"Racist" (or something) Superbowl commercial

[Booze Zombie]

This advert is offensive... to humour.

 

[kickyourass]

I LOVE that commercial, it's hilarious, (even though I think I've seen that happen about 11 thousand times in various sitcoms) that's not racist, it's FUNNY. To that accusation of racism, I really have to say.

Here in Southern Louisiana I've formulated a racism test:

-If it was meant with hate or meant to hurt/bash someone and their race then it's racist.
-If you look at a normal situation and -needlessly- see race being involved when it really isn't, then THAT'S racism.

Commercial = Not Racist
Congresswoman = Racist

You sir, are my current favorite person on these forums.

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

But personally I don't think every stereotype or archetype or trope needs to be eliminated from pop culture. Part of the reason such things exist, and most of the reason they're so prevalent in advertisements and popular media in general, is because people know what to expect from them. If we suddenly got rid of every stereotype, authors would have to develop an ethos and persona for every single character they create, and work out ways to explain their motivations within the context of the story. That actually sounds great on paper, though I think it would turn out to be more of a pain than anything in practice (think of all the support characters no one would be able to understand), and more importantly, it would make the job of the advertiser impossible. You don't have time to establish a unique character in most advertisements. This explains why they went with the "domineering wife" figure and the "helpless man" eying the "inexplicable sex object." These are things that the intended audience (presumably adult males) can probably relate to, or at least know someone who can. It's not an endorsement of spousal abuse. It's an exaggeration, designed to get the viewers together on common ground so they can relate to the actors, and therefore the product, in an environment that pleases them. It's funny stuff they can relate to.

I laugh at funny stereotypes also, but we run into the problem that not everyone is a rational thinking adult. A lot of humans are very content into lumping one people together because they saw it on tv that five or seven 'representatives' of said people acted the same way. It breeds laziness. If I wanted to get to know who you are as a person, the worst thing I could do is start from "Ok, so Summer is Race A, so this is what tv told me about them..." I should sit you down, and ask about you. No preconceived notions. No hearkening back to that episode of Seinfield or Friends or Living Single. Just Obsidian Talking to Summer.

Most people can't or won't do that. So promoting them for humor is a.) a lazy way to get humor across and b.) just cementing that a vast majority of people out there won't give two rat asses about learning who we are, as they just saw the clothes and the skin color and have us 'all figured out'.

I'll use this very thread as an example. How many disparaging remarks about America have been thrown about? I'm pretty sure that anyone can point to a country, google it's current events and be aghast about something. But America is easy because we are fat and lazy and reactionary and stupid. But I rather it this way. There are going to be some things that boggle my mind, but I rather us Americans try to point out to other Americans that maybe we need to fix this. That's how discussions come about. Hell, it sparked a four page one here.

But instead, we have people popping their heads in, giving their two cents about our country, and hahaha, so clever. Now, if the shoe was on the other foot; If someone from their country popped in and pointed out something stupid on their shores.. and an American said something? The possibility for a shitestorm increases exponentially. Because screw you, you're an American and you always have to stick your nose into something and place your values on it. What makes you think you're so knowledgeable and so on and so forth.

Every country has flaws. Not one perfect government. Where ever you live, I can assure you that your political body couldn't give less about you until it comes to re-election time (if you have an election time), and then it's vague promise this, hallow hearkening back to a time when things we simpler (pro tip: They were never simpler, just people said less because they had less rights), and vote for me. But more over, every country has their stereotypes: Canada is nice and friendly and like your little slow brother, America is fat and stupid and you know this, England is judgmental and smug yet toothless... You pick what you dislike, you focus on it, and you tear into it.

Having these stereotypes make for good laughs. I'm sure everyone who posted comments here with disparaging remarks about this culture or that gender had a good laugh after posting it. But how many other posters did they lump together and push away for that laugh? Maybe not all. Maybe not even half. But some. And since everyone here can agree they want to be respected, I simply put this out: A good laugh here and there or making sure who you are is honored.

I'll take the few less laughs trade off.

 

[RamirezDoEverything]

White/Asian/Muslim/Hispanic/Jewish/ etc.. people throw things at people.

People like this need to be eliminated from the gene pool, people like this make other people believe that it's racist.

People need to stop being so damn sensitive.

 

[LightspeedJack]

It's not racist, suck my balls PC nazis.

 

[Unesh52]

snip

You know, I've noticed that we're talking at two extremes here. Either stereotypes are good or they're bad. But I suppose the excluded middle ground is actually the best. Stereotypes have their uses and their faults. Short things like commercials need certain stereotypes, or at least formulaic conventions, so they don't have to waste time. Even then, using the same ones all the time can have negative effects. If enough people do it, it becomes a part of the public perception, and we get that marginalizing effect you described. Bit parts in movies can benefit from archetypes, but if they're relied on to characterize the parts driving the plot, it can detract from the legitimacy of the character.

Either way, stereotyping is a natural, practical mechanism that all people, even the most intelligent and tolerant, do and should do. It's just the way our brains work -- they categorize. The key is to recognize them for what they are and not let them color your vision when it counts.

About the soda can. Notice a dramatic shift in tone right at the end of the commercial. This is purposeful. The irony is that well-meaning, ultimately harmless violence ended up severely wounding some random passerby.

Ok I can pass off all the other acts as well meaning but the soda can? She didn't do that for his health she did that out of jealousy and rage.

That... you're right about. I screwed up a bit there. The intentions behind the actions were entirely different.

It just doesn't seem cartoony enough for me to laugh at it the way I laugh at the Stooges. The man seems to be threatened and afraid of his wife.

I guess that's fair too... In the light of day I see that I might just have been wound up by the blatantly unjustified accusations of racism. The sexist double standard argument makes much more sense. That goes to both of you.