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obrienmagic Special user 753 Posts |
*TRIGGER WARNING SLURS AGAINST LGBTQ+ an WOMEN*
For those who have not seen my video on crrepiness and misogyny in magic, I'll post it below. TL;DR I call out classic outdated plots in magic as well as magicians who currently perform them as a means to feel up or flirt with women in a non-consentual way. Jibrizi as the thumbnail may indicate is one of those people. Watch the video first then continue on please. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLzsNMsvPsc The response to this video has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Magicians and laymen alike have commented and shown their support to remove these outdated and misogynist effects from our performances. Unfortunately, several people have also commented or reached out telling me I am too soft and that I should just let it go. Jibrizi himself also weighed in on this. He said, "I believed your being to sensitive. Whatever happen to being a ROCKSTAR in magic. Seems like magician have gotten really soft and completely lost their edge in my opinion." He goes on to say, "Everyone in this comment section sound like a bunch of faggots." Jibrizi recently appeared on Kayla Drescher's podcast - SHAZAM. He was asked about this and his response was extremely disturbing. Rather than put words in his mouth you can check out the podcast and listen for yourself. I encourage you to listen in its entirety for proper context. https://episodes.castos.com/5f175f65ba5c......zy-2.mp3 I honestly believe he no longer has any proper place in our magic community. He should be shunned. Magic companies need to stop selling his products and/or stop having him promoting their products. Honestly, he has shown over and over again that he doesn't care for anyone but himself. Shame on me for ever having defended him.
Visit my online store at http://www.obrienmagic.com/magic-shop
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thecromulent Veteran user Brooklyn, NY 390 Posts |
Thanks for posting this video. Magic has a long way to go to catch up with the times--racism, sexism, inappropriate jokes and touching, exoticizing other cultures, and on and on.
I'd love to hear Jibrizi's response, but I'd rather not sit through an hour-long podcast. Where do the relevant remarks appear? Thanks. Evan |
Wravyn Inner circle 3513 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 17, 2020, thecromulent wrote: I agree. |
imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1339 Posts |
Kayla gets right to it, so just a few minutes in she asks him about how he’s promoting sexual assault in his performance. But it’s about the last 10 minutes it goes off the rails. Kayla asks him if he feels it was appropriate to be posting on sites calling others the homophobic f-word. To which he starts throwing the word around like candy...because...get this...he says he’s referring to small sticks. By saying the sound like f-words, he says they sound like small twigs rubbing together, that he finds it the most annoying sound ever. Kayla points out that the word has not been used in that context since the1400s. But he just double sod with, laughing all the time.
Good for Kayla for bringing in on her podcast with an open mind...but then not giving into his obnoxious behavior and calling him on it. And thanks to Michale for calling attention to this issue.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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thecromulent Veteran user Brooklyn, NY 390 Posts |
I just listened. His "you're making too big a deal about this, I was only kidding, the world has gone PC-crazy" attitude reminds me of a certain president I could name. The fact that he has the bundle-of-sticks props on his desk, ready to go, tells you all you need to know. The worst.
Despite the regret she mentions at the beginning, I think that Kayla does a terrific job here. She is direct, smart, clear, and focused. My new hero. I think that her pot shots at Michael O'Brien are a little off the mark, but they're forgivable in the context of the huge service that she is doing in confronting this kind of garbage. Evan |
GlennLawrence Veteran user Randolph NJ 320 Posts |
Jibrizy is a punk and everyone knows it. Why is anyone surprised at his moronic behavior?
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lynnef Inner circle 1407 Posts |
Thank you O'Brien. Some of those old magic effects from the past make me cringe, especially when the spectator is unknowing. Rope tricks eg have often been used to get too close to a woman (and then make suggestive comments about S&M, eg).imho It's fun to fool the spectator, but not make a fool of them... or sexually humiliate them. And I also appreciate your comment that there's a big difference between the magical assistant and the innocent spectator, even when the magic involves sexual material. Lynn
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The Mysterious One Veteran user 384 Posts |
Thanks for sharing O'Brien. Jibrizi Taylor acting like this is not shocking; you are talking about the same guy that shows little to no respect to his online audiences with coaching spectators to freak out for a card. I am not talking about hyping up/priming one's audience before seeing magic. I am talking about a magician saying, "When I pull the 3 of diamonds from the pack and ask you if this is your card, you scream, holler, and freak out. OK Lights. Camera . Action..." That is not magic; it is fraud.
Your best magicians have confidence (one cannot perform quality magic and mentalism without it), yet also a sense of relating to one's audience. Our goal as performers is to connect with an audience; so, at the end of a performance, they are awed and entertained. By building a connection and having the audience truly like you as a person first and a performer second, it eliminates so many issues one can face and builds a wonderful experience. It also leads to future opportunities. You must think and believe you are a rock star, but show humility, maturity, and respect for others. Jibrizy doesn't have the maturity, humility, or foresight to realize this. Please don't think it is due to his youth. I have seen younger magicians realize this (too many to mention) Please don't think it is due to him being an African-American magician. There have been African-American magicians for years and years that contribute and respect the art, excel in the art, and treat others with respect (Ice McDonald, Eric Anderson, Chris Capehart, Jack Goldfinger, Eric Jones, and so many more). It is just a huge personality flaw and sheer ignorance of Jibrizy Taylor. Therefore, I can see his magic career stalling, if it hasn't already. The internet has a long memory, and insulted and discriminated people do as well. I would not be surprised that his ignorant comments come back to bite him years later. |
The Mysterious One Veteran user 384 Posts |
One thing I would like to add. I saw a magician named Lynx perform at the San Francisco Pier back in 2015. We were on vacation. Lynx during his show on Pier 38, performing his show that was a combination of traditional magic and sideshow stunts (sword swallowing). He did an effect as part of his show, inviting a beautiful woman to join him on stage. He had her look straight at the audience and then he quickly leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She jumped back, and he laughed and said, "You know you wanted me to to do that." Umm.. no she didn't. He also, during his performance with her on the stage, made lewd and sexual comments the whole time, mentioning wanting to touch her derriere (back side for those that don't know any French) and his desire to grab her breasts. This angered me, not only as a magician, but as a man who respects women. His jokes throughout his show were about sexual positions and other not so subtle innuendos that I cannot even write, since they were so vulgar. He kept saying after stating something that would get him slapped before and during the "Me Too Movement", "If your kids understand that, then you are not good parents." Well, guess what! There were a bunch of children in the audience since it was an outdoor show for tourists, not a comedy club with an adult only audience.
Quite few parents walked off with their kids during his 20 minute show. He passed the hat afterwards to collect money. Very few gave money for his show. Those that did, he was very thankful. However, many did not (including me who is very giving) since he embarrassed his spectator by kissing her without her permission, making many people in the audience uncomfortable (including me). I told my wife that I hated his performance and persona, in spite of being a very skilled performer. He forgot the central tenet of magic: treat your spectators with respect. Part of that central tenet is not copping feels, using a woman spectator to kiss her against her will, making lewd comments about her breast size, and sexual comments in front of young children. Hopefully, Lynx (I will never forget his name) and others like him will learn to treat women with respect (shouldn't that come naturally?), no matter if they are a volunteer on stage, spectator in the audience, or fellow magician. Good magic to all! |
obrienmagic Special user 753 Posts |
Thank you for the support my friends. Penguin Magic Monthly picked up this story and included my article in the next issue (I believe November if not December.) You guys rock and I appreciate the support so much. If anything I think people like you guys are the best ambassadors for this. Bringing magic into 2020 and being as inclusive as possible for everyone!
Visit my online store at http://www.obrienmagic.com/magic-shop
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