I am going through some writers block and blogger burnout issues right now, but sometimes shit just comes to me out of nowhere and when I least expect it. This morning I am trying to watch the Wimbledon finals (which was a great match by the way) and in the middle of that sucker, one of my boys calls me to rant about the Geico caveman commercials. "Yo field, don't you think that shit is racist? " So easy a caveman could do it. You know what they are saying right?" "Ahhh no player I don't" "That the cave man is really a brother. What they are really saying is that the shit is so easy that even a black man can do it. Yo field I am telling you man that's some racism going on there, you ought to blog about that shit."
I hate to disappoint my Sunday morning caller, but I won't be blogging about that. I do, however, want to thank him for making me think about something that's always kind of bothered me. No, not the Geico commercial--- I actually think that shit is funny. But race and television commercials. Why is it, for instance, that there is always a black couple or person in damn near every television commercial? As if there is some race screening committee reviewing those bad boys before they can get on the air. Honestly, I find that shit a little unsettling, and I think it gives a false reality of race relations in America. " Oh field, you are never satisfied, if there were not enough black people on television you would be talking about the lack of black people represented in that medium. Us white folks just can't win with you people." Mmmmm, I honestly have to think about that one for a minute. Would I bitch and moan, or would I not? If I lived in the fifties when the only black folks I would see in print was on Ebony, or some national figure in Life Magazine, or the only black people I saw on television was in a freaking Tarzan movie, would I have been bitching and moaning? Yep, color me a hypocrite, because I probably would have been bitching and moaning big time.
I guess "Charlie" is in a tough spot with this one. I don't know, I just think they (The advertisers) go over board with the; we gotta stick a black person in here shtick. Two yuppie couples out on the town with no other black people in the sight. But of course one of the couples is a black one. Hey, you just can't go out on the town without your black friends. Guys out on a camping trip downing some brews before the bear comes out of the woods, yep, there is the token black guy running away (in the lead of course) with all his white pals. High class wedding reception in the Hamptons, look around a little.... there they are, the token black couple, sipping champagne in the back ground.
Hey, before you calling me a "racialist" [like that word?] I am not the only one with these issues. Apparently it's a problem across the pond; and white bloggers have noticed it when they feel that white men have been unfairly portrayed in commercials as well. So this is some deeper shit we are talking about here. Commercials are made to sell products to people, and if advertisers feel that sticking a black person in a commercial will help the product they are pushing sell better, well, that might actually say something good about us. On the other hand, if they are only doing it to be PC, and not get Jessie and Al on their ass, well then it really doesn't mean shit now does it. Especially if it doesn't effect the sales of the product.
One thing that has always bothered me is all the Cadillac, McDonald's, and beer commercials on television when there is a black awards show, or a movie about black people. Not to mention the all black cast in them. Why don't they stick some white tokens in those commercials? Do they think black folks wouldn't buy the products if they did? Or don't white people go to McDonald's?
Honestly, they need some new blood or some folks grounded in reality making all those big advertising decisions. I don't know what the problem is, especially since that shit looks so easy that I bet even a cave man could do it.
53 comments:
My issue is the BIG BLACK WOMAN that seems to proliferate in commercials these days. Just another Mammy stereotype.
Though the best commercial that I've seen in awhile is the Disney commercial with the Black Grandfather and Grandson who are talking in sign language. That commercial wouldn't have existed 5 years ago let alone 30.
But, I'm tired of the Black Mammy stereotype in commercials these days.
Yeah I have noticed that as well and also think if it was the other way I would still think the things I thing. Commercial are so full of sterotypes it isn't funny. Pay attention to any commercial aimed at children. any black person has one-to all of the following. Jersey, chain, braids, and is most likely moving the hands in a way to suggest gang signs. or if aimed at adults there is always a token black, and he/ she is always the one who doesn't get what ever it is to get, speaks in slang, is puttin people down in an agressive way, and has a stupid grin on their face.
my guess is that when programs , award shows that are targeting an urban audience (i.e. black) there is an african american advertising agency responsible for all the advertising.
and it's their job to deliver that ads that will appeal to corporate and the audience
hence black out advertising.
uniworld
burrell
chisholm-mingo
are just a few that are probably responsible for these campaigns.
i have another problem with commercials beyond the racial bias...it's the way that men (regardless of race) are prepared as doofuses when it comes to cleaning.
I mean come on. It's 2007...are all mean allergic to cleaning products?
a bit OT but had to mention it.
i have another problem with commercials beyond the racial bias...it's the way that men (regardless of race) are PORTRAYED as doofuses when it comes to cleaning.
I mean come on. It's 2007...are all mean allergic to cleaning products?
I remember when there were no black people in commercials except when Soul Train was on so I guess I'm sort of glad that these actors are actually working. I hate feeling that way. I guess though, those advertisers are trying to keep it real with the token black person, because that's how it is with most white people. They maybe know like one black couple and only invite that one couple over. If they knew two black couples, their white friends might start getting nervous so that's why there's only one. You know, get too many of us together and we might form a gang or something. What gets me is that the black folks in the commercials don't even look like most of the black folks I know and am related to. For the most part, very few darker skinned folks, most of the women have that fake-ass spiral curl look. And I agree with you on the commercials during award shows. They're insulting. "Hope You Become An Alcoholic brand malt liquor salutes you black people, so keep on buyin' shawty a drank!" And Rikyrah is so right about the Mammy thing. If it's a cleaning commercial (the Mr. Clean and ones get on my last nerves) then it's totally some fat and happy black woman just sniffin' the fresh air like that's all she has to live for.
"hate feeling that way. I guess though, those advertisers are trying to keep it real with the token black person, because that's how it is with most white people. They maybe know like one black couple and only invite that one couple over. If they knew two black couples, their white friends might start getting nervous "
LMAO at that statement!
i am not star jones you write like you are in the business, so I am deferring to your comments about the black ad agencies. That makes sense.
c-dell and rikyrah, the "Black mammy" and other stereotypes are real, not only in ads but in movies as well. See Big Momma's House, and Norbert as examples.
Now you all got me thinking. I was up on that Mammy shit. And the Geiko caveman deal is something worth looking at. All you really need is a starting point or phrase as I have heard it "angry successful black man".
Well the cavemen are that, but also in our accepting intolerant society very unlikely to be all that successful. It may be racist, but its also clever. Its a very clever way of showing white people a stereotype they have given a certain people without really laying out much more than that.
But this I do not think even the creators of the commercials are aware of.
And how will it transfer to sit-com format. That will be yet to see.
-=t=-
I hate Norbirt and big mamas house.
Oh that's right, what does that say about Eddie Murphy, or Martin Laurence?
-=t=-
See Big Momma's House, and Norbert as examples.
If Norbit DID cost Eddie Murphy his Oscar, then GOOD! I was for him, until they released that film. Eddie is NOT some strugging artist. He is NOT some actor just ' lucky for a job'. He could have said NO to disrespecting Black women; he didn't.
So, no better for him.
Oh that's right, what does that say about Eddie Murphy, or Martin Laurence?
Martin Laurence can't seem to get box office success unless he's dressed as a woman...make your own conclusions from that. He needs to develop his own material, if that's the best he can do.
Liz said "You know, get too many of us together and we might form a gang or something." -- This is so on point. The problem is though I think many black people are afraid of rolling together anyway in front of white people incase they appear too militant (in the UK for sure).
Field, thanks for mentioning the UK in your post. for one, there are barely ANY black people on TV. if there are adverts with black people, it tends to be of famous high-profile Black British people like the comedian Lenny Henry advertising some TV show and of course, he is a big time coon. It is aggravating but there is nothing we can do, right?
This is kind of on-topic but not. I saw the recent issue of UK Harper's Bazaar. Thandie Newton was on the cover! I was excited thinking "Wow, an establishment magazine has finally cottoned on to the fact that there are black British people around". Then I looked at the whole magazine. She was the only woman of colour in the WHOLE thing. Disgusting but hardly surprising.
I couldn't agree more. There are negroes in every commercial I see and I'm always thinking would they really be there. Interesting to see white folks perspective of the WAMU commercials on that link. If you read some of the comments though you can already see where they are headed. And you couldn't be more right about the "black commercials" during Black award shows and whatnot, I'm Black and I hate McDonalds' can we have a Quizno commercial or something.
What really bothers me is that whenever is there is a black family on a commercial, here comes the annoying stereotypes of the loud mouth bossy mammy or saphire woman.
I agree with the earlier post about men being portrayed ad idiots in the commercials. If the men are idiots, then their wives and girlfriends are either portrayed as control freaks or surrogate mothers.
You got me thinking about that Clorox commercial where it shows the women doing the laundry throughout time. They slip that line in there about "your grandmother did it, your mother did it...and occasionally a man has done it..." Even today, advertisers fall on that old image where men don't do any cleaning.
Ad agencies definitely need some fresh blood in their ranks, if this is the best they can do.
And another thing, Have you noticed that biracial people seem to be the tokens of choice in TV advertising?
You will either see an ad which features a "typical" black family. The husaband and wife are dark skinned with african features. But the children are obviously mixed and do not resemble the parents.
Or you will see an ad that will have a biracial person (one who looks almost white and has bushy, curly hair)with a group of whites and maybe a latino or asian in the mix. You do not see the biracial person paired w/ somoneone or see what their family looks like. I guess the ad agencies are too afraid to show an interracial family on tv
I
I agree entirely with the interracial kids=good interracial families=no thanks as far as commercials are concerned. Showing such things would require Americans to admit two realities they are hostile to:
1. Black men can be just as worthy of love (instead of lust)as any other human being and white women sometimes want to marry them and not just fuck them.
2. Black women are beautiful and sometimes white men want to marry them and not just fuck them.
I know! its MADNESS.
/sarcasm.
Oh and I'm pretty sure they shoot the same commercials with couples of different races, depending on the region. The reason you and I see black people in so many commericals Field, is because you live in Philadelphia and I live in DC. You won't see that shit in Utah.
I think the GEICO Caveman commercials are trying to get people uncomfortable with using the internet to realize it's not that difficult. I've heard Information Technology staffers refer to the personal computer challenged staff, who tend to be older, as trogs. Short for troglodytes - prehistoric cave dwellers. GEICO, like most businesses, can cut their costs by moving towards a more paperless process. So, I agree Field, no racism was intended.
I too have noticed the increase in blacks in tv advertising. Even though I try to avoid watching commercials because I think most are condescending and deceptive, I applaud the inclusion of more blacks. When we demand equality, we also open ourselves up to being equally part of the marketing con.
This con involves target ads, including black only ads during "black" events and different actors for the same ad to "match" the demographics of the areas where they will be aired.
I am not fond of shopping and, other than buying food, don't do it often. When a birthday or other event arises where I need to purchase a gift, I check the print ads. If the retailer doesn't include any black models, I don't shop there. My thought is if you're not willing to pander to me for my dollar, I'll go with the one who does. After all, in most instances, it's the same product for the same price. At least pretend as if my patronage is important to you.
Field, did you catch the NAACP Image Awards a few years back that were sponsored by KFC? Now THAT was disappointing.
It's amazing to read the comments here about the ads and how different people interpret what they see. It's funny how two people can see the very same thing and come away with two totally different takes on it.
First of all, I'm just glad that today we can argue about the numbers of Blacks in commercials, it wasn't that long ago when all we had was Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima, and Bill Cosby. But you know some people are gonna complain no matter what. Commercials are 30 seconds of whatever these people think will sell their product. If all they showed was slim Black women then people would complain, where are the big Black women? It never ends. But think about it the majority of Black women today are overweight, is that due to the advertisers? I go to a lot of Black events and at everyone of them 70 percent of the women are overweight. We have a problem here that no one wants to talk about. Why are so many of our women overweight?
The caveman thing is a stretch even for the internet. Remember they invented TV for the commercials, not the other way around. They write the shows not to get you to watch the shows, but to watch the commercials. There are certain demographics they go for and so they write the shows for those people to tune in and they can sell them stuff, simple. Plus, they know we are going to buy stuff anyway, no matter who's in the commercials...
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. - Daniel Patrick Moynihan
The Disputed Truth
"But think about it the majority of Black women today are overweight, is that due to the advertisers? I go to a lot of Black events and at everyone of them 70 percent of the women are overweight. We have a problem here that no one wants to talk about. Why are so many of our women overweight?"
Ouch!
Ladies please address your e-mails to "forgiven" :)
Forgiven,
I can't speak for all black women, but we so fat cuz:
For the most part we are working outside the home; taking care of the children; maintaining the household; and, being depicted as unattractive to our men (who then confirm it by salivating over non-negresses) that it is just easier to serve up fast food and sit. On. Our. Tired. Asses. You know that ass, the one that is larger than most women’s to begin with.
We are stressed my brother!!!!!!! Scientific studies are currently being disseminated that indicate stress is a leading contributor to obesity.
I hope this was insightful. If you need statistics, try Goggle.
We are stressed my brother!!!!!!! Scientific studies are currently being disseminated that indicate stress is a leading contributor to obesity.
I can understand that, but I would venture to guess a more deep seated issue that you touched on before you went fast food on me. That is that today so many of our women feel unattractive. Think about it, the reason men take baths, buy fancy cars, and get them processes on their hair is to be attractive to women. The reason women try to remain thin, get their hair and nails done is to be attractive to men. The reason so many of our women have stopped trying to be thin is that they have given up on our sorry ass men. But in giving up on our men you have also given up on yourselves and to life...
See, we must find beauty and love in ourselves for ourselves I want to be healthy for me, cause I love me...
wow field, I can't really figure out what your beef is... too many black people in commercials? not enough? too much integration? not enough? i so cornfuzed...
Actually, Forgiven and I Am Not Star Jones are on the money with their comments. Pick up last month's Black Enterprise; they do a rundown of the top "diversity friendly" big corporations, and one of the metrics is amount of ad dollars spend with minority-owned ad agencies. These agencies are NOT engaged to create white-only copy and spots.
And even the white ad agencies are sentitive to the need to display some diversity... they call it "ethnic", as in, "we need some ethnics in this one"... and so they'll hold a casting call and let the white account execs flirt with the fine sisters that are only too happy to flirt back in hopes of nailing that lucrative "national spot" with the attendant recurring residual payments.
Heh. They call 'em "spots"...
ah, I better re-iterate... the account execs are both male and female, and not only the fine sisters but the fine brothas will happily play the game!
"wow field, I can't really figure out what your beef is... too many black people in commercials? not enough? too much integration? not enough? i so cornfuzed..."
paul, I AM confused; that's why I blog aobut it. It's kind of my way of thinking out loud!
Hey, at least I have posters and fellow bloggers like you and others who keep me straight ;)
Forgiven, most people in America are fat. Doesn't matter what color they are.
In my experience (and yeah, I gotta lose weight) I find that eating at a fast food restaurant is easier on my paycheck than going out and buying a weeks worth of groceries. Food is expensive these days.
I'm from Southeast Michigan, where almost everyone regardless of race has weight issues. In my tiny town we have about 20 fast food restaurants and a bunch of the "themed" restaurants like Applebees and The Outback.
I don't watch a lot of T.V., so the only black guy that comes to my mind in commercials is the guy from AllState. He doesn't seem to be placating to any stereotypes. Haven't seen any others, though.
As for white people in commercials, I really, really hate Smiling Bob from the Enzyte commercials. If all white people acted like that, I'd have to kill myself just so there'd be one less on this Earth.
There's always been sexism in commercials geared towards women because in many family households, the women still do most of the shopping, so the ad companies want to appeal to them. It's why men are usually portrayed as stupid and are lucky to have women in their lives that keep them from dying by drinking the drain cleaner (as opposed to, you know, cleaning)!
Forgiven, most people in America are fat. Doesn't matter what color they are.
So based on this logic if most people were criminals or whatever...
I agree in America we have issues with weight, but I am not that interested in the majority population because you have enough other checks and balances. Hell all you have to do is turn on the TV or go to a movie to see those anorexic women they continue to parade out...
I'm only saying why is it that the few women in the "hood" that are not over weight are "smokin crack"? That's all I'm saying
Hi Field - great, thought provoking post. Since I don't see any other Euro-Americans, I will play the token role but will clear the &^#$ out if another shows up, lest there be two in the same room, making folks uncomfortable. [/snark]
The presence of disproportionally high number of black commercial actors/characters never occurred to me. But I live in Maryland, the home of a very large Black and fairly prosperous community. Maryland is 1/3 black, more so if you add the DC in which MD surrounds on three sides. Prince George's County stands out as the only county in U.S. history that went from majority white to majority black AND increased in income and wealth at the same time.
My morning yuppie commuter train? About 2/3 of the passengers at my suburban station are African-American suburbanites making enough to afford a $150/month train ticket, gasoline and a car note to drive to the Halethorpe station. That train's full route starts in majority Black Baltimore, makes three stops (among others) in majority-Black Prince George's County and terminates in majority-Black DC. But Maryland is not the U.S.
2. At a talk at Princeton, Cornel West once noted that among the first roles that Black actors could get in Hollywood and on TV were roles and characters reinforcing the dominant power structure - cops, judges, school principals, etc. Perhaps this plays in to your theme in some way.
All the best.
WHY CANT A GOOD ACTOR GET SOME WORK, DAYUM!
Folks,
Let me start by telling you how impressed I am at the level of conversation and intelligent commentary that I have seen in this forum about this topic...
When it is all said and done, I think sometimes we forget what commercials are for...selling you stuff..period. What we have seen is to this point is caused by a society that has become so materialistic and obsessed with consumerism that we have allowed the shortsightedness of these soulless marketing execs go unpunished.
The bottom line is that no matter how offended we get by commercials, we still go out and buy shit. The secret has been out for a long time, The black dollar is up for grabs for everyone except other black business. I think its just a matter of the suits targeting the hottest market.
Take women, for example - the hottest advertising market there is. Nowadays, most sit-coms(just longer commercials) on TV are about some bright, witty woman and the big dumb moron that would be nothing without her. Those shows are popular with women and advertisers pay the most money for those spots so they can reach women viewers.
Its a really simple science - the minute we stop buying shit and driving the consumer market , you won't see in these commercials any more.
Amen, Tyrone.
I'm only saying why is it that the few women in the "hood" that are not over weight are "smokin crack"? That's all I'm saying
Forgiven, i have a response: Um....what?:)
One thing I've noticed is that, most of the time, blacks (in print or online ads especially) can't be average black folks. They need to have an interesting hairstyle, or they are wearing uber-hip intellectual looking glasses, and they are often hanging around lots of white friends.
Another topic hinted at here, is women vs men in commercials these days. I don't know about men and cleaning and all of that, but it does seem like most men in commercials (and many TV shows) these days are made out to look dumb or weak. They're either not sure about themselves, or they don't know what they're doing.
"Ladies please address your e-mails to "forgiven" :)" (Field Negro)
Now, Field, that's hilarious. I guess you say, don't put me in that ish!
Earlier this evening, when I got home from work, I wrote a real quick yet straight on response to Forgiven's comment. But blogger gobbled it right up. (I guess Blogger was acting like black women this evening.) Well, I didn't have the energy to redo it. And I certainly don't now. But I'm going to make it a point to write it before I leave this house in the morning. I got to get that out of my soul. You know what I'm saying? And now that I read the most recent comments, Forgiven has given me more to work with.
Forgiven, I'm sorry. But I will have to address this. But I won't be nasty though. That's not my style.
Check you good folks in the morning. I have 4 hours before I have to get back up for work. (frown)
Um, I have 3.5 hours before I have to get up. Goodness!
I would be interested to hear any responses. I am rather disappointed at the level of responses so far. If you can't say amen, just say ouch!
We as a community need to begin to deal with the unhealthy lifestyles we lead, so what if the the majority population is overweight they can afford to be fat, dumb, and happy. Unfortunately we can't, there is too much work to do. Our people and our children need us, to present positive images reaffirming life...I look forward to your responses.
Cmon field, I never took you for being afraid...:-)
"Cmon field, I never took you for being afraid...:-)"
Hey man, "hell hath no fury.."
Don't even try to get me down that road. I will talk about ANYTHING and ANYONE but a black woman's weight :)
Show your right...
forgiven,
I am approaching this in an unPC way. I hope that I don't insult you or any women that read this post.
First, Black men are fat too.
One problem is we don't understand food; because being conscious, we have given up pork and slave food. Our substitutions are way more fatter. For example we don't put that 1.5 once of salt pork in our greens any more, but 8 onces of turkey butts or neck bones. We have increased the fat over five times, but because it ain't pork, we think its healthy. The fat molecule is the same and is absorbed the same and so is the salt.
Like the rest of Americans, we like fast food.
Speaking of stress. Food may also be a substitute for love and/or sex. Do black men ever think that a black women just may not be satisfied, do you ever ask? Do you really want to know the answer? Do you tell her you love her and not just signify or do you cause more stress by re-enforcing her insecurities?
Early dieting sets the stage for the constant battle with weight; this starts as a teen. Sometime it is not the media influence, but from an over zealous doctor, making one think that diet over exercise is better for 10lbs.
I wonder if you have that tummy bulge and love handles.
PICTURE,PICTURE!!
Advertisers are just taking the safe approach. If there were a disproportionately large amount of white actors in commercials, blacks would be angry. Whites arent angry when there are a disproportionate number of black actors in commercials because to complain would be racist.
I wonder if you have that tummy bulge and love handles.
PICTURE,PICTURE!!
My picture is posted on my blog. I ain't got no shame! ;-)
Yo, field, first time I've seen your blog - I like it!
As a pooor white dude, I've always noticed how they put a black family, or a black woman, in almost every kind of car commercial.
I've always interpreted this message (correctly, I think) as being, "See, even a Black Guy can afford this car. You're as responsible and credit-worthy as a Black Guy, right?"
Alas, I'm not.
On the street, McDonald's tactics would be called "hustling". McDonald's is now engaging hip-hop artists to promote their junk food and dollar item menu, so if the kids don't die from the gangbanging and sex, they will from obesity, diabetes and rotten teeth. Let's be real and show the Cadillac and pimpin music with Ronald at the wheel!
"Marketing experts say McDonald's, which has long been proud of its inclusive advertising, is among the most shrewd when it comes to reaching blacks and Hispanics. The company's ads aimed at black consumers tend to be stylish and use hip contemporary language and music, mostly promoting unhealthy junk food.
"Look who's trying to add some flavor to her life," says a young black man wearing an earring, silver chain and baseball hat that match his sweatsuit as he eyes a black woman dressed in a business suit ordering a Spicy Chicken Sandwich. The ad, which ran on BET, the TV One cable network and "The Bernie Mac Show" on Fox, was created by Burrell Communications, the Chicago-based agency that does most of McDonald's advertising for black consumers." (New York Times, Melanie Warner)
Salads or No, Cheap Burgers Revive McDonald's, New York Times, Melanie Warner: 4/19/2006.
http://www.parentsjury.org.au/tpj_browse.asp?ContainerID=salads_or_no
hey field negro, those movies like Big momma's house, and norbert, and madeia arent made for you stupid white people to come watch. those movies were made for any black person because we all know at least one big momma or one madeia It's something only "us black people" can understand, so FUCK YOU!!!
Hey, Jb, that is NOT what those commercials are saying. they are trying to put a variety of races in commercials, you IDIOT! You ALL need to get lives and stop annalysing commercials in your own little RACIST way. The people who do the commercials do not want to seem racist, like all of y'all, so they include different races in their commercials, and if you are too RACIST to handle that there's some successfull black people that aren't thugs or hoes, but that are good enough to get into a commercial then you can go FUCK OFF because it'll just get "worse" (which is really better)!!!
Okay I'm late to the game and I haven't read all the posts before but having had experience in advertising I can say that commercials shown during a given time slot are geared toward the demographic that watches that particular show. So if I'm watching UPN on Monday night I will see one VERSION of a commercial that has black actors, while Fox may show the exact same commercial with white actors, and LOGO (Lesbian/Gay channel) will show that commerical with a gay couple. It's all about targeted marketing.
only house negroes agree with the stereotypes in Tyler Perry's crap movies, so fuck you anon!
aww poor black man in a rich white world.... what's the f is next? did we color asprin white b/c it works?
Let us not miss the bigger picture--one of those token blacks stepped out of one of those commercial and is now running for president.
For 20 years we've seen an increase in token blacks in commercials--all presented as black white people: eloquent, well dress, well behaved, everything blacks aren't in real life. In movies they have been the judges, the police chiefs, the FBI agents, the lead scientist, doctors, the president of the United States, God... not the crook, the pimp, the drug dealer, the deadbeat father, in jail... as statistics accurately portrays.
Guilty whites always tried to make blacks into something they are not--white. Authentic black achievements in music and sport weren't enough. Black had to be the quintessential eloquent in a suit-and-tie white person. Obama stepped into that part, 20 years in the making, and we've been so conditioned that no one has even noticed.
I started reading this blog because I ran into the link in a FORUM that I frequent and the very first paragraph caught my attention:
"....one of my boys calls me to rant about the Geico caveman commercials. "Yo field, don't you think that shit is racist? " So easy a caveman could do it. You know what they are saying right?" "Ahhh no player I don't" "That the cave man is really a brother. What they are really saying is that the shit is so easy that even a black man can do it. Yo field I am telling you man that's some racism going on there, you ought to blog about that shit." (Field)
After reading the initial blog, I was surprised aat the turn that the responses took. Although I realize that the rest of the blog moved on to advertisers and their methods/goals, it surprised me to see that the initial issue was barely addressed.
That issue, in my opinion is that there are some people that do not seem to be disturbed by the fact that there is plenty of apparent and implied racism around so they feel that they have to create more to reinforce their feelings of persecution.
The caveman, in my opinion has always represented the doomed backward society that was not able to adapt to change therefore it surrendered to evolution. Where does this imply a specific race or gender?
If you equate the caveman with the implication that your race is being criticized, the problem lays not in the advertiser; it is in your racist way of thinking.
BTW This will show up as ANONYMOUS because I am not a registered user; however, I am NOT the same user that has been telling others to F-Off. I believe that everyone has the right to express his/her opinion without being cursed out by someone who doesn't agree with them. Afterall, this is still America.
black couples, not any more. all you see is a black guy with a white lady be it talking, dancing , dining or any other activity. the media is marketing mixed couples Especially black guys with white ladies.
see, thought crime
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