I saw this posted on e-the people, and thought it would be interesting to get everybody's opinion. I have to wonder what would have happened in each of these cases had the races been reversed. http://www.e-thepeople.org/a-national/article/14027/view In theory, we should be treating one another with equality, but at times, I have found myself questioning the actions of sports stars and liquor distributors. The two examples I cite point to humorous comments (or at least comments intended to be humorous) that when placed under a more critical lens reveal potential double standards with regard to racism. I would be interested in hearing the ETP community reaction to these examples and hear what if anything the individuals who contribute here suggest for addressing issues of racism (or perceived racism) in the coming years. Shaquille O'Neil - The dominating superstar center from the LA Lakers is accustomed to being a fan favorite. When the lead for All Star balloting was taken over by phenom Yao Ming, Shaq was asked for his reaction. His comments included faux Chinese phrases, intended to make light of Yao's popularity. A number of people have commented that the remarks are insenitive and even racist as they belittle the young Chinese center's heritage. Shaq has since apologized for the comments, but one is forced to wonder what the reaction would be had the tables been turned and a player was making derisive comments about Shaq, or another Afican American player. Smirnoff Ice - This is in relations to a commercial I occasionally see while watching 'must see tv'. It involves a handful of young African American men reviewing a video tape from their successful party, presumably from the night before. They are scoping the crowd, and then become alarmed when they notice two white men dancing, and the man who appears to be the host questions there presence at the party. Although there has been little (or no) commentary on this, it made me wonder what the reaction would be had their races had been reversed. Please let me know your thoughts, as I have been struggling to understand if these actions are indeed harmless and humorous.
I'd like to know what would be a commericial where the roles were reversed that would be the same thing. IIRC, the commercial is making fun of their dancing, which looked pretty damn funny. What's something that white people could make fun of black people like that? It's good natured ribbing, IMO, not a negative racist thing.
If the races were reversed, Jesse Jackson would be attempting to position himself in front of every tv camera in America. This assumes that at the time, he's not busy visiting Iraq, cheating on his wife or insulting Jews, however.
The commercial had 4 black guys reviewing tape from their party the previous night. The owner of the house spots two white guys there, and questions each one of his friends as to who invited "those guys?" Had Biff, Todd and two of his friends been sitting around and spotted two black guys on the tape and Biff would have asked his friends who let "those guys" in...melee would have ensued. Bet on it.
I never thought anything about it, except that it was a pretty funny commercial. I still recall them dancing and stuff, they definitely weren't just standing there.
www.smirnoffice.com The white dudes are dancing doing the funny white boy dance. The funny thing about this commercial is that it is making fun of the black guys also... "Pookie, T-Money, Romeo". Seriously though, if the shoe was on the other foot, there would be some serious $hit hitting the fan.
But what would it be? Give me an example of something that would be similar that black people should laugh at like we should laugh at like this?
Darn, no edit: Sonny, you did say that they were making fun of black guys as well. I don't remember any uproar about it.
Well it is the typical way that black men are characterized, similar to the white guys dancing. The part that is offensive is the reaction the white guys being there. If it was reversed and white guys editing a country music video and then reacting in such a way to two black rappers in the video "Hey C-Bass, Cletus and Earl..." Things would not be cool.
See, I disagree. If it was obvious that it was supposed to be a country music thing and two rappers were in it, I don't think anyone would freak out.
Yes, you are right. There is a double standard. It is very easy for people to find comments or jokes towards black people and the black culture very offensive. It makes people be super- careful and super politically correct. BUT- do you really want to apply this standard to ALL races? Do you want any comment towards Asians, whites and Hispanics to be scrutinized to the same degree? Do you want everyone to be super careful when discussing the differences between Asians and Latinos, for example? Personally, I don't. I would prefer people to be respectful but also free to make humorous, harmless jokes regarding race, religion, sex, etc. I am Hispanic, and jokes don't bother me. Every so often there are jokes on sitcoms about Hispanics, sometimes it's funny, sometimes it isn't. But I'm rarely offended. I enjoy them, in fact. Yes, a double standard is wrong, but I don't want to apply the harsher super- PC standard to these jokes.
Mr. Clutch, I think people want standards for blacks to be relaxed a little. Like everyone else seems to be able to take a joke, but they can't. I personally don't care. It isn't hard for me not to use race in humor, nor to allow it only from minority comedians.
Speaking of commercials with potentially disturbing racial messages, I keep seeing this commercial before movies at the Cinemark. It's one of those "Be nice to each other" type of PSA ads. This one happens to be for "Honesty". In the spot, a white man in a business suit walks by a group of African-Americans (the main one has dreadlocks and wears dark glasses). The white man drops a $20, and the Dreadlocked man sees it. It then cuts to the African-American man tapping the white dude on the shoulder. The white man turns around with a frightened look on his face, but the African-American man simply tells the white guy that he dropped his $20 bill and gives it back to him with a smile. Now, whenever I see the ad, I'm wondering what the message it. So far, I've come up with two possible interpretations. 1. "Black people aren't so bad" - Those potentially scary looking (to whimpy looking white men in business suits anyway) black guys aren't there to intimidate you, and if you drop your $20 bill, they'll be glad to pick it up and give it to you. So what are you scared of, whitey? 2. "Why can't black people be more honest?" - Perhaps the ad is showing an African-American man doing something honest and nice as a role model situation for other African-Americans to see and emulate on the thought that, currently, black people aren't honest enough. I guess there could be more interpretations, but every time I see that ad, it makes me uncomfortable. (And I've taken to calling it the "Black people aren't so bad" ad since that's the message it seems to be trying to tell me).
mrpaige, I think it's just a "have an open mind and never judge a book by it's cover thing." It's used to improve race relations, and I can appreciate that. It's predecessor was one where a big bald, white biker was trying to look for change to use the payphone. Two elderly black women came up and the white guy said "this phone is taken." The elderly black ladies didn't flinch and handed the guy some change. White guy is humbled and very thankful.
I just don't have that sort of faith in advertising, at least not advertising of this kind. To me, it just comes across as silly (And I remember the biker one, too. Same opinion on the level of silliness). I just can't imagine someone sitting in the theater, seeing that ad and thinking "Wow. I never thought about it that way. I guess black people are okay after all." But I'm cynical (and I wonder who the ad is supposed to appeal to anyway).
I was an adv. major. I think they are a "have an open mind, let's all love one another" tone. It's trying to break stereotypes. Kinda silly, but it's a good effort. The ad is supposed to appeal to whoever goes to theatres, and I think the make-up of a movie theater (those watching the movies) is probably a good cross-section of America.
Personally, I dont understand why people get so insulted if/when stereotypes are used to make fun of a race, if its in a joking manner. People need to get a better sense of humor, IMO. I am persian (Born in Iran, moved to Houston at the age of 2). I have heard every possible joke about middle easterners. From things as simple as the way Iranians speak to more serious issues such as terrorism. I have gone through it all. It has always been in a joking manner, I may add. In this case, who gives a $hit?? There is no reason for me to lose sleep over it. I have asian friends, black friends, indian friends, and white friends. You better believe I use every single stereotype against them just as they do against me. But, as long as you are having fun with it, I do not see any problems.
