‘Magical Negro’: Racist robocalls hit Oprah, Stacey Abrams in contentious Georgia gubernatorial race
"This is the magical negro, Oprah Winfrey, asking you to make my fellow negress, Stacey Abrams, the governor of Georgia," the call begins.
Scared racists are conspiring to intimidate and confuse voters of color ahead of crucial midterms across the country on Tuesday, including in Georgia’s closely-watched race that could see the first Black woman governor in U.S. history.
Here is a snapshot of tactics used in the historic race between Democrat Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp, a white Republican who oversees elections as Georgia’s secretary of state: “Eleventh-hour legal decisions, a racist robocall, voter suppression, ballot access, and a protester donning a giant chicken suit and holding a sign that reads ‘too chicken to debate,'” The Associated Press notes.
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The racist robocall that impersonates Oprah Winfrey went out last week to an unknown number of Georgians, writes the news outlet.
“This is the magical negro, Oprah Winfrey, asking you to make my fellow negress, Stacey Abrams, the governor of Georgia,” the call begins, according to recordings, writes The Hill.
“Years ago, the Jews who own the American media saw something in me – the ability to trick dumb white women into thinking I was like them,” the voice continues. “I see that same potential in Stacey Abrams.”
Both Abrams and Kemp condemned the robocall, which says it was paid for by The Road to Power, a group organized by Scott Rhodes of Idaho. He has been linked to several other racist robocalls, including a recent effort in Florida, where Democratic nominee Andrew Gillum would become the first black governor in his state’s history, The AP reports.
Kemp issued a statement calling the tactic “vile” and “contrary to the highest ideals of our state and country.” Kemp said he condemns “any person or organization that peddles this type of unbridled hate and unapologetic bigotry.”
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Abrams also condemned the call, but said it’s a result of the toxic environment created by Kemp and Donald Trump, who was in Georgia Sunday campaigning for Kemp. Abrams’ spokeswoman, Abigail Collazo, said both Kemp and Trump have contributed to the toxicity and that Kemp has remained silent in the past on racial attacks aimed at Abrams.
“These automated calls are being sent into homes just days before President Trump arrives, reminding voters exactly who is promoting a political climate that celebrates this kind of vile, poisonous thinking,” Collazo told The AP.
On Saturday, Abrams campaigned with her local congressman and civil rights leader, John Lewis, greeting voters at an Atlanta shopping complex.
“Georgia has long been on a path of change and evolution,” Abrams said, writes The Associated Press. She also reiterated that the election is about critical issues like expanding Medicaid insurance and focusing state spending on public education, job training and small business startups.
“I’m the only candidate with a plan to get that done and to do that without vitriol, without vilifying people,” she added.
Lewis added: “This young lady is playing a major role in helping liberate all of us, liberate the state of Georgia, liberate the South, liberate America.”
