The Use of the "Talking Android" in Modern Times

     Throughout Mumbo Jumbo, Ishmael Reed creates the idea of a “Talking Android” to reflect on how Western politics manipulate ­­perceptions to appeal to a greater audience. Mumbo Jumbo uses non-traditional storytelling to frame history with an Afrocentric perspective, rather than a Westernized one. An epidemic, Jes Grew, takes over the country, causing extreme turmoil in the eyes of White people, as Black people begin dancing more and begin embracing their culture more. There are two primary opposing sides: the members of the Mumbo Jumbo Kathedral who work to advance and restore Black culture, and the Wallflower order, a secret society that promotes Atonism and controls most of the politics and society. To appeal to a wider audience, the Wallflower order uses a “talking android” to promote their ideals. This is essentially a Black person who praises Western culture and can work from within Black communities to instill Eurocentric beliefs. The use of the “talking android” can be seen in various ways in modern times, particularly in the use of politics.

In September of last year, it was reported by The Washington Post that Trump’s polls are hitting high with Black and Hispanic voters. Let’s talk about Tim Scott, the senator of South Carolina. He is a Black Republican, who doesn’t understand systemic racism and has claimed that “America is not a racist country. Period”. He is also extremely pro-life. Senator Tim Scott shares the majority of his views with Donald Trump, a racist, sexist, xenophobic, bigot. The list can go on with the problems of both Scott and Trump’s views, but the important matter at hand is Scott’s popularity with Black and White people. He supports the views of White supremacy and sexism, yet he is Black. Because of this, he is able to attract White Republicans who are able to continue convincing themselves that they are not racist because their senator is a person of color, so how could their ideals possibly be racist? And the idea is that he would also be able to appeal to Black communities “from within” (how it is proposed in Mumbo Jumbo). There are various other examples of this, like having female politicians promote pro-life laws. The “talking android” is becoming more prevalent across America, and it’s quite harmful.

The “talking android” was a term coined in Mumbo Jumbo, and although it may initially seem implausible, this type of person can be seen in American politics. If a republican takes a Black man who quite literally promotes the same ideals and beliefs that a White man would promote, it can seem “progressive” on the surface and appeals to more swaying republicans. Similarly, there are many women in politics who fight for pro-life and share the same goals as Trump does, and this makes them appeal to more people and makes it easier for Americans to forget the true racism and sexism that live on in this country.