They see West Indians and assume they are Afro-American because they are black
AdelaideNow... Readers' Comments: KFC chickens out and withdraws 'racist' ad
Damn racist Americans
73 public posts in this discussion.
Post 2
Bloody american cultural imperialism...
Post 3
they take things too seriously
Post 4
[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaIhf41ctkM&feature=related]
[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_StDMpVhDk&feature=email]
Rec, roll-eyes smilie. Now.
Post 5
KFC have pulled the ad..... exactly why I'm not sure, they don't want the bad press I guess. How ridiculous.
I like the actual west Indian's point of view. He's got it spot on.
Post 6
Fuckwits, is all I have to say.
Post 7
When I first saw the advert I knew someone would be offended.
I was angry, but only angry at how fucking stupid the KFC marketing team is. They should have seen that coming a mile away.
And it's my opinion that anyone who can't see why that's going to offend the fragile and daft, is just as daft as those people.
Post 8
So why have we not heard about the other ad KFC are running, where the yard gets concreted by a bunch of gentlemen of Mediterranean descent?
IMO that's just as much stereotyping as the other ad.
Anyway dumb move on KFC's part, sadly you have to cater to every single interpretation of anything these days..and be careful you don't offend anyone.
Pfft.
I needed to have the racial angle brought to my attention because all I saw was "Fuckers making noise at a cricket game, give em KFC cause everyone loves KFC and that oughtta shut em up".
Maybe KFC should sell a side of watermelon with their chicken.
KFC making you fat? Pour some Tussin on it boy!
Americans are funny.
Post 9
How is that all you saw? Let's break it down to the very simplest points, without personal interpretation...
Advert fact: a white man gives a group of noisy black people fried chicken, and now they're quiet.
Life fact: black people being lovers of fried chicken is one of the biggest racial stereotypes known to the Western world.
I don't expect you guys to take offence, we understand the context intended, but surely you can understand why people have taken offence.
Post 10
Actually I'd say the fried chicken thing is exclusively a American stereotype.
Americans are seeing people with different skin colours, Aussies we're just seeing the Windies team supporters. Making notice out of different skin colour, that is making it racist.
Post 11
Quote from rec;375905:
How is that all you saw? Let's break it down to the very simplest points, without personal interpretation...
Advert fact: a white man gives a group of noisy black people fried chicken, and now they're quiet.
Life fact: black people being lovers of fried chicken is one of the biggest racial stereotypes known to the Western world.
I don't expect you guys to take offence, we understand the context intended, but surely you can understand why people have taken offence.
if you try hard enough you will break it down to be whatever you want it to be
i agree, i saw nothing racist about it, i saw an australian cricket supporters surrounded by west indies supporters
Post 12
And Jamie, its specifically African-American black people where the fried chicken issue exists.
Post 13
Should of given them a side dish of watermelon.
Post 14
The African American fried chicken stereo type is an American stereotype.
The demographic for this ad, is not American or African American. Thus, I don't see a problem with the ad at all.
Yes, i can understand who and why they might be offended. But at the end of the day it's marketed toward a demographic who don't associate that ad with the above stereotype.
Post 15
Any publicity either good or bad is good publicity. Stupid Americans think its always about them
Post 16
I was raised in Australia - one of the most heavily American-influenced nations on the planet. Generally speaking, their stereotypes are ours, or at least we're aware of them.
And as the YouTube video comments suggest, many American's didn't even really acknowledge that they weren't African American's in the advert. They just saw black people being linked to an appreciation for fried chicken.
I'm still not sure why this surprises people. It was clear to me as soon as the advert aired that this was going to happen.
Post 17
So the Americans cannot differentiate between peoples of the world, all they see is ZOMGBLACKFOLKS.
I don't accept that American stereotypes are our stereotypes.
The yanks are just looking for something to get pissy about.
Dumb yanks can't even play cricket.
Post 18
As I said, even where their stereotypes aren't ours, we're aware of them. At least I am - most of the TV and movies I watch are from the USA.
Post 19
I'm an Australian.
I was brought up in Australia with Australian values.
I enjoy Australian, English and American TV, Movies and entertainment.
I draw the line when ANY another country dictates to us how we should or shouldn't behave.
Cultural imperialism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Post 20
I'm not arguing any of those points.
My point from the beginning is that I can see exactly why they're offended. I understand their stereotypes and for the most part their mentality. I'm not siding with them, I'm just confused as to why people are so surprised. I'm still also confused as to why people didn't see how this advert could be perceived as racial.
It was to be expected. What are you drawing a line about?
Post 21
The line is whether I get pissed off or not :)
Not much more I can do...
Post 22
I prefer to laugh. Each to their own. :P
Post 23
You need to rage against the machine every now and then - it's good for you.
Post 24
if you have to twist it around to make your point your trying to hard to find it
but now you say it, i watched a Denzel movie the other night (Dejavu) and i am thinking it is racist, i mean if you break it down they are using a black man as a guinea pig in a scientific experiment, since i enjoyed the movie should i start wearing a white hood?
Post 25
imo it denigrates west indians by comparing them to chicken loving, cotton picking, good for nothing slaves. needs more collard greens tho.
poor form.
Post 26
Re: Damn racist Americans
Pala: lol
Insid: No twisting required, just a wider perspective and understanding.
At the end of the day it's the marketer's faults. Which is the only anger I felt. It's their jobs to be sensitive to this exact kind of thing, with a global outlook, even if the content is just for one region.
It's a shame they should have to, but they do.
Post 27
Marketer #1: So there's an Australian in the middle of a group of West Indians, and have the Australian say "need a tip when you're stuck in an awkward situation?"
Marketer #2: There's a chance that'll be perceived as racist. Let's change it up a bit.
Marketer #2: Perfect. You're a fucking genius.
Post 28
Quote from rec;375926:
Pala: lol
Insid: No twisting required, just a wider perspective and understanding.
At the end of the day it's the marketer's faults. Which is the only anger I felt. It's their jobs to be sensitive to this exact kind of thing, with a global outlook, even if the content is just for one region.
It's a shame they should have to, but they do.
you call it wider perspective and understanding if you like, the ad is what it is, an Aussie in the middle of Windies supporters, if you wanna twist it to be something else to see what you want to see then maybe there is some issues you need to address
Post 29
No mate... fuck! It's what others might twist it to see (ie. the Americans in question). I foresaw exactly what others might have made of it immediately, and that's what the marketers should have seen.
The advert itself caused no feeling one way or another for me, but alarm bells were raised; it was exceptionally clear that someone was going to take it the wrong way. But then again, I am in advertising/marketing - I probably evaluate what I see and hear a bit differently because of what I do.
Post 30
Removed... Thinking about it, not such a good idea to say something like that.
Post 31
On the news last night there was a WI spokesperson, saying that she didn't find it racist or offensive in the slightest. In fact I think she said it was an accurate portrayal of west indies cricket fans.
Post 32
Most Australians/West Indians would not find it offensive or racist.
Post 33
And considering that's their intended audience - who gives a fuck if Americans are offended :P
Post 34
1. FACT: West Indians and Australians do not find this ad offensive
2. FACT: West Indians enjoy tasty treats, including fried chicken, regardless of the colour of their skin
3. FACT: If I was at the cricket and fan from another nation offered me fried chicken I would STFU and eat it
4. FACT: Americans are precious and our society shouldnt cater to their rubbish
5. FACT: Americans don't like cricket and therefore have no context for the ad
This is a classic example of hyper-racism and something that is AS damaging as racism itself.
Harden the fuck up.
Post 35
It wasn't racist until the American's MADE it about skin colour.
Post 36
I have to disagree with rec and agree with everyone else on this thread, I can't possibly see how Americans would find anything remotely racist in a white dude distributing fried chicken among a black crowd.
Post 37
I'm also personally offended that American's can't tell the difference between black West Indians and black Americans. It's not as if every Australian can't tell the difference between South American Peruvians, Brazilians, Mexicans, Guatemalans etc.
Post 38
pft.
all west indians have dreadlocks
all african americans have cornrows.
FACT.
Post 39
Quote from jimmy;375981:
3. FACT: If I was at the cricket and fan from another nation offered me fried chicken I would STFU and eat it
Harden the fuck up.
Best bits in this thread.
Oh also, the ad needs more cornbread.
Post 40
Quote from Milenko;375940:
And considering that's their intended audience - who gives a fuck if Americans are offended :P
Pretty sure KFC is American.. so as much as you or I don't give a shit. KFC might
Post 41
We should stop importing rice then; in case it promotes the Asians love rice stereotype :p
Post 42
Thread title = irony? Or is it just me?
...or unintentional hypocrisy.
Post 43
....
Post 44
If you wish to break it down further the entire KFC advertisingjuggernaught has left itself open to judgement by those that feel the need to impress their opinions on others. Some would say that is good advertising until someone like America comes in and plays the racist angle.
Several of their new adds leave things to interpretation however Australians as a whole rise above that.
1. The add where he jumps the fence at the cricket, impersonates ground security and bribes the groundsman with a Pocket or wrap. What happens to the first poor drunken spectator who jumps the fence (KFC did it, why can't I )
2. The add where he impersonates an Officer of the law and takes the tickets off a scalper and gives them to his mates. Scalping is illegal so is impersonating an officer of the law.
It makes me sick every time the Americans take their high ground approach to what they believe we meant in our advertising. next thing you know they will ban KFC ads and hey hey its Saturday.
It is an add in Australia intended for Australians and relates to an Australian ideology, the West Indian Samba or Congo crowds always annoy us and we as Australians see the pun intended.
I bet if the crow was replaced with the 'Barmy Army' and they were reduced to silence by eating KFC we wouldn't have this uproar
Post 45
Quote from craZy C;376142:
Some would say that is good advertising until someone like America comes in and plays the racist angle.
I'm not sure who would say that. In my opinion it's typically some of the worst fast-food advertising in the country.
Post 46
Quote from rec;376144:
I'm not sure who would say that. In my opinion it's typically some of the worst fast-food advertising in the country.
In the sense that Advertising is designed to get people talking about a product. KFC has come up with a campaign that has people talking. So some would say that it is good advertising.
Rec, would you have drawn the same conclusion as you have if the West Indians were replaced with the Barmey Arm....Another group noted for their presence at cricket matches????
Post 47
Well, as they say, any publicity is good publicity. You're right, we are talking about KFC. But I'm not about to go out and buy any.
I think if their marketers had a global perspective, and were truly sensitive to how so many demographics can be easily offended (or find something to be offended about), they wouldn't have used the West Indian supporters.
Post 48
Anybody remember:
[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWIM-mG2Ry4]
RACIST!
Post 49
For Jamie and his love of something (Wait till the end)
[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbRoCFlNfkQ]
And while were at it here is something a little more relevent to KFC and racism..
[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5DiZVNlndM]
Post 50
lol it's pretty much the same ad
Post 51
Avatar is apparently racist too:
Reality leaving Avatar fans feeling blue
Quote:
Meanwhile, the movie is attracting accusations of being racist by critics in the US by portraying a white man coming in to lead a community of primitive, non-white people.
\"It rests on the stereotype that white people are rationalist and technocratic while colonial victims are spiritual and athletic,\" New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote.
\"It rests on the assumption that non-whites need the White Messiah to lead their crusades.\"
But director James Cameron denied the film had an racist undertones, saying Avatar \"asks us to open our eyes and truly see others, respecting them even though they are different, in the hope that we may find a way to prevent conflict and live more harmoniously on this world\".
\"I hardly think that is a racist message,\" he added.
Fucking seriously...want to know whats racist? Condemning every fucking thing where a white guy does something that involves anyone other than another white guy.
Post 52
Re: Damn racist Americans
Ok, that one I didn't see coming. How ridiculous. :)
Post 53
Quote from Wrathlon;376324:
Fucking seriously...want to know whats racist? Condemning every fucking thing where a white guy does something that involves anyone other than another white guy.
Definately.
How can a sci-fi movie about blue aliens be racist?... fucking idiots!
Post 54
Ah, I've done some research. Apparently, they're only blue aliens when seen in 3D. If you go check it out in 2D, they're actually aboriginals.
Post 55
Quote from rec;376328:
Ah, I've done some research. Apparently, they're only blue aliens when seen in 3D. If you go check it out in 2D, they're actually aboriginals.
yeah and theres that scene where they trade the unobtainium for beads and fried chicken.
Post 56
I always thought that this movie was a political statement, and what has been created is exactly that. Social commentary. Fairly reflective of the relatively recent history of the planet.
If anyone was going to be crying racist it should be the white man. Movie made 'em look like c*nts.
Post 57
Throughout the movie the military state several times that the 'indigenous population' the Navi, yada yada yada. however there is one scene that I thought the Australian censorship group would try and edit.
It is when the general makes the comment about obliterating these God Damn Aboriginals.
The english definaition of the word Aborigiinal is as follows:
•of or pertaining to members of the indigenous people of Australia; "an Aboriginal rite"
•Aborigine: a dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived
•native: characteristic of or relating to people inhabiting a region from the beginning; "native Americans"; "the aboriginal peoples of Australia"
•native: an indigenous person who was born in a particular place; "the art of the natives of the northwest coast"; "the Canadian government scrapped plans to tax the grants to aboriginal college students"
•having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state; "aboriginal forests"; "primal eras before the appearance of life on earth"; "the forest primeval"; "primordial matter"; "primordial forms of life"
There are many articles about the net in relation to the polital undertones of the movie and most of them are American.
So why havnt the Americans come to the defence of the Australian Aborignal, or for that matter why hasn't our Radical do gooders started complaining...........
Post 58
Aboriginal might be associated with Australian Aboriginals here but in general use the word refers to any native people of anywhere.
Post 59
Know that Wrathlon, my point was.
The Americans seem to be the first these days to slam anything they think is racist. Even if it does not directly effect them. In Australia we utilise the term Aboriginal for our Indiginous population and nothing else so that comment could be taken as derogatory towards our Aboriginal population.
Post 60
Yeah just pointing out that because its a different meaning to them they wouldn't pick up on it or even know it.
Yes it's hypocritical given the KFC thing.
Post 61
I'm with Crazy on this one and with Rec ranting about how he could see the KFC ad being portrayed as racism (even if he didn't) I am wondering why with a line like that in the movie he is surprised that people are getting offended... no matter how stupid it is. I also agree in that the white man is the latest racial target. WHEN DID WE BECOME THE MINORITY!?
Post 62
Quote from r00t|{it;376352:
WHEN DID WE BECOME THE MINORITY!?
White man is the minority... at least worldwide.
:)
Post 63
We just happen to be better, even in smaller numbers.
(that's a joke. please, no e-bashing)
Post 64
I'm sure there's not a race alive that doesnt believe their race is the best.
It's human nature.
Post 65
Re: Damn racist Americans
Really? Are you serious? I most certainly don't think my race or I are any better than Asians, Africans, Indians or any other. Absolutely not.
In fact, if anything, I'd say I think the contrary. In many regards, I often envy values, culture etc. and wish we'd take a page from their books.
Post 66
thankfully, you dont speak for the entire race.
Post 67
I'm telling the American press about that reply. :P
Post 68
most other races don't bother with such useless conversations. they are too busy having culture, and like, doing shit to sit around and talk about who is racist or the best or the worst. everyone hates Americans. except Americans. everyone else is fine. that's what Ive have seen in all the places i have been too.
Post 69
what a topic this turned issue. My main problem with the banning of the ad for racism. It is only racist if you impose American culture references onto an add that was produced for an Australian audience.
Post 70
Quote from morge;376460:
It is only racist if you impose American culture references onto an add that was produced for an Australian audience.
It's not really racist until it's pointed out. lol.
Post 71
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
Post 72
Quote:
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
Well that depends, is it a tree native to an area that an American may have had little or no interest in ?
Post 73
Well played sir, well played.