I went to the YouTube page this came from...apparently it's from Thailand, and one commenter mentioned that while racism is a part of this commercial, what it's probably saying is "don't judge the toothpaste by its color but by its merits." I don't know if that was the intention or not, so whether it's a racist commercial, a commercial that uses racism to make a point...or just plain fricking weird as hell (it's definitely #3, at least in part)...well, who knows really?
This commercial is definitely more wierd than racist. For much of the commercial you're feeling sorry for the black dude and then BAM! you find out it was all about black toothpaste! WTF?!
Okay, I am completely baffled.....and strangely sad for the dude....this commercial is soooo weird!
I am also vaguely offended; is the pole-climbing some kind of 'monkey' reference? I think using overt/in-you-face racism to pitch a product is awkward to say the least.
Good point. The fact that this company blatantly addressed that fact that folks are very likely to stereotype and demean black people simply for their color seemed like a weird way to sell ANYTHING, let alone black toothpaste.
You know, I think I might want to discuss this later. People often use racism or critiques of racism in humor, and they make a profit. I wonder if there are other ways to confront or address racism and make money. Besides diversity training of course.
So he's Frankenstein's monster? What country is this from?
ReplyDeleteI went to the YouTube page this came from...apparently it's from Thailand, and one commenter mentioned that while racism is a part of this commercial, what it's probably saying is "don't judge the toothpaste by its color but by its merits." I don't know if that was the intention or not, so whether it's a racist commercial, a commercial that uses racism to make a point...or just plain fricking weird as hell (it's definitely #3, at least in part)...well, who knows really?
ReplyDeleteJust for the record, I actually liked this commerical.
ReplyDeleteI still can't figure out if I like it, Big Man...because I haven't yet gotten over the weirdness factor.
ReplyDelete;-)
I think Federico Fellini might have liked this a lot.
This commercial is definitely more wierd than racist. For much of the commercial you're feeling sorry for the black dude and then BAM! you find out it was all about black toothpaste! WTF?!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am completely baffled.....and strangely sad for the dude....this commercial is soooo weird!
ReplyDeleteI am also vaguely offended; is the pole-climbing some kind of 'monkey' reference? I think using overt/in-you-face racism to pitch a product is awkward to say the least.
Diva
ReplyDeleteGood point. The fact that this company blatantly addressed that fact that folks are very likely to stereotype and demean black people simply for their color seemed like a weird way to sell ANYTHING, let alone black toothpaste.
You know, I think I might want to discuss this later. People often use racism or critiques of racism in humor, and they make a profit. I wonder if there are other ways to confront or address racism and make money. Besides diversity training of course.