squatterjohn
aka I'm supposed to care but I never make you scream is a boy, has been a member since July 13, 2007, has scored 1,432 submissions, giving an average score of 2.67, helping 106 designs get printed.
So looks like I didn't get into my Library course, which means back to Uni instead. Which is fine really, because I'd rather have a degree than some shitty diploma but it does mean I'll be studying more esoteric bullshit.
So I have to get an idea for a thesis together. It'll be something to do with culture and globalisation and stuff. I'm just testing the waters now, but I'd like your help with something that happened today-ish.
If you please, could you watch this video then answer four simple questions for me?
Please try to have your answers before reading other peoples'.
1. Is this racist? Yes/No
2. Where are you from?
3. Where do you think the characters in the advertisement are from?
4. What gives you the impression that they are from there?
Sorry if this seems "serious" or anything but it'd be a big help if you do this for me, thanks!!
Well yes, of course, but lets ignore the obvious underlying Australian racism, is her anything additionally racist about it? Like, something so racist that even an Australian would find it racist ;D?
4 australia from colour of his clothes which are green n gold showing he is a supporter of aussie cricket and west indies cos that is who we are versing atm
Also, fried chicken sounds really freaking good right now.
4 australia from colour of his clothes which are green n gold showing he is a supporter of aussie cricket and west indies cos that is who we are versing atm
Also, fried chicken sounds really freaking good right now.
If racism is, according to dictionary.com, a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others I don't think that this is specifically racist. It doesn't really obviously suggest that one of the races present is superior to the other -- the commercial's "humour" plays on the 'inherent differences' between races, but doesn't present a heirarchy, unless you count that there is a problem and it is 'solved' by White Guy.
2. Canada. (In Canada, I'm guessing this ad would have already been taken off the air. I think we're sensitive not to just racist things, but anything that even identifies people by a certain race, you know? Like, suggesting that being the only white person in group of people of a different race might be an awkward situation, would probably be percived as racist or at least insensitive. And even remotely associating fried chicken with black people, however nebulous the connection, is like, blaaat! blaat! blaaat! flashing red lights! etc.)
3. Australia, Trinidad?
4. His accent, and the steelpan I automatically associate with Trinidad. I guess I could open it up the Caribbean but my first thought was Trinidad.
As a side note, I think it might have considerably less potential for misunderstanding if the viewer was aware of the AUS/W. INDIES cricket deal (as I imagine most AUS would be).
Thanks guys, long explanations are fine, especially on question 4 though I would prefer the Yes/No on question 1. But this is very interesting and you've all been very helpful. Thanks!
1. No though it's clear why some people may think it is
2. UK
3. Australia/Jamaica
4. He was quite obviously Australian from his accent and clothing, and I initially thought the rest of the crowd was Jamazican from what they were wearing and the connection with steel drums (though I now know from reading comments they're from the West Indies)
4. He was quite obviously Australian from his accent and clothing, and I initially thought the rest of the crowd was Jamazican from what they were wearing and the connection with steel drums (though I now know from reading comments they're from the West Indies
jamaica is one of the islands that makes up the west indian cricket team
No its not racist, and Australian's are definitely not racist. the USA takes Australians the wrong way due to its OWN racist background. If the USA wears 'racist' coloured glasses, they will only ever see the rest of the world through these lenses. Australian culture is very complex and you can only understand it by living there. Americans have got to stop trying to find the 'racism' in everything...
4 australia from colour of his clothes which are green n gold showing he is a supporter of aussie cricket and west indies cos that is who we are versing atm
You're currently playing Pakistan - but I guess they're ALL the same to you Australians.
haha, ok, I really need to say this. sj, I was wondering why you would even ask if it was racist, because I thought "no" at first. after a couple of viewings, I was like "OHHHHH fried chicken, I can see that..." and then I got lost in thought.
when Dad was a young man, his folks had a pretty big house. for a while in the early '70s, they rented out some of the spare rooms. one time they let a room to a young Marine stationed nearby. And he was black. Now, make no mistake, Gramma was happy to rent to this man. She was a sweet soul, and would never intentionally offend anyone. However, she grew up sheltered and privileged, in an old-fashioned family, with all that that implies. As she showed him around the house, she pointed out his allocated space in the refrigerator. "It's a good size," she said apologetically, "but I'm afraid it won't be big enough for any chickens or watermelons."
Dad said he was in the next room, writhing in embarrassment. he noted that the Marine, after a pause, had the largesse to thank her and assure her that it would be more than enough for his needs.
XD this commercial & conversation only makes me think of that precious moment.
Well to an American with no knowledge of cricket or the Australian Ghanian relations it could look kinda suspicious. Out of context it looks like a white guy looking very uncomfortable to be surrounded by a black crowd, and then trying to appease them with fried chicken.
well my first guess was simply that he's supporting the wrong country/ team, so that's why it's an awkward situation. But I guess you could call it unintentionally insensitive.
Jan 07 '10 by
Tonteau on Jan 07 '10 at 8:04am
