The American Society of Magical Negroes, also known as ASMN, is an organization that focuses on promoting the rights and representation of magical negro characters in American literature and media. The term "magical negro" was coined by filmmaker Spike Lee in the early 2000s to describe a recurring archetype in which black characters possess supernatural abilities and often exist solely to serve and support white protagonists. The ASMN aims to shed light on the problematic nature of this narrative trope and advocate for more authentic and diverse portrayals of black characters in popular culture. They argue that the magical negro trope perpetuates harmful stereotypes and fails to explore the complexities and individuality of black characters. Through various initiatives, the organization seeks to raise awareness about the impact of these stereotypes on African American communities and advocate for more inclusive storytelling. This includes supporting and promoting works by black creators that challenge and subvert the magical negro trope.
The device became a kind of shorthand for a road-tired traveler who wanted a little comfort. In 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and wife Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) collapse onto the mattress, only to have the vibrations force them to sleep on the floor.
It was probably the first guest-room amenity after the TV, and almost ubiquitous in motels in the 1960s and into the 1970s, Lodging Hospitality editor Ed Watkins told The Los Angeles Times in 2009, following Houghtaling s passing. While demand from the motel industry waned, seniors remembered the therapeutic gadgets from their cross-country journeys and eagerly purchased them for home use without coin meters.
This includes supporting and promoting works by black creators that challenge and subvert the magical negro trope. The ASMN also hosts workshops, panels, and discussions to educate both industry professionals and the general public about the importance of accurate representation. By highlighting the negative effects of the magical negro stereotype, they hope to encourage media creators to move away from these tropes and create more authentic and well-rounded characters.
Magic Fingers Motel Massager
During the twilight of the fifties, the Englander Company manufactured a commercial sleeping slab with a mechanical vibrator at its core. One of their top salesman, John Houghtaling (HUFF-tay-ling), peddled the unit to customers in the lodging industry. When a number of clients complained that the buzz boxes were burning out, he took it upon himself to find out why.
For almost two years, he conducted a relentless campaign of under-the-bed research. Mattresses were dissected, bedsprings analyzed, and motors monitored. After disassembling the mysterious motion transducer and studying its intricate workings, he discovered that “there wasn’t much to it.” Inside, what was initially perceived as a mechanized marvel consisted of nothing more than a simple electric motor with a small counterweight attached to the driveshaft.
Houghtaling began to tinker on his own and soon devised a much more reliable version. It was small, powerful, and a snap to replace. Best of all, his visionary design had a specific advantage over the existing competition: it could easily be mated with any mattress. Now, anyone handy with a screwdriver could install one of these new massagers—directly inside of a bed’s box spring! A quad arrangement of specially grooved mounting posts made easy work of attaching the vibrating module between the cushioning coils. The inventive Houghtaling even patented the unique design approach.
Sampling the subtle waves of relaxation emanating from his reconfigured recliner, he coined the phrase “Magic Fingers” and set upon the task of marketing his therapeutic relaxation device to the masses. Sales representatives from across the country were recruited in a loose franchise arrangement. For an investment of $2500, would-be dealers received eighty of the vibrator units, three days of training, and audio-visual materials. After that, it was the dealer’s responsibility to locate potential customers, handle installation, facilitate repairs, and finally—collect the sacks of coins accumulated at the end of each month.
A compact control head (attached by a wire) held the loot and activated the magical oscillations. Bolted down securely (in later years) to the nightstand, it served as both a pay receptacle and housing for the timer. When sleepy lodgers dropped their quarter into the coin meter, it tripped a mechanism—providing fifteen minutes of operation. The setup worked without a hitch for a number of years until basic honesty went the way of the dodo. Suddenly, anyone and everyone (including some motel employees) began breaking into the coin meters to help themselves to the proceeds!
For the hapless distributor, the resulting losses proved to be quite substantial. During the heyday of Magic Fingers mania, over 250,000 units were buzzing along at both independent and major chain accommodations, nationwide. With an average of eight quarters collected by each unit during the time span of one month, an entrepreneur maintaining a few hundred vibrators could pull in a considerable chunk of change. Since Houghtaling didn’t demand royalties, top Magic Fingers salesmen could earn a good living.
By the 1970s, engineering changes were made to the box in an effort to thwart the pilfering. Now, room renters received a card from the desk clerk during check-in that was credited with incremental amounts of time. Back in the privacy of their rooms, a modified control head read the debit card and activated the Magic Fingers. Unfortunately, the costs incurred to continually upgrade the system with the latest technology proved prohibitive. Magnetic stripe card readers that were initially “high-tech” were soon rendered obsolete by the fast pace of progress.
Eventually, coin theft became such a problem that Houghtaling couldn’t sell distributorships with a clear conscience. Somebody would set up a business and effectively go broke in just a few months. But the Magic Fingers wasn’t licked yet: In the early 1980s, the General Stamping and Manufacturing Company of Hialeah, Florida acquired rights to the gizmo and began marketing it to residential customers. While demand from the motel industry waned, seniors remembered the therapeutic gadgets from their cross-country journeys and eagerly purchased them for home use (without coin meters).
Today, fully functional models of the venerable Magic Fingers mattress can still be discovered—and enjoyed—at a smattering of tourist courts, cabins, and no-tell motels along the retired miles of Highway 66. Along with “refrigerated air” and “television in every room,” Houghtaling’s shimmying shaker has found a place of permanence in the pop culture of the American road. And, oh yeah . has anyone got change for a dollar bill?
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“It was probably the first guest-room amenity after the TV, and almost ubiquitous in motels in the 1960s and into the 1970s,” Lodging Hospitality editor Ed Watkins told The Los Angeles Times in 2009, following Houghtaling’s passing.
In addition, the organization works to support and uplift black artists and storytellers, providing resources and platforms for them to showcase their work. They believe that by empowering black voices, they can contribute to a more inclusive and representative media landscape. The American Society of Magical Negroes recognizes that progress takes time and effort. However, they are dedicated to advocating for change and pushing for a more equal and diverse representation in American literature and media. Their work ultimately aims to challenge existing stereotypes and create a more inclusive and authentic depiction of black characters in popular culture..
Reviews for "Analyzing the Motivations behind the Creation of the American Society of Magical Negroes"
- John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The American Society of Magical Negroes". The concept seemed promising: exploring the role of magical black characters in literature and society. However, the execution fell flat. The writing lacked depth and failed to fully develop the ideas it presented. The characters felt one-dimensional, and the plot was predictable. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to explore an important topic in a meaningful way.
- Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "The American Society of Magical Negroes" had an interesting premise, I found the pacing to be off. The story dragged in some parts and rushed through others, making it difficult to fully engage with the characters and their journeys. Additionally, the narrative voice felt inconsistent, which made it hard to connect with the story. There were moments of brilliance, but overall, it lacked the cohesion and polish needed to make it a truly impactful read.
- David - 2.5/5 stars - Despite the intriguing title, "The American Society of Magical Negroes" failed to deliver on its promise. The storyline was convoluted and confusing, and the constant shifts in perspective made it difficult to follow. The writing style also didn't resonate with me, as it often veered into unnecessary tangents and lacked clarity. I appreciate the attempt to explore racial themes, but the execution left much to be desired. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing read.