Borat: Master of Manipulation

The first time I saw the "Throw The Jew Down The Well" clip I was completely taken aback. It was about 2 years ago and I had seen only a couple Ali G clips and did not really know who this guy was. Seeing a goofy comedian leading a huge group of Southerners in an obviously anti-semitic song was unsettling to say the least. How shamelessly hateful and racist must these people be to clap and sing along to such obviously offensive lyrics, I thought.

However, I've learned a lot more about Sascha Baron Cohen since then, changing my opinion in many ways about the subjects of his pranks. While his foray into the country music world initially appeared to be a startling exposure of the anti-semitism inherent in Southern culture, I've since come to realize that the actions of the people in the clip is more a result of Cohen's mastery of comedy and manipulation, as well as the ignorance of his "marks."

Cohen/Borat introduces himself as a foreign news reporter, providing his targets with a feeling of safety because they are assuming that no one they know will ever see the recordings. Additionally, this provides him the flexibility to do a lot of incredibly random stuff that his marks will just pass of as quirks of the Kazakhstani culture, which they likely know nothing about. Throw in their unfamiliarity with Jews (or race issues in general -- being secluded in the relatively homogenous state of Arizona) and love for nationalism and catchy country music and the aforementioned clip is what results. They are just getting caught up in a moment that brings their ignorance into stark contrast for the viewers and not participating in a festive Jew-hating rally as it first appears.