Writing Advice: The Magical Black Person

Ever since I started embracing my indigenous background, my perspective on things changed. Matters I never gave a second thought now give thought. Though I may not be the best at offering advice, I'd like to attempt it, focusing today on the "magical black person" trope. For clarification, I'm a white-passing Puerto Rican of Taino and Berber descent, with much of my life lived in the United States under a white family. I say all of this because the actual name for the trope is called the “magical negro” trope however since I grew up in a white family I don’t feel comfortable saying the actual name but it’s there if you wish to do some research.

The magical black person trope is simple; consider any Stephen King or Morgan Freeman movie (bonus points if you can name a movie with Morgan Freeman based on a story by Stephen King). Typically, there's a black character who aids the white hero by providing advice. If the magical black person is a woman, she often speaks her mind, offering the white hero needed truths. If the character is a black man, he adopts the strong, silent type, conveying profound meaning with few words.

This trope becomes most evident when the magical black person is the sole character of colour. They’re rarely portrayed as rich or powerful; instead, they embody humility and thoughtfulness. Despite potential intimidation, the black man typically has a soft side. Although often less privileged than the white hero, the magical black person aids them because it's the right thing to do. Sometimes, these characters only cross paths once, yet the magical black person imparts essential wisdom that propels the hero forward.

Writers employing the magical black person trope may unconsciously attempt to showcase inclusivity by saying, "I'm not racist; I have a person of colour in my story, and they help the hero!" However, if you change the identity of the black character nothing is lost.

Ironically, even in stories advocating against racism, this trope is still relevant as the black person sacrifices everything for the white hero out of "love." A notable example is the relationship between Jim and Tom Sawyer, where Tom gets shot, and Jim risks everything to nurse him back to health.

Elders and tribal leaders also fall under this category. It's almost comical how frequently a white hero enters a tribal village, seeks guidance from the tribal leader, and receives assistance simply because it's deemed the right thing to do. The tribal leader will also give the white hero a spirit name and welcome them as part of their village. In reality, many elders that I know of had told white people to fuck off.

The inclusion of magical black people can feel forced as if they exist merely to fulfil a checkbox. The advice they provide is often simplistic, and sometimes the advice had already been given to the hero, but at the time of the story, they were unwilling to hear it, making the magical black person seem redundant.

This trope often intertwines with the "white man's burden," seen in stories where white people “end racism” with the help of the black community without facing accountability for their actions. "The Help" is a film that gets a lot of flack for doing just that.

In essence, what makes the magical black person trope problematic is that it reduces them to a servant role for the white hero while positioning them as an exception within their own community. White creators tend to praise the individual black character rather than appreciating black culture—a distinctly white tendency.

The saying "it takes a village to raise a child" isn’t a common approach for white individuals, who often lead isolated lives. Popular stories by white authors emphasise the individual hero's ability to save the day because they’re "special." While the hero may receive assistance, those who help them serve a singular purpose—assisting the hero rather than being integral to the journey. (Not to mention the hero gets the girl in the end because of sexism but I won’t get into that with this post.)

To address this trope, engage with the community you want to write about. Give the magical black person a meaningful role in the story, making them indispensable. Additionally, consider adding more people of colour to your narrative. It could also be beneficial to position the magical black person in a higher position than the hero. Please don’t just listen to my advice, talk to others you’ll learn more, trust me.

Understanding tropes, their origins, and their implications is a crucial step in becoming a skilled writer. Challenging yourself to view things from different perspectives enhances your writing abilities. If you have any writing-related questions, feel free to message me. You can do it anonymously if you wish. While I may not be perfect, I'll try my best because I like writing, and I like teaching so I’m trying to combine the two. See you next time.