is this ad racist?
 

Poster is advertised in Japan and interestingly Sony say it wont be used in the UK......

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/0/d...b6e3b1e084.jpg

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Yes, that ad is racist, IF seen in the context of a single picture. What you fail to mention, or more likely perhaps, dont know is that Sony commissioned a series of pictures like the one above but showing the models in varying positions (Black in authority, netural and White in authority) and are using them all as adverts.

Either way i just see this as cynical marketing gimmik by Sony and their minions in a United Colours of Bennetton sort of way.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I didn`t know there were a series of ads, this one has been posted on another forum i visit and has had quite a reaction from the posters on there.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Definately racist. I'm disgusted by it actually.:mad:

Re: is this ad racist?
 

That's because the UK is PC-mental and people would scream racism because it has a black person (and a white person) on it. They wouldn't bother to consider what, if any, the visual message is or how it could be construed as racist.

That picture is devoid of any context at all, making a decision one way or another quite tricky, but on the surface of it I can't see anything racist - just a picture of a black and a white person :shrug:

---------- Post added at 17:43 ---------- Previous post was at 17:42 ----------

How? Why? Explain? I can't see it.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I wonder if you would say the same if the colours were reversed .....

Somehow I doubt it ............

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I don't see it as racist.....I see it as two people representing the two PSP colors fighting. Quite stylish.....

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Bet you those that say the other is racist will not say this one is.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I tell you two things about Sony - firstly i wouldnt buy anything they make (with the possible exception of a games console) and secondly that they sure know how to advertise.

I'd put money on them starting this "controversy".

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Exactly, they have used a conroversial marketing ploy to advertise here and it`s doing exactly as they wanted. I personally don`t think either poster is racist, and this isn`t the only campaign that Sony has been accused of racism for.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

is this ad racist? only if you want it to be.

it got peoples attention, evidently. for every person taking offence, probably ten will buy the thing...

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I think it is using race to get attention but not attacking/degrading any race. is it?

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Theres nothing racist about it.

Its an image, its not singling anyone out.
Its not encouraging racial hatred.

Its an advert for ****s sake, some people really need to get out more.

This kind of **** makes me soooo ****ing angry.
I bet the sheilas wheels advert on TV isnt sexist, or Diamond for that matter.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Nah, the sheila's wheels advert is just plain sh*te :D

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I wouldn't say it is racist, given that there are opposing images of who (what) has the upper hand. However some might see it as reinforcing disharmony between different ethnic groups, and that is dangerous territory.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

You do have a point there Rob, but ethnic disharmony would exist without this advert, so really its a moot point.
I think we all realise that racial tension these days is more common between groups of minorities, for example indians and Pakistanis. You can even say the canadians and the French canadians, americans and canadians. And that does not come down to colour or religion.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Ethnocentricity raises it's ugly head.

Whilst I disagree with these ads (both versions, as they are trying to be controversial), the fact is that "racism" is thought of differently in other cultures.

"Article 14 of the Constitution of Japan states that all citizens are equal under the law, and they cannot be discriminated against politically, economically, or socially on the basis of race, belief, sex, or social or other background. However, this clause does not apply to discrimination committed by private individuals or establishments or legal discrimination based on citizenship. Hate speech is not a criminal offense, but insulting, such as calling someone "fool!", is a minor civil offense resulting in monetary compensation (which is often lower than the cost of going through the judicial process). Japan does not have human rights legislation which enforces or penalises discriminatory activities committed by citizens, businesses, or non-governmental organisations. The country does not have specific hate crime laws. Racism and hate-motivated offenses that include assault, vandalism, and robbery are prosecuted as regular crimes."
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_Japan

So, are we being racist by -
a) imposing our western liberal viewpoint upon another culture
b) not standing up to what is viewed as racist by our culture

damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

ps - before I get flamed, I am vehemently anti-racist, and in fact anti-any form of discrimination; it is "what is racism/discrimination" that is the moot point (which, by the way, I don't know the answer to, just what my guidelines are - treat everyone as you would like to be treated).

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Racist? No.

Successful in gaining publicity and getting people talking about it on internet forums? Definately.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Bit before it's time here as we are not perhaps racially mature enough yet to see this as a monochrome matter rather than a race matter.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Is it because I is monochrome? :disturbd:

Re: is this ad racist?
 

what it is showing is one colour dominating another. if shows the white woman grabbing the black bloke agressively then the other photo shows the black person on top of the white person.

so what's it all about? saying that because you are of different races one will always dominate over the other?

---------- Post added at 21:53 ---------- Previous post was at 21:51 ----------

it's not racist but it's poor taste if it's trying to use some kind of friction between races to get attention.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

The advert's not a good idea, is it?

Generally, though, seeing that there is a difference between races isn't the problem - it's clear to a 2 year old that there's a difference!

The issue is how you handle that difference. Remember, discriminate should only mean KNOWING the difference. It's when you make assumptions and judgements based on that difference that you have a problem.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Very arty. Full of sexual tension.

Sorry, was I supposed to shout RACIST! ????

---------- Post added at 22:57 ---------- Previous post was at 22:55 ----------

And those people need to get out more and stop trying to see racial tension in everything.

---------- Post added at 22:59 ---------- Previous post was at 22:57 ----------

That's an excellent way to go through life. Now tell me you'd be really upset having your photo taken with that young lady...

---------- Post added at 23:01 ---------- Previous post was at 22:59 ----------

No, it's about the fact that the Sony PSP is made in black and soon to be in white as well.

And in those facts there is nothing to suggest any racial overtones, and looking for them is like looking at an open fire and seeing arson.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I Argree with that i will cuary on bying Sony

Re: is this ad racist?
 

its your interpretation that makes it racist. I dont see it as racist at all but then again i dont have racist tendencies.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

If the colours were reversed I would still see it as being racist. In my eyes, a person is a person and should be treated equally. If a poster gives off the impression that a white person has more authority - that equals racism. If a poster gives off the impression that a 'black' person has authority then that is racist too. Everyone is equal, no matter what sex, religion, race, colour etc etc etc etc......

---------- Post added at 00:29 ---------- Previous post was at 00:24 ----------

I totally agree about the Sheila's Wheels and Diamond adverts being sexist. As it happens, by all accounts, it's actually more expensive for women to sign up to those companies for their car insurance than it is to sign up with a 'normal' company that deals with both men and women! What's the point??? :erm:

Re: is this ad racist?
 

but thats all about perception and interpretation

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Very true and that is what I personally 'percieve' and 'interpret' from these Sony adverts.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

One of the larger problems with the world is people reading too much into evreything all we have hear is someone trying to create a ad about a different colour of handheld console. Since its white and the previous one is black the only other thing that comes to mind is a piano and thats pretty crap. If you look at it as a struggle on a personal level then it's you thats adding the racist part to it. I did not look at it and think racism.

Maybe its you that's racist because I saw 2 people. I did not see an african/asian/african american.... and a european/british person

Re: is this ad racist?
 

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Re: is this ad racist?
 

The poster is not playing on white dominating black. For a start it is one of many posters where both colours are dominating.

They are playing on the black and white colours of the PSP, and the poses are sexual, not racist. Using black and white people is a clever way of representing the console.

Racism is treating someone unfairly because of the colour of their skin. It isnt too confusing

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I don't see it racist at all. It's just a marketing scheme, and nothing more. However, I bet if it was to come up in the UK there would be a lot of complaints :rolleyes:

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Is it racist? No. Race is introduced in to too many things, IMO. Everytime people complain that something as unimportant as this ad campaign is racist, they cheapen the plight of those who are suffering at the hands of racists.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I am pleased it has prompted this debate.

The graphics are of two people, one male one female, one black one white, with race/gender varied, in stylised confrontation...

- ying/yang, not racism, in my opinion :)

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I thought she was being sarcastic... :confused: reading on, I guess not.

Personally speaking I dont think the ad is racist. It all depends if you decide to take the image out of context. I know I dont... bottom line, its an ad not a racial slur.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

All I see is a picture, how can that be racist? racist is when abuse is said, or physical harm is done.

A picture blatantly designed to advertise a product, I fail to see the point of how people find it racist myself.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Thats actually a very intersting point.

By trying to be a do gooder for everyhting you can actually harm the people you are trying to help.

Also this : -
[quote] Maybe its you that's racist because I saw 2 people. I did not see an african/asian/african american.... and a european/british person [.quote]

I would never have thought of that, but its again a great point. Not wanting to make any accusations on Sarahlouise, but perhaps its time to stop thinking about things being racist and lets just treat people as fellow human beings.

Things I have to ask are:-

Paul mcartneys and stevie wonder (?) Ebony and Ivory. is that racist, it portrays black and white.

Was the old TV system racist after all you had to ask for a BLACK AND WHITE licence.

what about mint hunbugs, some of them are black and white.

Hey even Newcastle uniteds home strip is black and white.....the racist buggers. :D (has nothing to do with me being a smoggie)

As ludicrous as all that sounds, its all along the same principles as this advert.

The colour of peoples skin is determined by their genetic make up, it cannot be changed and we must not make racism a comical affair.
The advert is only racist if your own perception is withdrawn so much you believe everyone is racist for saying black and white.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Racist? How can it be? Does anyone know the races of the models in the advert? Race and colour are IMO two different things.

But assuming that "black" and "white" are races, then is it racist? Of course not. Let's see, is it racist for the New Zealand rugby team to be called the All Blacks? No. Is it racist that they play nearly always in black? No. It's a colour FFS. Is it racist when a boxing match is between a white person and a black person? No Just the same as whichever boxer wins, it does not prove either colour is superior.

The reason the ads will not be shown in this country is simple: the UK has gone PC mad. The do-gooders in society will look for some kind of discrimination in everything; if it had been two white models they would have looked for sexual discrimination, or ageism, or something else. The fact is that Sony produce something in black, and will produce it in white - it's not about race, it's about style, fashion etc.

The sad thing is that these do-gooders have a voice that is frequently listened to, and taken heed of. I wish they would just get a life, and focus more on improving something that doesn't work, rather than meddle in something that is harmless, innocuous, and actually quite visually stimulating.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

so does this mean we can bring back the Black and White minstrels!

oh god they even have a CD out!

http://www.tesco.com/Entertainment/p....aspx?R=503122

Re: is this ad racist?
 

You just know in the The Sun or some other tabloid there will be a outrage by some back benched funded PC brigade over that cd.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Black nor White are 'colours' actually......;)

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Actually, I've had an idea: anyone fancy joining me on a protest outside Tescos? It's just that they have white grapes there that are cheaper than dark grapes; also, they sell White Lightning and Diamond White, but neither in black? I saw some R. White's lemonade in there too, along with some white wine... why are these people so anti-black? And they think that by selling only blackberries and blackcurrants that will redress the issue!

Mind you, in the toy shop they sell blackboards, but tell you that to get a whiteboard you need to go the office supplies store. What kind of message does that send out?

I've been so depressed, it gave me a black (sorry, dark) mood. I hit myself till I had a black (sorry, bruised) eye, and the pain was so bad they sent out the men in white (sorry, bleached) coats to lock me up.

Jeez, what a racist society we live in.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Well put and like you've demonstrated racism is always targetted one way, and never the other.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

Depends - are you talking perception or physics?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_(color)
White is a color, (more accurately it contains all the colors of the visible spectrum and is sometimes described as an achromatic colorââ‚ƚ¬Ã¢â‚¬ÂÂÂ�black is the absence of color) that has high brightness but zero hue. The impression of white light can be created by mixing (via a process called "additive mixing") appropriate intensities of the primary colorspectrum: red, green and blue, but it must be noted that the illumination provided by this technique has significant differences from that produced by incandescence (see below).

http://www.city.ac.uk/colourgroup/faq.html#faq3
In terms of Perception, Black like Greys and White, is an achromatic colour: a colour without hue and saturation (or "strength").
If the term is intended to be Physical (physical and psychophysical concepts are often confused) and Black refers to a total absence of visible radiation (light) then, if there is no physical stimulus, there can be no physiological response: no response-> no perception-> no colour.

Re: is this ad racist?
 

I think it's a very clever piece of artwork, it looks good, and it gets the point across.

To be honest, i think most people who find this advertisement racist are likely to be racist themselves.
I wouldn't think about the skin colour, because i'm not racist, so why would anyone else. People who find it offensive are just consciously looking for stuff like that to moan about.

People make such an issue about this crap. I guess there are millions of black people who couldn't give a monkeys, and most of the complainers are most likely white.
Seems to me that many white people in the UK care so much about being looked upon as racist that they make it worse by making an issue, where's the logic in that??

Re: is this ad racist?
 

It's a bloody advert! Not racist in any term whatsoever. It's only brainwashed PC Do-gooders that would see it that way! I hate Sony with a passion but that a damn good sexual advert if anything.