As the Democratic primary heads into South Carolina and the The Black Vote becomes important issue, I've noticed the phenomenon of people sharing headlines about liberal black supporters as if they are magical amulets that can persuade others and repel criticism.

The "Magical Negro" is a trope in cinema where a black supporting characters are "portrayed as coming to the aid of a film's white protagonists" and who "possess special insight or mystical powers," as Wikipedia has it written up. From who Ta-Nehisi Coates is voting for to shots at John Lewis and Killer Mike's respective endorsements and missteps to reconciling the '94 crime bill and various problematic statements over the years, black support of candidates have become like Magic cards, used to defeat foes in online combat.

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