Reply #25: The issue I have with casting "the mass of whites who voted for him" as a protagonist... [View All]

[LooseWilly]

is the fact that, by definition, a protagonist is:
"1 a: the principal character in a literary work (as a drama or story) b: a leading actor, character, or participant in a literary work or real event
2: a leader, proponent, or supporter of a cause : champion"

Except for definition 2, synonym 3... the mass of voters doesn't fulfill the definition of a "protagonist". In contrast, Obama himself fulfills every definition, and every synonym associated with the term "protagonist". As a result, I still think the term Magic Negro, and the connotations that it is a supporting character who makes it possible for a white "main character" (protagonist) to achieve his (or her?) final aim, and thus achieve status worthy of lauding for having overcome whatever obstacle the theme took the form of... is not applicable to Obama. He is, as I see it, himself the protagonist, and when/if he accomplishes great things, he will be the one worthy of lauding for having overcome the obstacles of the political landscape.

This is what is causing me confusion. I don't understand why many voices seem determined to revoke Obama's status as protagonist/champion/principal character in the drama that is the blossoming progressive (or at least not regressive) political movement of now.

I do see your point of view though, in which Obama is a "servant of the people", and I can see then going on to define "the people" as being "the Mass of whites who voted for him"... but it seems to me that that "casting" is a function of framing Obama's role as one of "servant", as opposed to "champion".

So, hoping that all of that was somehow illustrative of what I'm talking about, I'm curious to hear what words, phrases, or connotations-of-phrase used by "He whom bliss_eternal would have me not name" cause you to read "He whom bliss_eternal would have me not name"'s words as casting Obama in the "servant" of the "people" role, rather than "champion" of the "people"?

As for the issues you mention... "why he can't shut GITMO down right now, why he can't remove troops right now, why can't Gays marry right now, why with a majority health care can't be passed this instant, et cetera" ... I can see the arguments one way or the other. I also have personal opinions on each of the above. Likewise, Obama and each member of his Cabinet have opinions. And likewise "with the many good things Obama has done" (in particular, I am in awe of the amazing foreign policies that he's been trying so diligently to put into place). Once again though, I think many "criticisms" are calls for a more puissant championship, rather than some sort of chastising of a servant.