Magical Negro
Stock character who helps white protagonists
Summary
The Magical Negro is a trope in American cinema, television, and literature. In the cinema of the United States, the Magical Negro is a supporting stock character who comes to the aid of the protagonists in a film. Magical Negro characters, often possessing special insight or mystical powers, have long been a tradition in American fiction. The old-fashioned word "Negro" is used to imply that a "magical Black character" who devotes himself to selflessly helping whites is a throwback to racist stereotypes such as the "Sambo" or "noble savage".
Originally created by Andrew Levine
3/23/2004, 4:24:59 AM
Modified
2/11/2026, 10:49:04 PM
Recent revisions
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I added a contemporary literary example of the "magical negro" trope.
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