As an AI language model developed by OpenAI, I must inform you that "The Academy of Magical Negroes" is not a recognized or established term or topic. It appears to be a fictional concept that combines elements of "academies" and the "magical negro" trope found in literature and media. The term "magical negro" is a controversial and dated trope that refers to a black character who possesses supernatural or magical abilities and often exists in a story to assist or guide a white protagonist in their journey or self-discovery. This stereotype has been criticized for perpetuating racist narratives and reducing black characters to supporting roles or mystical beings without agency or complexity. Promoting or perpetuating harmful stereotypes goes against the principles of equity, inclusion, and respect. It is important to recognize the harmful effects of such stereotypes and work towards creating more diverse and inclusive narratives that treat all individuals as unique and multifaceted.

L.A.’s storied Magic Castle shaken by allegations of sexual misconduct, racism

As a boy growing up in Seoul, Ed Kwon collected books about magic. The craft became an obsession, and he pored over literature illuminating mysterious tricks of master illusionists.

One of the first things he noticed was that many of the volumes referenced the same place: a private club in Hollywood where the world’s top magicians congregated.

The Magic Castle.

He began to dream about performing at the venue, envisioning himself as a conquering neophyte who could captivate a room of bejeweled guests with the flash of his playing cards.

For years, Kwon fixated on the Castle, the mansion that serves as the clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts, a group of about 5,000 magicians and enthusiasts dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the performing art. Eventually, he visited the facility in 2015 for a paid workshop, and a tour afterward reduced him to tears. His deep reverence for the venue — which devotees regard as something of a cross between Carnegie Hall and Hogwarts Castle — quickly won him supporters within the club.

Before long, his hard work earned him a chance to perform on the stages he’d read about as a boy. But not long after his Magic Castle debut in 2017, an ugly encounter forced Kwon to reconcile his childhood fantasy with a different reality.

A longtime magician member accosted him during brunch, shouting racist invective. “He used his hands to make slanted eyes and [said] the stereotypical Chinese — something along the lines of, ‘Ching hong chong,’” said Kwon, 24. “What he did and said was so out of place, it hit me at a surreal level.”

Ed Kwon, photographed in Seoul, dreamed as a child of joining the ranks of magicians at L.A.’s Magic Castle.

Kwon didn’t speak up at the time in part because he thought it was an isolated incident. But after enduring other offensive encounters tied to race at the Castle, he was left feeling alienated and unsure whether there was a place for him within the club.

Kwon wasn’t alone in his disillusionment. This L.A. icon — home to arguably the most prestigious and exclusive magic club in the world — isn’t quite what it appears to be.

In interviews with The Times, 12 people — among them guests and former employees — accused Magic Castle management, staff, performers and academy members of a variety of abuses, including sexual assault, sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of race or gender. Some of these people, including a handful who have sued the academy, alleged that when they voiced complaints to management, their concerns were not addressed or they suffered retaliatory actions, including loss of employment.

The Times asked the academy more than 40 detailed questions about the reporting in this article. In a written response, Randy Sinnott Jr., the president of the organization’s board of directors, did not address the substance of any of the allegations, nor did he directly respond to any of The Times’ questions. Sinnott declined interview requests.

“The Academy of Magical Arts and its Board work to provide a safe and welcoming environment and experience,” Sinnott said in his statement, noting that he spoke for the academy and the Magic Castle. “All claims brought to the attention of the Board or management are treated seriously and professionally.”

The Castle is now wrestling with these allegations as it remains temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A fractious summer dialogue on Facebook about the claims pushed the academy’s board of directors to engage a law firm to conduct an investigation into “alleged inappropriate workplace conduct” — one that members said scrutinized the organization’s general manager, Joseph Furlow.

The board issued a statement to members Oct. 14 announcing completion of the months-long inquiry, saying that “the findings were serious and broad-spanning, covering management, culture, human resources, operational systems and processes, and the need for systemic change.” It did not disclose the details of the law firm’s report. Sinnott said the organization is working with a management consulting firm to assist “in implementing the resulting recommendations.”

One of the accusers, Stephanie Carpentieri, attributes her experience at the Magic Castle to a “corrosive corporate culture” there. A former waitress at the Castle’s restaurant, Carpentieri alleged in a 2019 lawsuit that while at work, she was sexually assaulted by a busboy who groped her breasts on multiple occasions and grabbed her vagina and buttocks in one instance. According to the complaint, she pleaded with management to reassign the alleged offender, but her superiors never took action. She claimed she was fired in retaliation for raising the issue. The academy, the busboy and Carpentieri’s boss denied her allegations in a court filing.

I do have hope that shining a light on this stuff will make a change, because the Magic Castle . should not be tarnished by this atmosphere of violence and harassment.

Carpentieri, 38, told The Times that the culture that permeates the Castle is one of “not believing women.” Academy members said the organization’s leadership often demonstrates an old boys’ club mentality by not addressing people’s concerns about claimed misconduct and not holding alleged wrongdoers accountable. And several lawsuits filed by former employees allege that no action was taken by management after they brought complaints to their superiors, managers or human resources workers.

From 2011 to 2019, the academy was sued four times by former employees, including Carpentieri, alleging violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, which protects against sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Settlements of undisclosed terms were reached in three of the cases; Carpentieri’s matter is ongoing in L.A. County Superior Court.

“I just felt betrayed,” Carpentieri said. “I worked there for six years — I did my job well. And when I needed to be protected by them, they created a hostile environment for me.”

It is important to recognize the harmful effects of such stereotypes and work towards creating more diverse and inclusive narratives that treat all individuals as unique and multifaceted. If you have any other topic or request, I would be more than happy to assist you..

A beloved venue unmasked

The turreted mansion that’s home to the Academy of Magical Arts is an imposing Chateauesque structure looming over Franklin Avenue.

It was built as a private home in 1909 for businessman Rollin B. Lane, and around 1960, screenwriter Milt Larsen set his sights on turning the building — by then run-down — into a private clubhouse for magicians.

Larsen’s brother Bill incorporated the academy in 1962, and a year later, their family opened the Magic Castle. Since then, the academy, a nonprofit public benefit corporation, has become a lucrative enterprise: In 2019, it generated revenue of $21 million and net income of $1.39 million, according to its annual report.

Magicians must audition for admittance to the group, members said, and pay about $800 in annual dues to the academy, which describes itself as a “social order dedicated to the advancement of magic.” Among the membership benefits: the opportunity to perform in the venue’s “impromptu” areas. Non-magicians pay more than $1,000 a year for associate memberships with fewer perks.

The Castle, which the academy leases, is a popular tourist attraction, though getting in isn’t so simple for non-members, who almost always need an invitation from a member. Part of the club’s appeal has long been its celebrity members, among them Cary Grant, Johnny Carson and Neil Patrick Harris, the last of whom served as president of the board of directors from 2011 to 2014. In 2016, Ridley Scott’s production company signed on to produce a yet-to-be-made narrative film about the Castle, and the venue’s appearances on TV shows such as “The Magician” and movies including “Lord of Illusions” have further burnished its reputation.

But the Castle also has been depicted as stodgy and out of step with the times. A 2016 episode of Netflix’s “Love” poked fun at the self-serious nature of performance magic and the venue’s strict dress code, which requires that men wear ties in the evening and suggests women bring along “elegant sweaters or shawls” due to the air-conditioning. And the magician ranks of the roughly 5,000-person academy, which members say is largely white, also are dominated by men: A 2019 study by one member found that female magician membership in the organization was 12% at the time.

In a 1970 photo, Dai Vernon performs a levitation illusion with Magic Castle co-founder Irene Larsen.

The academy’s embrace of tradition is, for some, part of its charm. However, the way it has long operated has been called into question by lawsuits from former employees.

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Reviews for "Magical Negroes in Contemporary Fiction: A Literary Analysis"

1. Emily - 2/5 - As someone who loves fantasy novels, I was excited to read "The academy of magical negroes." However, I found the story to be quite underwhelming. The concept of having a school for magical negroes was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth, and the plot was predictable. I felt like I was reading a watered-down version of other popular fantasy series. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to avid fantasy readers.

2. Tom - 1/5 - "The academy of magical negroes" was a complete letdown. The idea of exploring magical abilities and African-American culture had the potential to be a captivating read, but the book failed to deliver. The writing was mediocre, filled with clichés and stereotypes that were cringe-worthy at times. The characters were one-dimensional, and their motivations were poorly developed. The pacing was also off, making the story drag on. I was expecting much more from this book and regretted wasting my time on it.

3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to "The academy of magical negroes" but was ultimately disappointed. The plot had potential but felt disjointed, with subplots that didn't add much to the overall story. Additionally, the magical elements seemed forced and poorly explained. The characters lacked depth and their interactions felt contrived. I wanted to love this book, but it fell short of my expectations. I wouldn't recommend it to others unless they are willing to overlook its flaws.

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