Australians & Racism: Now discussing KFC advert

Yeah, we do do that which is (I believe) symptomatic of our insecurity as a nation.

farraday, you have a car?

ES

 

No...

But my tricycle is wicked cool.

 

Ahhh, makes so much sense.

farrie = [image=http://www.tutsking.com/wp-content/uploads/stewie-griffin-on-trike.gif]

 

Just wanted to give Farrie a boost on this one.

The rationale that something is socially acceptable is not sufficient to clear a behaviour of racism or discrimnatory ethnic stereotyping. It is quite possible to engage in such behaviour without being aware of doing so and when such behaviour is common in a society. The same kind of phenomenon repeats itself with stereotyping with regards to other kinds of identity as well. Women are always vacuum the floors/ washing the laundry, men can always be found by the bbq or in the garage fondling their tool belts and all couples are always heterosexual. In that sense, commercials can be very revealing with regards to predominant societal norms with regards to "the other". And since commercials are often devised to work on a reflexive social level, these norms are very often unconsious, meaning that they are so entrenched that we take them for granted and are totally blind to them as long as we are immersed in that social context. It takes that someone calls them out for awareness to arise...

 

Except in this context I'd argue it's a statistically insignificant slice (a small percentage of 4.5%) of the world's population calling something else out that arguably nobody else would find reason to call out. And that statistical minority is calling it out because of their own sensitivity to race issues based on their own historical experience, but using their disproportionate access to media to push their message as valid and semi-factual.

When I hear West Indians claim offense, I might take it seriously. Hearing a handful Americans claim there's racial bias, I'm less inclined to, given what I percieve to be a hypersensitivity to race in the US.

ES

 

The problem is that it's not up to you to decide what others find offensive. Just because the West Indies doesn't have issues doesn't mean that someone else can't.

And yes, there is a stronger sensitivity to race in the US. In general, that is actually a good thing because it can often mean preventing racially-fueled issues from happening. Many areas of the world, especially Australia, have almost no sensitivity regarding race (saying "Sorry" on 1 designated day to the Aborigines after 200 years of bad treatment doesn't cut it) and that is why they often look at America as "over-reacting" and thinking they should "calm down" or "toughen up". If people don't consider racial issues in the US as part of their daily life then something major happens to spark a huge controversy and then the rest of the world judges them anyway by saying, "Look at the mess in America, that place is out of control."

So either way, in they eyes of many, the US is screwed no matter what.

 

It disappoints me that other country's are see us as racist. We are just like any other country we have our good and bad points but all our people shouldn't be put into one category because of a few people who have made a bad judgement in advertising, because that just sucks big hairy dog balls.

 

Please forgive Yodas Girl for bad language and spelling. Yodas girl is blonde and brain has leaked out of my head with the bleach

 

Well considering the difference in how people judged this KFC ad vs. how the good Senator from Nevada got treated, being overly sensitive on race is due in large part on where on the political spectrum you are.

 

And that's exactly what Australia does each time there are comments about "fat Americans" or "America pushing their ideals and politics on others", etc.

The "fat Americans" one bugs me the most because it's called out blatantly in mainstream TV commercials and media. It's not even like it's only said in discussions between friends. It's broadcast around the country as a joke, most likely by people who have never even been to the US.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PCuh6eZeQ

Most Aussies forget that they passed the US as the fattest nation a couple of years ago, but they keep hammering that stereotype to make themselves feel better.

 

You are joking, yes?

The country Australia does nothing of that sort. Individual people, groups of people, or companies may, but the country itself doesn't. Also a random commercial doesn't count as an example of an entire country doing something.

Please try again.

 

You have helped me to prove my point that this argument goes both ways. In each country there are pockets of idiocy that judge other groups based on the actions of individuals within that group. Australia is just generally worse with it than the US. I hear it all the time here. It happens and you can't deny that it does. I actually had a woman apologize about a shot at American's one time once she heard me speak. She didn't know I was from the US when she made the comment and was embarrassed that she was caught after the fact.

 

lol and where on the political spectrum is KFC?

 

It isn't a force on the political left. And Bush isn't the only one to see things in us vs them dichotomies.

 

Haha so the mean old "Left" is out to get KFC, because, like, they haven't issued a declaration of Universal Chicken Rights? That's your theory here? Okay, Glenn.

 

No, that ES is correct when he says we are oversensitized to race, and that minor things regularly get blown out of proportion. I'd say the KFC ad was stupid, would never air in the US, but I don't think the people who made it thought all that much about the racial implications. Just as a police officer was doing his job and what was at most a little bit of general ego was extrapolated into something much larger. Just like many offhand remarks that weren't well worded have cause people their jobs or reputation. The only ones who are seen as except for having the racist tag stuck to them are the leftist leaders of the black community and their white allies. Sen. Reid spoke the truth, but there is a clear double standard when it comes to race in America when these type of things happen.

It isn't that they are out to "get" anyone, it is that because of history Americans are very sensitive to racial relations, and it isn't only on daytime television small claims courts where spurious charges of racism are thrown about in American society in order to gain some objective.

The Jackson 5 blackface was actually offensive to any American with good taste, and in this case I don't approve but I'd say its best for the group depicted to actually be offended. Just because African-Americans share the same general skin tone doesn't automatically make them or their leaders king of all dark people.

 

I think both Espaldy and MattDoc are right here (owned Vivec).

MattDoc's correct to say what he does about Aussies, and Espaldy is correct to agree with me because I'm awe-sum. Or because Americans are oversensitive with race. That would be a bad thing if it wasn't a source of perennial stupidity. Yes, I'm talking about the "outrage" over the Mexican suggestion in Attack of the Clones as another example here.

ES

 

Wow I have never called an American fat I don't even use the word fat in our household.Unless it to p.o my husband cause his a stick but in all seriousness I judge people on face value. Unfortunately I think not everyone feels the same way as I do there is so much hate out there and I am not going to add to it.That ad obviously offended people and that sucks but it taught me a lesson to maybe be a bit more tolerant of others. Which is my new years resolution anyway.

 

Oh and even I found that black face offensive and had a huge argument with my family about it. The worse thing is that they are all doctors, they should know better,Bloody Idiots what were you thinking!!!

 

Ender explain outrage over Mexican attack in Attack of the Clones??? There was outrage about Mexicans in Attack of the clones. Isn't Star Wars set in a galaxy far far away? Thats a long way for a Mexican to travel? In fact thats a long way for anyone to travel? and where is far far away? Isn't that where Shreik lives?

 

Um....Mexicans in AOTC?

 

Found a mention of it here

 

Ahhhh!!! I understand now wow you learn something new everyday.

 

Thanks Lowbacca for clearing that up foe me

 

Yodasbadgirl1, on the bottom right-hand part of your post is a link called 'edit' - I suggest you try and utilise it in the future as it saves having to post 3 times in quick succession.