What is "magical negro"

n. A supporting stock character in American cinema who is portrayed as coming to the aid of a film's white protagonists.

The Magical Negro is a supporting stock character in American cinema who is portrayed as coming to the aid of a film's white protagonists. Magical Negro characters, who often possess special insight or mystical powers, have long been a tradition in American fiction.

The term was coined in 2001 by film director Spike Lee, while discussing films with students at Washington State University and at Yale University, saying he was dismayed at Hollywood's decision to continue using the premise; he noted that the films The Green Mile and The Legend of Bagger Vance used the "super-duper magical Negro". Critics use the word " Negro" because it is considered archaic, and usually offensive, in modern English. This underlines their message that a "magical black character" who goes around selflessly helping white people is a throwback to stereotypes such as the " Sambo" or " noble savage".