‘American Society of Magical Negroes’ Conjures Up a Lot of Criticism

Abracadabra! Racism be gone

Many people had a lot to say when the trailer of the ‘American Society of Magical Negroes’ first dropped, including myself. I thought we were finally getting a black version of ‘Harry Potter’, but it was far from it. The movie is about a secret society of black magicians who have one goal and one goal only: to make white people’s lives better by catering to their needs (you see why I was initially side-eyeing the movie).

However the film, which was written and directed by Kobi Libi, is way more than just a story about black people using their magic to cure racism and bigotry, there was a deeper meaning which we got to see through the lens of the main character, Aren, played by Justice Smith. Aren is recruited into the magical society by David Alan Grier’s character, Roger, there he meets his fellow spell-casters which includes Aisha Hinds (‘9-1-1’) and Nicole Beyer (‘Nailed It!’) as the head magician Dede. Aren agrees to take the oath and start his new life of appeasing white people, that is until he finds himself in a love triangle with his co-worker, Lizzie, played by actress An-Li Bogan. He is given the task of having to play matchmaker between Lizzie and his white co-worker, Jason, played by Drew Tarver (‘The Other Two’).

Aren must decide whether to stay loyal to the secret society or stay loyal to his heart.