magic_negro/
- ^ http://mfile.akamai.com/5020/wma/rushlimb.download.akamai.com/5020/New/barackthemagicnegro.asx
External links
- www.paulshanklin.com — Paul Shanklin's home page