Racial Sony Ad Causes an Internet Ruckus

[bapenguin]

Have you seen this ad for the White PSP yet?

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/sony_ad.jpg

It seems to be causing quite the stir on the internet with numerous Blogging (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/04/ad-critic-sonys-racially-charged-psp-ad/) Websites (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/psp/offensive-psp-adthis-time-racist-185081.php) reporting on it.

Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/04/ad-critic-sonys-racially-charged-psp-ad/) has a few more images from the campaign that aren't quite as bad...but still the ads seem to be in bad taste.

Editor's Note - Official Sony Statement follows:

A Sony spokesperson has responded by stating that the ad does not have a racist message and that is part of a wider marketing campaign, telling GamesIndustry.biz: "The marketing campaign for the launch of the White PSP in the Benelux focuses on the contrast between the Black PSP model and the new Ceramic white PSP model."

"A variety of different treatments have been created as a campaign to either highlight the whiteness of the new model or contrast the black and the white models. Central to this campaign has been the creation of some stunningly photographed imagery, that has been used on large billboards throughout Holland."

According to the spokesperson, "All of the 100 or so images created for the campaign have been designed to show this contrast in colours of the PSPs , and have no other message or purpose."

[darkwarrior]

I really don't think this would be an issue if the roles were reversed. So a white person can't be seen in any kind of dominant position of someone not white anymore without it being racist?

[Chameleo]

i wouldn't have seen/known/heard/read/thought about this ad had it not been seen as (slightly) contraversial.

and now we have a news post about it.

the advertisers can pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

[HumpYourWay]

Is this a joke? Whats racial about that ad? Must be the latest hilarious effort in sony bad mouthing.

[Liquidize105]

The point is what are they getting by doing this? Obviously they want the reactionist controversy; perhaps it's just less of a problem in Europe, so maybe the target is the internet from the start. Don't take the bait and they got nothing.

The thing is PSP still sucks, black or white. It sucks the same amount underneath, so maybe there's a message there?

[bapenguin]

I'm usually the first person to say that people need to "lighten up" when shit like this happens.

But for some reason this ad just irks me. Especially on a billboard. It's ads like these that get politician's panties all in a bunch and give gaming a bad name.

[Cupelix]

My problem is that there's no way to say that this is "accidental" or something like that - that they weren't trying to offend anyone. And I think it would be just as bad to most people if the roles were reversed.

[Tricky Thumb]

Sony's marketing campaigns are only getting worse and worse.

[Chameleo]

I'm usually the first person to say that people need to "lighten up" when shit like this happens.

But for some reason this ad just irks me. Especially on a billboard. It's ads like these that get politician's panties all in a bunch and give gaming a bad name.

i know what you mean. could be the expression on their faces, and the posture of the models.

[Sl1pstream]

perhaps it's just less of a problem in Europe,

We've had those "Take a leaping jump here" in London subway stations, which was worse than this imo.

[SexualChoc]

I have one, so I don't care. Now all I need is a game to keep me interested to play it. Seriously, haven't played it in ages. Got SOCOM and it's not even opened.

[bKangy]

What the hell? Which idiot designed this? It's not catchy or thought provoking other than the fact it'll either offend you or make you think "what the fuck?".

[jeffool]

I really don't think this would be an issue if the roles were reversed. So a white person can't be seen in any kind of dominant position of someone not white anymore without it being racist?You honestly don't think that people would raise eyebrows if Nintendo had an inverted ad campaign around the black DS' launch? You think that a black woman holding a white woman in a threatening mannerr saying "Black is coming" would draw no attention? It's undeniably racial, and to many obviously racist. Kinda makes you think even more about the PSP's "dirtballs" with heavy Latin American accents, huh?

Yeah. It's retarded. Though this kinda reminds me of the Superman t-shirt thing a bit back, only this was undeniably on purpose. I forget if the shirt was officially.

[Kelegacy]

I think the ad is cool. I could see how it could be taken badly, but the imagery is pretty slick.

Again, looks good, but we live in an incredibly PC world now. Gotta be careful.

[Heretic Machine]

Bleh, just more obnoxious Sony advertising. Nothing new here.

EDIT: And as most people know, I'm not really into being politically correct. But if you don't see what is wrong with this ad something is wrong.

[bone_matrix]

I'm not racist, but I don't think a white PSP would even look cool.

:D

[Cubfan]

What the fuck were they thinking? Someone at Sony should have been smart enough to realize how people would react to the ads. Personally, I don't think they're hugely offensive, but still an incredibly bad idea.

[bapenguin]

I think the ad is cool. I could see how it could be taken badly, but the imagery is pretty slick.

Again, looks good, but we live in an incredibly PC world now. Gotta be careful.

Exactly. It really is a gorgeous ad. But it's just in bad taste.

I mean...they could have achieved the same thing sexy cars racing or something. Having a white Lamborghini catching up to a black Ferrari or something.

[GunnyMo]

I really don't think this would be an issue if the roles were reversed. So a white person can't be seen in any kind of dominant position of someone not white anymore without it being racist?

My point exactly. And that ad is fucking hilarious. Uber woot to Sony.

[Evil Avatar]

My first thought is that since the ad is so obviously playing on the whole racist thing that it is a tiny bit of marketing genious. Kind of some Sony ad exec saying, "Yea, it is racist. So-the-fuck-what?"

It would certainly get your attention on a billboard or magazine ad and right now the PSP needs the attention.

[Goronmon]

I can see how people think its racist, I personally don't though.

[JazGalaxy]

I really don't think this would be an issue if the roles were reversed. So a white person can't be seen in any kind of dominant position of someone not white anymore without it being racist?

are you out of your sodding mind?

[GunnyMo]

are you out of your sodding mind?

He's not. He raises a very good question. If it was a black chick holding a white chick you can guarantee no one would bat an eye. In fact, they'd probably be celebrated as being "diverse". This subject was covered rather well in a previous thread but I'll say it again: reverse racism is just as bad.

I don't see the ad as racist at all. There's a black PSP and now the white PSP is coming. The ad symbolizes that. You can make it PC all you want but that is all the ad states. In fact, if you look at the other photos for the campaign on Joystic you'll see that the black "PSP" is just as dominate.

Get your politically correct head out of your ass.

[KJAX]

He's not. He raises a very good question. If it was a black chick holding a white chick you can guarantee no one would bat an eye. In fact, they'd probably be celebrated as being "diverse". This subject was covered rather well in a previous thread but I'll say it again: reverse racism is just as bad.

I don't see the ad as racist at all. There's a black PSP and now the white PSP is coming. The ad symbolizes that. You can make it PC all you want but that is all the ad states. In fact, if you look at the other photos for the campaign on Joystic you'll see that the black "PSP" is just as dominate.

Get your politically correct head out of your ass.



And that is the big picture: taking your politically correct head out of your ass. Sure, the ad plays on the race issue because it is simply designed to get your attention. And lo and behold, it has.

[jeffool]

I don't see the ad as racist at all. There's a black PSP and now the white PSP is coming. The ad symbolizes that. You can make it PC all you want but that is all the ad states. In fact, if you look at the other photos for the campaign on Joystic you'll see that the black "PSP" is just as dominate.The entire point of these ads is that the PSPs are competing because they are different colors. So they have two people fighting simply because they are of different races. Now, that's not racism in action, how? It is. And Sony's banking on it.

You want to make a morality tale of racism in a game, movie, or book? Fine. You want to simply delve into it to educate people about it? Okay. You want to use it to sell product completely unrelated to racism? Reminds me of those 'Hilter bars' you hear about. People are completely entitled, but it's rather fucked up in my opinion.Get your politically correct head out of your ass.Or you could get your dumb head out of your dumb ass and admit that showing racism is the entire point of the ads.

[KidCactus]

I mean...they could have achieved the same thing sexy cars racing or something. Having a white Lamborghini catching up to a black Ferrari or something.
And why would Sony want to promote Lamborghini/Ferrari with their ad?

[The Letter 3]

What the fuck were they thinking? Someone at Sony should have been smart enough to realize how people would react to the ads. Personally, I don't think they're hugely offensive, but still an incredibly bad idea.
Someone at Sony is very smart. They knew exactly how people would react to that billboard and probably fast-tracked that damn thing out the door and into the world.

You're right on one thing, they're not hugely offensive, just offensive enough to get the attention of people and make them start talking about the PSP. Now Sony has Internet blogs and gaming websites full of people clamoring to talk about the PSP. A bad idea? This is the most brilliant thing Sony's done for the PSP yet (which isn't saying a lot about the system, IMO!).

[bapenguin]

And why would Sony want to promote Lamborghini/Ferrari with their ad?

Because they could subsidize the cost.

[Kamalot]

And why would Sony want to promote Lamborghini/Ferrari with their ad?
And why would Sony want to promote black/white people struggling with each other in their ad?

[Heretic Machine]

He's not. He raises a very good question. If it was a black chick holding a white chick you can guarantee no one would bat an eye. In fact, they'd probably be celebrated as being "diverse". This subject was covered rather well in a previous thread but I'll say it again: reverse racism is just as bad.

Ok, white people being abused by black people is bad. This we can agree on. Can we also agree that black people being abused by white people is bad? Thus, the focus of this ad would of been offensive either way?

Another piece of Sony's new ad campaign. (http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=192)

Seriously, someone on the inside is trying to sabotage Sony, that is the only explanation for what has gone on there for the past two years.

[J3DI]

I cannot say that the ad is racist, because it doesn't point out that one color is better than the other. I can say though, that the ads are racially motivated. It seems to play on the conflict between darker people vs. lighter people.

It truly is in the eye of the beholder: I could look at this series of ads, and see a history of struggle between people... in just 3 images. The first shows the white woman aggressively postured over the black. This could portray the aggressive natrue that whites have shown to darker people early in history (and in various cases still). The second image, shows the black woman aggressively postured over the white. This could portray how blacks have fought back throughout time. The last image shows them both aggressively postured facing one another. This image represents the continued struggle and fight that continues between darker people and lighter people today.

- or it could just be an ad about PSP's.

I know what you won't see. You wont see and ad with an west Asian person in it advertising the yellow PSP.

Not racist. Racially motivated. Although, I bet someone in trailerpark, wearing a stained "wifebeater", drinking moonshine, with a shootgun in the back window of his pick up is saying that is the best advertising that he's seen since Loco Roco.

Not a good ad... what does this have to do with PSPs anyways, is what it makes me think?

[Goronmon]

Here's the way I look at it. The point of the ad is black vs. white. Simple. There was a game named after that same concept. One person is white the other is black. I'd say thats a game good representation of black vs. white. So what if one person in the ad is black and the other is white? Does it somehow say that its alright for people to racist?

If the ad was a white person and another white person, no one would care. if the ad was a black person and another black person no one would care. Why the fuck does it matter if one of the people is white and the other is black? Unless of course, you like to look for racist messages in anything concerning a white and a black person interacting.

[Grifter]

People on this planet are to fucking sensative.

I agree 100% that if the roles were reversed this wouldn't be an issue.
"Oh nos its tha white man holding tha black man down, teh racist" Bite me

come on now it's a Holland add campeign designed by Asians, I mean seriously, who gives a fuck.

The question, and only important thing is, how do the people of Holland feel about these adds?

[Goronmon]

Not a good ad... what does this have to do with PSPs anyways, is what it makes me think?Black and White PSP and Black and White Human. I'd say the connection is is pretty fucking obvious.

[BabyJesus]

I don't think its racist per se, but in todays PC times you can't do anything even remotely racist without causing a ruckus. Whats next though for Sony?

Yo Yo Yo, gets a PS3 YO!

[drakkarim]

its got all the 'reporters' out there OMGBBQWTF'ing doesn't it? So the ads work as designed.

while most are worrying about racist overtones, sony's getting free airtime by the billions worth.

[Subbacultcha]

What next? White PowerSP?

"I'm gonna teach you a real lesson now motherfucker. Put your fuckin' mouth on the curb."

[Dag-Sabot]

Like it was stated before, while its not [overtly] racist it is certainly in poor taste and shows a lack of judgement by sony who, ironically, are about to spend the next generation riding in the back of the "bus".

[J3DI]

Black and White PSP and Black and White Human. I'd say the connection is is pretty fucking obvious.

No.... Really. No. This kind of advertising is akin to Paris Hilton in those Carl's Jr. ads.

I agree 100% that if the roles were reversed this wouldn't be an issue.
"Oh nos its tha white man holding tha black man down, teh racist" Bite me

Umm, if you hadn't noticed. They do show the black woman, "holding tha" white woman down. Read a little, learn a little.

"Oh nos its tha white man" getting offended because he might be racist, and his statement back it up.

[Goronmon]

No.... Really. No. This kind of advertising is akin to Paris Hilton in those Carl's Jr. ads.

Umm, if you hadn't noticed. They do show the black woman, "holding tha" white woman down. Read a little, learn a little.

"Oh nos its tha white man" getting offended because he might be racist, and his statement back it up.WTF is going on in this post?

[Averic]

Guys: Look at the Dutch website.

http://www.yourpsp.com/psp/psp.html#locale=nl_nl&section=homepage&setlocale=true

They show other images, that if you look at, makes this campeign less of a racism controversy. :D

[AntB]

Probability wise, your all a bunch of white teens talking about a racism. Most of you have been guilty of it yourselves. Get over yourselves.

I hate politically correct people. It's a fucking AD. It's not like it portrayed a white "psp" whipping the black "psp" while screaming WHITE POWER.

You sheep fell into the marketing trap and the whole 'net is talking about the white PSP.

http://www.pspworld.com/sony-psp/images/white-psp-5.jpg

I think it's hot.

[Serapth]

On the racial side, I dont really see anything wrong with this ad.

On the other hand, I dont like it. That woman is totally unattractive to me, although she is obviously supposed to be hot. Actually she scares me... quite a bit. She looks very mean.

All said though, compared to Sony's wonderful PSP ad fuckup with the grafiti a few years back, this is nothing...

[EternalGamer]

I agree completely with Jefffool here. The ad is clearly attempting to play on racial tension and play on it heavily. Seeing as how it is an ad for a videogame machine that has no relation to a discussion of racism, it's nothing a clear attempt to provoke via shock value attention that is in really, really bad taste. It is also, as Kel and Bapenquin have said, a very beautiful ad, but since I am not a complete amoral hedonist, beauty doesn't triumph all other concerns in my book.

I can't believe people are saying that if you reversed the roles nobody would care. Are you actually trying to tell me that if you had a very black man with his hand on the throat of a very, very white woman and the add said "Black is coming" it wouldn't be a problem? What universe do you live in? Furthermore you can't take away the racial connotation by saying that if you changed the ad it wouldn't offensive, by changing the ad you are changing the connotation. Yes, if you took away the black person in the ad and replaced it with two white people it wouldn't be racist. It would also not be the same ad. It's like you see people running out of a flaming building and you say "I don't see what people's problem is, if that building wasn't on fire none of would be in trouble." Thanks for the brillant observation that if it were not the same ad it would not have the same conversation. It must have taken quite a while for you to come up with that brillant piece of analysis. :rolleyes:

[agentgray]

VG Casts sums up Sony best (http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=192).

It appears that the Titanic is sinking.

[Goronmon]

It would also not be the same ad. It's like you see people running out of a flaming building and you say "I don't see what people's problem is, if that building wasn't on fire none of would be in trouble." Thanks for the brillant observation that if it were not the same ad it would not have the same conversation. It must have taken quite a while for you to come up with that brillant piece of analysis.I could say the same thing about that useless anology of yours...

Anyways. My point was that the people in the ad are there for the purposes od expressing the contrast between black and white, the same way the black and white PSP would contrast one another. If you decide that since the people are black and white, it must have a racist undertone, that's your own fault for having that perspective.The white v. white and black v. black comment was just to stress that its really just two people on a billboard symbolizing something else.

[Goronmon]

VG Casts sums up Sony best (http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=192).

It appears that the Titanic is sinking.I love VGCats. If only your post had any relation to the topic at hand.

[Goronmon]

The ad is clearly attempting to play on racial tension and play on it heavily. Seeing as how it is an ad for a videogame machine that has no relation to a discussion of racism, it's nothing a clear attempt to provoke via shock value attention that is in really, really bad taste.Yeah, because the colors black and white can only be used to express a racist attitude. :rolleyes:

[Voodoo]

come on now it's a Holland add campeign designed by Asians, I mean seriously, who gives a fuck.

The question, and only important thing is, how do the people of Holland feel about these adds?
I been wondering that too since the Dutch (people from Holland/Netherlands) are the ones that became the dominant slave trading power in seventeenth century. They became the leading traders selling slaves to both their own colonies and to British and Spanish ones. How interesting is that!

[balamoor]

Society is so silly. I watched Blade the series last night, one thing I noticed that all of the Heroes were African American, Latino or Asian American. The Evil Vampires were all white. If this was reversed imagine the outcry? In fact I distinctly remember an Episode a Buffy that had to be re-shot because Buffy Staked an African American Vampire. I think folks need to lighten up. Yes Sony knew exactly what it was doing when it created this ad campaign how sheep like we are to react exactly as they wish.

[EternalGamer]

I could say the same thing about that useless anology of yours...

Anyways. My point was that the people in the ad are there for the purposes od expressing the contrast between black and white, the same way the black and white PSP would contrast one another. If you decide that since the people are black and white, it must have a racist undertone, that's your own fault for having that perspective.The white v. white and black v. black comment was just to stress that its really just two people on a billboard symbolizing something else.

How is having people of one racist being in a violent competition with people from another racist not attempting to play on racial tensions? Are you telling me that people are just seeing racial competition that isn't realy there, that it is just something people are imagining? None of us are stupid. We all know that the black and and white people are supposed to be representative of the PSPs. That does not change the fact that the ads feature "white" people versus "black" people. Your comment about changing the color of the people is meaningless because if you did that, you take away the very thing that is racial about the ads. If it were just two white people or two black people, then it would be just about a competition, but it is not that. It is two people of a different race fighting with a clear reference to their racial difference--"white is coming." The ad itself admits that it is playing on racial distinction. What kind of idiot can ignore that?



.

[Wonka]

I think it's pretty close to the very definition of racist, since it is exploiting hate to try and sell an agenda (even if that agenda is just "buy a PSP").

It's pretty clearly deliberately designed to provoke the conversation that you guys are having here. Pretty clearly designed to make people take about race in a heated way. When you show black and white people in angry threatening poses you are either EXTREMELY culturally insentitive or you are hoping to get people mad about race issues. I hate PC stuff as much as the next guy, but prejudice is a well documented part of the human condition. People have known sensitivities to these kinds of things and exploiting those feelings for an ad seems pretty low to me. It looks pretty clear to me that Sony is trying to take advantage of human prejudice to sell it's products. It's insensitive, rude and innapropriate.

I understand that some of you are burned out on PC stuff and do not want to see why this might feel offensive to others, but take any other long standing conflict (which you were not involved with in any way) and insert its members into the picture for a more objective perspective. Consider for example that a set of images with a jew holding some palestinian down into a dominant/submissive position (and vice versa) would also provoke a response like this. Is it really appropriate to remind people about the fact that for some old reason they don't like people of "other group X"??? It's just extremely INNAPROPRIATE.

If you bring up a topic where peoples family and friends have suffered and died, you had better have a reason better than: "buy the new PSP".

[EternalGamer]

I am amazed at how otherwise intelligent people can completely be lacking in perception when it comes to putting yourself in someone elses' shoes. The ad isn't offensive to white heterosexual males? Wow, big surprise there. That is group that doesn't know what it is like to be a discriminated against minority and to be pigeonholed or characterized. If you are 12 year old black kid that saw that ad, you tell me what the fuck you would think. Are you telling me you would be able to ignore (or outright not see) the racial connotations?

[Captain Awesome]

Ahhh, memories of the squirrel campaign…
http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=192

[bapenguin]

I could say the same thing about that useless anology of yours...

Anyways. My point was that the people in the ad are there for the purposes od expressing the contrast between black and white, the same way the black and white PSP would contrast one another. If you decide that since the people are black and white, it must have a racist undertone, that's your own fault for having that perspective.The white v. white and black v. black comment was just to stress that its really just two people on a billboard symbolizing something else.

I think the problem is the WAY they are presented. They are presented struggling against each other. That probably shouldn't have been the emotion Sony is going for. They could have just as easily had them actually PLAYING PSP's against each other...or racing, or just about anything except being physical. I think that's the biggest thing with this ad. At least...for me it is. Even in the other pics shown on Joystiq...they are all physical.

[Voodoo]

I'm offended that there is white lettering on a black background! But when I type my message I feel empowered as the letters are black and are put upon a white background. I feel so confused!

[Goronmon]

How is having people of one racist being in a violent competition with people from another racist not attempting to play on racial tensions? Are you telling me that people are just seeing racial competition that isn't realy there, that it is just something people are imagining?People imagine it in the sense that the tension is only there if you decide its their on a person level. I fail to see where the ad mentions slavery, white people being better than black people, white supremacy or anything else with negative connotations. It only takes the one real difference between black and white people (the color of their skin) and uses it to create the desired effect of contrast between the two.

We all know that the black and and white people are supposed to be representative of the PSPs. That does not change the fact that the ads feature "white" people versus "black" people.I'm not sure on your use of "versus" here.

Your comment about changing the color of the people is meaningless because if you did that, you take away the very thing that is racial about the ads.Thats my fucking point! The only thing "racial" about the ad is the fact that one person is white and the other is black. Other than that, who gives a fuck?

It is two people of a different race fighting with a clear reference to their racial difference--"white is coming." The ad itself admits that it is playing on racial distinction.Of course its "racial distinction". There is a difference between white and black people. White people have white skin, black people have black skin. Why does using their skin colors to represent a contrast somehow become "racist"? If you read anything else into the ad its because...well...you are reading more into the ad. Not because the ad itself is inherently racist.

[Goronmon]

I think the problem is the WAY they are presented. They are presented struggling against each other. That probably shouldn't have been the emotion Sony is going for. They could have just as easily had them actually PLAYING PSP's against each other...or racing, or just about anything except being physical. I think that's the biggest thing with this ad. At least...for me it is. Even in the other pics shown on Joystiq...they are all physical.This also ties in my whole "White versus white" comment. If they were the same race, no one would care that they are "struggling". Why does it all of a sudden come into play when they are different races?

[Goronmon]

Are you telling me you would be able to ignore (or outright not see) the racial connotations?If it was a black woman holding the face of a white guy, I wouldn't give shit.

[AversionFX]

So a white person can't be seen in any kind of dominant position of someone not white anymore without it being racist?


Exactly, and that is what is completely freaking retarded. Blacks LOVE to be seen as dominant. That's not racist at all.

But when the role is reversed? Holy shit, watch out, cause it pisses blacks off!

Hurray double standards.

[Voodoo]

This also ties in my whole "White versus white" comment. If they were the same race, no one would care that they are "struggling". Why does it all of a sudden come into play when they are different races?
Because of this! http://www.leedberg.com/mad/spies/spies.html Oh noes! Mad is the racist!

They should have made the new PSP black with a slightly different look and called it the Hutu version. o.O

[GunnyMo]

Yeah, because the colors black and white can only be used to express a racist attitude. :rolleyes:

Exactly. Chess must be racist (but only if white is winning), Othello is racist. Hell, old movies are racist!

You are goddamn right that if it was a black person holding down a white person it would be fine and dandy. Just look at our entertainment options out there: any time black people make fun of white people it's ok.

[Nameback]

Well while I'm not really concered about the whole ad thing. I wonder if the white psp has any diffrences over the black, other then color.

[Serapth]

Chess must be racist (but only if white is winning)


Way off topic, but the funny thing is, Chess may actually be slightly racist. Does anyone know the reason why "white goes first"? For a game that old, I wouldnt be suprised there was infact a subtle racist tone to that.

Not that I give a shit really.

[GunnyMo]

Well while I'm not really concered about the whole ad thing. I wonder if the white psp has any diffrences over the black, other then color.


It likes Billy Ray Cyrus, lots of mayo and says, "Swell!" when you turn it on. :D

[GunnyMo]

Way off topic, but the funny thing is, Chess may actually be slightly racist. Does anyone know the reason why "white goes first"? For a game that old, I wouldnt be suprised there was infact a subtle racist tone to that.

Not that I give a shit really.

ROFL. That is hilarious. That's almost as good as activists saying The Lion King was racist because the hyenas were "black". lol Good one! :p

[Serapth]

ROFL. That is hilarious. That's almost as good as activists saying The Lion King was racist because the hyenas were "black". lol Good one! :p


No no no, not at all what I was saying. Im saying in the day and age that chess was invented, it wouldnt suprise me that "white goes first" was directly a metaphor for race.

Not that I agree in the slightest, nor do I care if that was the case. Im a fairly anti - PC person myself.

[GunnyMo]

lol I know. Just giving you a hard time for really reaching on that one. :P

[Savok]

It'd be stupid but this isn't the first time, as VGCats has pointed out. I don't think the ads are racist so much as using racial tension as a marketing tool, which in reality is why this thing is so god damn offensive.

[EternalGamer]

Exactly. Chess must be racist (but only if white is winning), Othello is racist. Hell, old movies are racist!

You are goddamn right that if it was a black person holding down a white person it would be fine and dandy. Just look at our entertainment options out there: any time black people make fun of white people it's ok.


Um... Othello is racist. Very much so. It's still a great play, but his violent characterisation is clearly based on the fact that he is a moore. Shakespeare does similar thing with Aaron from Titus Andronicus when he states "let my soul be as black as my skin." It is possible to argue that in the latter case Shakespeare is consciously trying to subvert racial iconography (but I am highly suspicious of that claim), but in the former case, Othello has no such argument to be made on his behalf. He is violent and "animalistic" because he is black.

As for the role reversal, it is not about "double standards" it is about standards based upon the reality in which you live. If there is a single woman working in a business with 99 men and she tells a sexist joke about men, it is not threatening to the men. They are the majority and the ones in power. Conversely if one of the 99 guys make a sexist comment about women, it is potentially very intimidating to the woman. If the playing field were equal, fine, call a "double standard" but you can't invent an level playing field solely for the purpose of calling something a "double standard." It's only a double standard if the situition reversed would result in the same scenario. If you are playing footbal 5 on 1 and the 1 gets double the points for every touchdown you can't go yelling that "double standard," the comment makes no sense unless the two teams are equally divided.

[rjcc]

Exactly, and that is what is completely freaking retarded. Blacks LOVE to be seen as dominant. That's not racist at all.

But when the role is reversed? Holy shit, watch out, cause it pisses blacks off!

Hurray double standards.

Congratulations on telling us what blacks love to do or not do.

racist.

[jacktion]

I really don't think this would be an issue if the roles were reversed. So a white person can't be seen in any kind of dominant position of someone not white anymore without it being racist?

I'm not sure if you are aware of it or not, but white people have enslaved and ruthlessly dominated not-white people many times in our history. This makes it sort of a sensitive topic. If you are a black dude, and your grandparents were raped and enslaved and murdered by white people, then you are going to be a bit touchy about it.

So I agree that this ad is not a big deal, but I can see why it is raising a furor.
People need to get thicker skins, but ad people need to be aware that when they show a white woman dominating a black women with a menacing message, "White is coming" it is going to cause problems.
This is not something we should spend time thinking about though. We should all focus on more important things though, like why, globally, America ranks so low in education and so high in murders. That is a puzzler, huh?

[EternalGamer]

I can answer the education question for you pretty easily. Americans are rated lower in education because they are not tested the same way. Virtually every kid in America takes those tests, whereas only those that are academically inclinded (put on a university track) take them in other countries (and in other countries, only the brightest go to school at all).

[Savok]

Looking over the ad again, it's a strange world where if they'd made the ad with more sexual overtones, no one would care.

[bapenguin]

This also ties in my whole "White versus white" comment. If they were the same race, no one would care that they are "struggling". Why does it all of a sudden come into play when they are different races?

Because there's a history there.

If it was a man and a woman...with the man being in all white and the woman being in all black (both white race though) it would be considered sexist. It's a similar situation.

[rein]

Looking over the ad again, it's a strange world where if they'd made the ad with more sexual overtones, no one would care.

Exactly my thoughts. If they had made the two women kissing, we would be talking about sex instead of race.

[rjcc]

Looking over the ad again, it's a strange world where if they'd made the ad with more sexual overtones, no one would care.


given the choice between fucking or fighting, you don't respond more positively to the former?

what kind of weirdo are you?

[Savok]

given the choice between fucking or fighting, you don't respond more positively to the former?

what kind of weirdo are you?
I respond way more positively, just saying that Sony made a weird choice considering how well sex sells. Were the white chick touching that cheek looking like she was about to orgasm, we'd be happy... terribly happy.

Sex sells, only one reason to give that up, if something else gives more publicity.

[Dag-Sabot]

Well while I'm not really concered about the whole ad thing. I wonder if the white psp has any diffrences over the black, other then color.
-Nope, they both sit equally well doing nothing besides leaking battery power and collecting dust.

[Serapth]

Exactly my thoughts. If they had made the two women kissing, we would be talking about sex instead of race.


Oh, but if you took this ad and did a gender reversal, holy shit would that cause an uproar. A black man dominating a white woman... wow, that would cause sparks... and not so much because of gender.

It would still be stupid imho...

[EternalGamer]

Looking over the ad again, it's a strange world where if they'd made the ad with more sexual overtones, no one would care.


I agree with rjcc, if the ad were more overtly sexual, I think I would be more inclined to like it. Having a white woman straddling a black man in a sexually provocative position with the tag line "White is coming" is much less offensive to me (I especially like the double entrendre that the tagline gains). It is still obviously playing on a racial tension, but not in nearly as offensive (read: dominant) way. And I agree with baps that had the competition been portrayed in a less physical manner it would probably also downplay the offensiveness.

On some level I can definitely appreciate the aristry of an ad that is willing to play off the beauty of sex and violence, but to aestheticize racisim is going to far for me. It seems you have to willing to live in a world of complete hedonism to condone such a portrayal just because you find it interesting and it tickles your fancy.

[Goronmon]

I think it's pretty close to the very definition of racist, since it is exploiting hate to try and sell an agenda (even if that agenda is just "buy a PSP").Yeah. After reading this I knew I wouldn't have to bother reading the rest of your post, since I knew it would be filled with the same sort of BS.

[rjcc]

Oh, but if you took this ad and did a gender reversal, holy shit would that cause an uproar. A black man dominating a white woman... wow, that would cause sparks... and not so much because of gender.

It would still be stupid imho...

and this is my main reaction, it would STILL be a fucking retarded ad and have nothing to do with gaming.

[Goronmon]

On some level I can definitely appreciate the aristry of an ad that is willing to play off the beauty of sex and violence, but to aestheticize racisim is going to far for me. Good thing the ad doesn't have anything to do with racism then.

[rjcc]

Good thing the ad doesn't have anything to do with racism then.

oh goronmon, if only we could go back in time and undo western imperialism so whites could be free to make light of dominating other races without offending anyone. such a tragedy.

[reimomo]

I'm not sure if you are aware of it or not, but white people have enslaved and ruthlessly dominated not-white people many times in our history. This makes it sort of a sensitive topic. If you are a black dude, and your grandparents were raped and enslaved and murdered by white people, then you are going to be a bit touchy about it.

As if non-whites are the only people ever to be enslaved and ruthlessly dominated by "whites" throughout history. It's strong vs. weak, rich vs. poor... not black vs white. It always has been, and always will be. Slavery, oppression, and conflict exist independently of racism.

[EGO]

I never really had a reason to boycott or bash Sony before, but that ad just SUCKS and for all you people out there that don't have a problem with it, if it were reversed, believe me, you'd have a problem with it...

[Savok]

and this is my main reaction, it would STILL be a fucking retarded ad and have nothing to do with gaming.
That's Sony's marketing trademark.

[Goronmon]

oh goronmon, if only we could go back in time and undo western imperialism so whites could be free to make light of dominating other races without offending anyone. such a tragedy.The tragedy hear is how people believe simple ads can only be interpreted as campaigns to support racism.

[rjcc]

The tragedy hear is how people believe simple ads can only be interpreted as campaigns to support racism.

*here. they don't teach spelling in hitler youth now? (btw, I've mentioned hitler, discussion is officially ended).

I don't know what "supporting" racism is, but I am truly sad for you that we don't live in a world where you can say and do anything about other races based on past history. I weep for you every day goronmon.

[Goronmon]

I weep for you every day goronmon.LIAR!

;)

[Jack B]

I'd sum this up in the immortal words of David St. Hubbin's and Derek Smalls...

DAVID: It’s such a fine line between stupid an’...
DEREK: ...and clever?
DAVID: Yeah, and clever.
NIGEL: Just that little turnabout....

In racial ads you can't have the white person as the antagonist without offending some whites and minorities. You can have the black person or other minority as the antagonist, but even there it depends on the context... The black person as the victim in a White vs Black ad doesn't work.

A white defeating a minority in an ad, say a sporting event or game or most any other context is fine. It happens all the time. A print ad with it's focus on White over Black and using skin color/race as the feature with the white in a superior position is the wrong context. That's the fine line... David St. Hubbin's didn't quite get...

If you're black or someone who doesn't wish to focus on stereo types in advertising it can appear racist. Each country is different. Possibly in Japan this ad wouldn't cause a stir.

There are so many other ways for Sony to sell PSP's, I don't know why you have David St. Hubbin's types approving your ad content. Sony is a global company. I don't think they thought like one in this case.

from This is Spinal Tap. 1984

Have you seen Duke Fame’s current album?
IAN: Um... yes, yes.
DAVID: Have you seen the cover?
IAN: Um... no, no, I don’t think I have.
DAVID: It’s a rather lurid cover, I mean...ah, it’s, it’s like naked women, and, uh....
NIGEL: He’s tied down to this table,
IAN: Uh-huh.
NIGEL: And he’s got these whips and they’re all...semi-nude.
DAVID: Knockin’ on ‘im and it’s like much worse...
IAN: What’s the point?
DAVID: Well the point is it’s much worse than ‘Smell the Glove’ ...he releases that he’s number three.
IAN: Because he’s the victim. Their objections were that she was the victim. You see?
DEREK: I see....
NIGEL: Oh...
DAVID: Ah....
IAN: That’s alright, if the singer’s the victim, it’s different. It’s not sexist.
NIGEL: He did a twist on it. A twist and it’s..
DEREK: He did, he did. He turned it around.
IAN: We shoulda thought of that....
DAVID: We were so close....
IAN: I mean if we had all you guys tied up, that probably woulda been fine.
ALL: Ah....
IAN: But it’s...it’s still a stupid cover.
DAVID: It’s such a fine line between stupid an’...
DEREK: ...and clever.
DAVID: Yeah, and clever.
NIGEL: Just that little turnabout....
Note: For the record, I'm white, but wouldn't dream of approving this ad. It's offensive and demeaning to a percentage of the population of all races. Bad taste IMO and uncalled for. Maybe not in Japan or some other countries, but in the US, I believe it is.

[Khash]

Oh no! An advertisement featuring people of different ethnicities! What an outrage!

[Demo_Boy]

BREAKING NEWS:
PS3 will be shipping with a special faceplate. The faceplate will be 3D foam boobs!

[EternalGamer]

As if non-whites are the only people ever to be enslaved and ruthlessly dominated by "whites" throughout history. It's strong vs. weak, rich vs. poor... not black vs white. It always has been, and always will be. Slavery, oppression, and conflict exist independently of racism.


So slavery in the United States had no connection to racism . . . I have no idea how to even begin to posit a response to that level of inane non-thought based analysis.

[Voodoo]

So slavery in the United States had no connection to racism . . . I have no idea how to even begin to posit a response to that level of inane non-thought based analysis.
Me neither since slavery still does exist in parts of the world and is strongly based on race and racism ideals.

[Savok]

I gotta agree with Dan Dan, slavery was not a rich/poor thing at all.... god, I need a shower.

[bapenguin]

The tragedy hear is how people believe simple ads can only be interpreted as campaigns to support racism.

I hope nobody here thought that. That's not really what I was saying. But...it's certainly not doing anything to detract from it.

[Jack B]

I watch Deadwood every week. This ad wouldn't have caused a stir in Deadwood. Racism ran rampant back then and almost no one cared or gave it a thought. There wasn't anyone talking about politcally correct behavior.

Come to think of it, there also weren't any laws and 2 people a day were murdered in a town of 5,000. Hmmm, maybe we have progressed a little since then.

[EL CABONG]

I really don't think this would be an issue if the roles were reversed. So a white person can't be seen in any kind of dominant position of someone not white anymore without it being racist?

Your right. It is a fucked up double standard. That should stop.

[EternalGamer]

Jack B, you provided your own responce in your observation. Racist portrayals are fitting in a show like Deadwood because they are accurate portrayals of the period. As jeffool noted, they are also fitting when someone wants to to solicit discussion or explore racial issues. In the present case, none of those elements are in play.

[Samo Umer]

Regime Change!!!! Bomb Them Into The Dark Ages!!!!

[Savok]

What a lot of people don't seem to grasp here is the emphasis they put on colour. White guy beating up a black guy in a bar over a game of pool advertising stain release carpet is nothing, but the entire point of this ad is colour.

[Jack B]

Your right. It is a fucked up double standard. That should stop.

This has nothing to do with a "double standard". There is right and there is wrong. Every society determines what is right and wrong. What is inappropriate and what isn't. It changes over time and what was right in 1877 in Deadwood for example isn't right in 2006. Each country has their own standards. Sometimes each state. Alabama is different than California for example.

If you're the victim, you are afforded rights not given to others. Yes, it gets complicated and there are gray areas, but double standards in those cases are deemed appropriate by society. And it's not just race. It can be religion, sexual preference, etc.

Is it taken too far at times. Yes, but this is the gray area we spoke about.

Black jokes by black people are accepted in comedy clubs etc. Black jokes by white politicians are not. Black jokes in advertising is also not acceptable.

Our world and the US society is filled with this type of "Double Standard". If you don't understand it, you shouldn't be in advertising. Because, it's a double standard, doesn't neccesarily make it wrong.

If you're in the general populace and you don't understand it why this is..., you'll find yourself making offensive statements quite often and "just won't understand what is the problem...".

If it's not against the law, then you may decide you don't care whether something offends someone or not. That's your choice, but understanding why it offends someone, at least would give you the ability to pick and chose your spots depending on the level of gray.

Many just don't understand how it could offend someone. Others do, but just don't care. Right or wrong is determined by society or religion or possibly the people you hang out with.

Sony is a global company. They should "get it" and sell their products with other ads. This isn't a "win" for them.

[Goronmon]

I'll basically summarize two points why I don't feel like the ad is an issue.

1) Find two human equivalents to a black and white PSP. That would be one "black" person and one "white" person.

2) Find a stance that shows one person "showing up" another one. That would be the stance the woman takes in the ad.

Just because you all of a sudden combine these two elements doesn't automatically mean the ad is trying to imply one race is "better/beating" another race.

[Goronmon]

What a lot of people don't seem to grasp here is the emphasis they put on colour. White guy beating up a black guy in a bar over a game of pool advertising stain release carpet is nothing, but the entire point of this ad is colour.The whole point of the ad was to announce the new white PSP as an alternative to black PSP. I think its safe to say the ad would need to put emphasis on color.

[Jack B]

Jack B, you provided your own responce in your observation. Racist portrayals are fitting in a show like Deadwood because they are accurate portrayals of the period. As jeffool noted, they are also fitting when someone wants to to solicit discussion or explore racial issues. In the present case, none of those elements are in play.

Yes, I'd definitely agree. Time and place are very important.

I posted the Deadwood reference to show, that definititions of what's politically correct change over time. If it's not against the law, then someone can do what they want. However, they must accept the consequences of their actions.

It's all gray area and each person has to make their own choice as to what's racist and inappropriate and what isn't. And also when and where.

My opinions are my own and although I don't approve of the ad, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

It's discussions like these in the 100+ years since Deadwood, that have changed what is and isn't appropriate. People have generally decided to move away from the rampant racisim and stereotypes of Deadwood to a more politcally correct society.

Have we gone too far? In some cases, I'd say yes. I'd hold corporate advertising to a different standard however. Just like I would political platforms or what is taught in schools. Although, George Wallace and others have not been concerned with being politically correct, it's still their call.

What's the point in offending a percentage of your audience from an advertising perspective. I imagine Sony wishes they wouldn't have printed that ad.

[Phades]

I agree that white racism against blacks wasn't the reason for slavery. Racism was more of a way of justifying the actions of the white people who owned slaves. By marking their slaves as "sub-human" and more like animals they made it seem more ok for them to treat them as such. I believe the true motivation was simply greed and power. They had the power to enslave these people so they did. And then to justify it, they made them out to be little better than animals.

As for the ad, I think it's clever but could have been done better. Sony should know people are sensitive and it also doesn't make a lot of sense. Why have two identical (working) versions of your product seem to be in conflict? I actually like the add that has two hands holding a two color PSP. One hand black and the other white. I think that gets across the same point and don't see how anyone could call it offensive.

[KSmitty]

I'll basically summarize two points why I don't feel like the ad is an issue.

1) Find two human equivalents to a black and white PSP. That would be one "black" person and one "white" person.

2) Find a stance that shows one person "showing up" another one. That would be the stance the woman takes in the ad.

Just because you all of a sudden combine these two elements doesn't automatically mean the ad is trying to imply one race is "better/beating" another race.
There are several other ways this could have been portrayed. Gaming has as deep and expansive a lore as books, television and film. The ad could just have easily have been:
White Ninja vs Black Ninja
White tiger vs Black puma
White dragon vs Black Dragon
White sports car racing a Black sports car
White knight vs Black knight
White mech fighting a Black mech
Hell they could have even used Spy vs Spy
But none of those things were used they decided to use a black woman being dominated/threatened/overpowered by a white woman. Now the imagery is very good and it creates a great effect with wonderful contrast, but it is hard to deny the racial overtones that are present. Now give the Black chick a sword and shield and put lightning in the White chicks other hand and now we have something realted to gaming and a black/white gaming system that I personally would not find racist.
A very important point to note is that this is a European Ad campaign (most likely created by Sony Europe not Sony Japan), I wonder why they didn't release it for over here.... :rolleyes:

-K

[inscribed]

I think the people who are crying "Racist!" are the ones who are, well, 'not as comfortable' with other races. ;)

I think if anything, we need more ads like this. Once people can look at an ad like that, and not focus on the race of the people involved, but instead on the product and ad itself, then maybe we can say racism isn't that big of a problem anymore.

[Jack B]

I think the people who are crying "Racist!" are the ones who are, well, 'not as comfortable' with other races. ;)

I think if anything, we need more ads like this. Once people can look at an ad like that, and not focus on the race of the people involved, but instead on the product and ad itself, then maybe we can say racism isn't that big of a problem anymore.

Interesting comments. I would like to get to the point, where this type of thing is a non-issue, (woohoo World Peace next!) but unfortunately 2006 in the US, isn't that time... Good point though.

As for the Racist people not being comfortable. Can't agree. I'm in corporate sales, so I present in rooms of 2 to 50 people and if I want to win business, I must "consider" whether I will offend someone with my comments.

It has little to do with what I "feel", it's what offends them that can be the most important thing. In that setting, I wouldn't offend for two reasons. One I may actually care not to offend as it's not 'right' and two I know that offending a percentage (whether it be one out of 40 or 20 out of 40) probably doesn't help me win business. That ad offended a percentage. I don't know how many, but it did. What's the value in that for Sony? I think they realize now it was a mistake.

[GunnyMo]

*here. they don't teach spelling in hitler youth now? (btw, I've mentioned hitler, discussion is officially ended).

I don't know what "supporting" racism is, but I am truly sad for you that we don't live in a world where you can say and do anything about other races based on past history. I weep for you every day goronmon.

Let me chime in with a big "fuck you".

And let me ask this (yet again): why is ok for "minorities" to make fun of/slander/degrade non-"minorities"? Something like the Sony ad is immediatly called racist and those who see no problem with it are labled Hitler Youth? How are we the fucked up ones? I don't see anyone complaining about the picture in the photo spread where the black woman is clearly dominating the white woman. Where is your racist outrage there?

Fucking hypocrite.

[Steele Johnson]

Good. I hope this takes Sony down a few more notches.

[Marco555]

Well... if this was put up in Germany i'm sure there were some questions asked.
Europe isn't that tolerant as you Americans think, and it's getting worse, not better.

Now i'm going to watch the World Cup half final match, and i don't want to be racist...but i hope every Portugese player will have a broken leg tonight.

[51|RandoM]

Sweet, a white psp would match my white ps2. Yes, I have a white ps2.

[KSmitty]

I don't see anyone complaining about the picture in the photo spread where the black woman is clearly dominating the white woman. Where is your racist outrage there?
I believe the entire photo campaign to have racial overtones, period. That is every picture used for the campaign. No I am not crying out to the villagers to go raze Sony, but race is clearly an issue of the ad.

-K

[GunnyMo]

Sweet, a white psp would match my white ps2. Yes, I have a white ps2.

I have a red one so nyah. Does that mean I like Indians? :confused:

I'm so confused.

[Steele Johnson]

Wow, a lot of you guys have no clue at all.

Until you're a minority yourself, you should at least try to understand how it feels. Imagine the feeling you'd get if you were in a room with 300 black people and you being the only white person. Now think about having that feeling ALL DAY LONG... almost EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

It's easy for you to dismiss anything as racism if YOU'RE NOT A MINORITY! FOOLS!

[Zulu107]

I do find the ad a little off, and I do agree with bapenguin. Its in bad taste and I do find it offensive, and will the white one be like the Nintendo DS Lite, better than the original? What is up with the picture?


"Explain it to me like I'm a four year old" - Denzel Washington from "Philadelphia"

[Jack B]

The definition of racism and what is or is not racism is subjective for everyone. I see a few double standard and why is it OK for one race to say something and for another race it is not.

Here's a Wikipedia comment on racisim that somewhat addresses that point...

Most individuals who use the concept of racial categories believe that different races can be placed on a ranked, hierarchical scale. By definition one who practices racism is known as a racist.

Everyone has a different scale, but in the US the Deadwood scale was Whites on top and the others lower down the perceived scale. Even amongst white's there was a hierarchy. Irish vs English etc.

I'm speaking about the USA/Canada only. Others can chime in on their own countries, but here are a couple of points.

1. It's generally accepted that the hierarchies Wikipedia speaks about should not be accepted nor promoted. Note: Certainly not agreed upon by everyone, everywhere in the US, but the majority.

2. It's generally accepted that it's 'more' racist for the victim to be further down on the perceived 'hierarchy'. If the roles were reversed, it could be racist, but most wouldn't have noticed. The real meaning behind something is often only known by the creator. I don't necessarily believe the Sony ad people gave it enough thought. Or maybe they did and said, "who cares".

3. In the US it's very subjective, but generally accepted that whites have been on the top of this hierachy, so they're held to a higher standard.

It's for these reason's that a minority dominating a white is less racist (or not at all depending), where a white dominating a minority is more racist (or not at all depending on the situation).

This is the "twist" David St. Hubbin's was talking about in This is Spinal Tap.

Someone else made some good comments about putting gamer type armor and weapons on the participants in the ads or put the focus on football players or soccer players. Then the context changes and it's about sports or ancient fighters doing battle that just happen to be of different color. Or they could have used color, but not people of different color...

This had none of that. Just white vs black people. In that context, you'll offend a percentage of whites and minorities everytime. Until David St. Hubbin's understood what was offensive, he wasn't able to make a choice whether he wanted to offend or not. The first step is to understand what is offensive and then make your choice.

[Goronmon]

It's easy for you to dismiss anything as racism if YOU'RE NOT A MINORITY! FOOLS!I fail to see the requirement where you need to be a minority in order to spot identify racism. "Racism" isn't something that differs from person to person, IMO. Stuff that makes a person uncomfortable, something they disagree with, whatever, thats what differs from person to person.

Just because something makes people of a certain race uncomfortable, doesn't mean it should automatically be called racist.

[GunnyMo]

Wow, a lot of you guys have no clue at all.

Until you're a minority yourself, you should at least try to understand how it feels. Imagine the feeling you'd get if you were in a room with 300 black people and you being the only white person. Now think about having that feeling ALL DAY LONG... almost EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

It's easy for you to dismiss anything as racism if YOU'RE NOT A MINORITY! FOOLS!

What a bunch of whiney, victim mentality bullshit. I can't even respond to such ignorant statements like that.

I will say this: I've spent the last several years working in the 'hood for Gamestop. 80% of my customers were black. I also spent a few years in Japan. I'm white and 6'5" which tends to stick out in Japan. Not once did I feel like a "minority" in either situation. Why? Because I see past a persons skin color which is something those screaming racism cannot do. Just by that comment above you are saying that all white people are racist (becuase people (minorities) have "that feeling ALL DAY LONG...almost EVERYWHERE (they) GO). Funny how stereotyping someone by their skin color sounds like racism, doesn't it?

[Zeal]

Oh lawdy, the big white PSP's uh comin', mastah. What's we's gonna do.

Ohhhh lawd.

[vivafletcher]

People who whine about "PC" are worse than PC itself. Budget rebels like to have something to rebel against, so "PC" fits the bill since it can't fight back and embarrass them. Political correctness has NOT become a mandate for how people should think and talk...it's become a strawman for people who don't recognize bad taste when they see it.

The ad is designed to be shocking and raise some eyebrows, so to pretend that it's all PC and people should lighten up defeats the purpose of the ad itself. Sony knew exactly what they were doing, and they positioned the actors that way on purpose.

And guess what? The PSP is still an over-priced system without enough good games to support buying it-- whether it's black or white.

Instead of complaining about political correctness, complain about gamers who get their panties in a bunch over a new COLOR for a game system. Oooooh, it's white! Oooooh, it's black! Ooooh, it's green! Unless you're a nine-year-old schoolgirl it shouldn't matter. It's the same system, people.

[GunnyMo]

Instead of complaining about political correctness, complain about gamers who get their panties in a bunch over a new COLOR for a game system. Oooooh, it's white! Oooooh, it's black! Ooooh, it's green! Unless you're a nine-year-old schoolgirl it shouldn't matter. It's the same system, people.

Hey, now. Nintendo got it right. It only matters if the system is Pink. Then I'll be the 9 year old school girl.

[baz]

Interesting comments. I would like to get to the point, where this type of thing is a non-issue, (woohoo World Peace next!) but unfortunately 2006 in the US, isn't that time... Good point though.

As for the Racist people not being comfortable. Can't agree. I'm in corporate sales, so I present in rooms of 2 to 50 people and if I want to win business, I must "consider" whether I will offend someone with my comments.

It has little to do with what I "feel", it's what offends them that can be the most important thing. In that setting, I wouldn't offend for two reasons. One I may actually care not to offend as it's not 'right' and two I know that offending a percentage (whether it be one out of 40 or 20 out of 40) probably doesn't help me win business. That ad offended a percentage. I don't know how many, but it did. What's the value in that for Sony? I think they realize now it was a mistake.

This about sums up my views. In a completely non-racist society this add would not be an issue. However we are as a global whole (and particularly in the US it seems) no where near ready for this, so the add is really dumb on behalf of sony.

Hopefully in 20 years time, this add could be made because of it's artistic qualities and no-one will find anything to be offended about. Anyway I think that could be too optimistic unfortunately.

Check this out if you want to challanged yourself and test your implicit associations.

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/measureyourattitudes.html

For the record I have no bias in favour of black and white, but I do favour thin over fat. I think this is I was raised in 10 different countries growing up, being the minority race in most of them. Gives you a good basis to understand the ignorance and pervasis racism of every culture (and don't think that non-white/euro countries fare any better, there is a bias in favour of the majority damn near everywhere).

[kickmybum]

The ad looks cool to me.

[Orosco]

I think it would look alot better if they were naked, wrestling in some jello....

[Redline]

Much ado about nothing. Get over it people.

[51|RandoM]

I have a red one so nyah. Does that mean I like Indians? :confused:

I'm so confused.


We just need to find somebody on here that has a yellow one and another person with the blue one and we've got the ps2 spectrum represented(lots of black ps2 users out there).

Hey, now that I think about it, white is the minority when it comes to the PSP. Does that change anybody's opinion about that billboard?

[GunnyMo]

We just need to find somebody on here that has a yellow one and another person with the blue one and we've got the ps2 spectrum represented(lots of black ps2 users out there).

Hey, now that I think about it, white is the minority when it comes to the PSP. Does that change anybody's opinion about that billboard?

lol you're a goof. We've already established it's ok for black to dominate white. :p

[Neirin]

All the "minorities" hissing and bitching and moaning about the ad, and then going on about "wah wah wah dont say anything until you have been a minority", please do the rest of us “minorities” with a sensible brain and stfu and dont lump us in with you. NO, all minorities are not offended by this, I sure am not. Why? Because I am not a jackass, I see the ad for what it is. I don’t go trying to look for hidden meanings. Some people are pathetic and are just an embarrassment, looking for any excuse to use their heritage to start a shit storm. I have been called everything in the book between spic and sand nigger, and yet how do I still not have the same spineless attitude that I have seen presented by some of you? Because I am better than that, I am smarter than that. Everyone crying you can’t say anything because you are not a minority is f**king pathetic. Get a grip on life, its 2006 you got to get over the past some day.

[GunnyMo]

All the "minorities" hissing and bitching and moaning about the ad, and then going on about "wah wah wah dont say anything until you have been a minority", please do the rest of us “minorities” with a sensible brain and stfu and dont lump us in with you. NO, all minorities are not offended by this, I sure am not. Why? Because I am not a jackass, I see the ad for what it is. I don’t go trying to look for hidden meanings. Some people are pathetic and are just an embarrassment, looking for any excuse to use their heritage to start a shit storm. I have been called everything in the book between spic and sand nigger, and yet how do I still not have the same spineless attitude that I have seen presented by some of you? Because I am better than that, I am smarter than that. Everyone crying you can’t say anything because you are not a minority is f**king pathetic. Get a grip on life, its 2006 you got to get over the past some day.

Thank you, my friend. Well put. My wife agrees with you 100% (Asian "minority", although a race with a few billion people worldwide doesn't seem minority to me) and would post as such but she lets me do all the ranting in here. :D

[Furious Wang]

Regardless of the "intent" behind these billboards, there should have been someone to step up and say "Hey, uh maybe having a white person in a dominate position over a black person on an ad claiming that the white psp will be superior to the black psp isn't such a great idea."

[Redline]

Regardless of the "intent" behind these billboards, there should have been someone to step up and say "Hey, uh maybe having a white person in a dominate position over a black person on an ad claiming that the white psp will be superior to the black psp isn't such a great idea."

Hey dipshit. At what point on those ads does it claim the white PSP will be 'superior' to the black one?

[Jack B]

Regardless of the "intent" behind these billboards, there should have been someone to step up and say "Hey, uh maybe having a white person in a dominate position over a black person on an ad claiming that the white psp will be superior to the black psp isn't such a great idea."

That reminds me of what Bobbi Flekman from Spinal Tap said... :D

Bobbi Flekman: You put a *greased naked woman* on all fours with a dog collar around her neck, and a leash, and a man's arm extended out up to here, holding onto the leash, and pushing a black glove in her face to sniff it. You don't find that offensive? You don't find that sexist?
Ian Faith: This is *1982*, Bobbi, c'mon!
Bobbi Flekman: That's *right*, it's 1982! Get out of the '60s. We don't have this mentality anymore.
Ian Faith: Well, you should have seen the cover they *wanted* to do! It wasn't a glove, believe me.

Sony's new Ad Agency - SPINAL TAP!

http://www.bryanreesman.com/archives/metaledge/smalls1.jpg

[chowweekly]

Exactly. It really is a gorgeous ad. But it's just in bad taste.

I mean...they could have achieved the same thing sexy cars racing or something. Having a white Lamborghini catching up to a black Ferrari or something.

exactly. The people aren't even neccessary. I don't think even a picture was needed. It could have just said "The white PSP is coming" in big plain letters and the people who actually cared would get the message. Or it could have just been a big picture of the white PSP. The fact that they chose to have a white person holding a black person in a submissive position just shows bad taste on sony's part.

I would love to think racism is part of the past but it's still around and these issues are still fresh to alot of people. Maybe in a one or two hundred years people won't get what the big deal is.

[Opty]

I think the people going "You have to be a minority to understand!" in this thread are full of shit. Of course I think the people who are like "I'm not racist, I'm colorblind! See, my wife is Asian, that proves I'm not racist!" are full of shit as well. The simple fact is that hardcore sub-human racism existed in the United States for centuries. Only in the last half century or so has this racism started to be broken down and removed from the system. So of course people will read into this and see racist overtones when anyone over a certain age lived in a racist time and most likely passed some of that racism to their children. The society is still obsessed with trying to "fix" it with things like political correctness and affirmative action, both of which I don't think are useful nowadays but were good in the past when that first step of removing the race barriers presented itself.

With the ad, I say if they were both male no one would care if it was white vs black as long as they were both well built. In that case people are used to it through male sports pitting men of all color against each other. In the case of females, they're not as lucky to be in the limelight as much as men sports are so no one really has experience with interrace female competition. So because of this lack of general exposure to this type of situation (through sports or otherwise) it comes off as racist. I think a good portion of the ad's angering properties comes from how helpless the black woman looks and how angry and ready to really hurt the black woman the white woman looks.

But either way it doesn't matter what Americans think because this is a Dutch ad. So you can sit over here and stew about this ad existing in America while you ignore that it wasn't targetted towards your country at all. One might say raising a stink about this ad from across the ocean is just as racist as the ad seems to you as you're attacking another society's culture for being "insensitive towards racism" when they might not view it as racist at all. Especially even though they dealt in the slave trade the majority of the country didn't enteract with slaves as they didn't bring them there. So they didn't create a fictional race identity for blacks like America did as an attempt to keep them subhuman. As such this ad probably botherered maybe one or two Dutch people. I can bet the majority of complaints and demands to take it down are from Americans sticking their noses where they don't belong.

[Sl1pstream]

There have been a few racist murders (politician Pim Fortuyn, movie director Theo Van Gogh) over there in the past few years, so it's not like they haven't been confronted with racism in the Netherlands.

[JazGalaxy]

Reading this thread just pisses me off, mostly because of the amount of racism being disguised as "disgust with political correctness". It's like

"How come I can't burn some niggers in my front yard without being called non-politically correct!? Fuck all this PC crap and all you overly sensitive liberals!"

Your bloody racism has nothing to do with being politically correct. Racism is racism. As a black person who gets discriminated against daily, yes this ad offends me. I was just at a party the other day with peopel who have known me for years, all with the exception of one hispanic girl happened to be white. The subject turned to race and I let wound up telling them about the numerous racist encounters I've had in my lifetime being a black male and living in Texas. Their mouths were wide open at the end of it becuase they never knew this happened to me and also simply chose to believe that society was not like that. It is. This kind of crap in a freaking ADVERTISEMENT FOR A VIDEOGAME CONSOLE does not belong.

Get a freaking world view.

[Jack B]

Reading this thread just pisses me off, mostly because of the amount of racism being disguised as "disgust with political correctness". It's like

"How come I can't burn some niggers in my front yard without being called non-politically correct!? Fuck all this PC crap and all you overly sensitive liberals!"

Your bloody racism has nothing to do with being politically correct. Racism is racism. As a black person who gets discriminated against daily, yes this ad offends me. I was just at a party the other day with peopel who have known me for years, all with the exception of one hispanic girl happened to be white. The subject turned to race and I let wound up telling them about the numerous racist encounters I've had in my lifetime being a black male and living in Texas. Their mouths were wide open at the end of it becuase they never knew this happened to me and also simply chose to believe that society was not like that. It is. This kind of crap in a freaking ADVERTISEMENT FOR A VIDEOGAME CONSOLE does not belong.

Get a freaking world view.

JazGalaxy,

Racism is less in the US than it's been in decades past, but we've a long way to go. Sorry to hear this ad bothered you. We've heard from blacks and minorities on this thread that side both ways. Same as whites have been on both sides of this debate.

If you felt offended, that's what's important to you certainly. Most people among friends wouldn't do something they knew seriously offended their friends, but with strangers or the general populace it's not always the case.

I'm white and Christian, but I always say Holiday season instead of Xmas season. Why? Because it doesn't bother me that much to say Holiday and it's respectful of other religions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes the Supreme Court Justice once said, "the right to extend your fist ends where the other man's nose begins...". Sure Sony has every right to publish that ad, but what's the point? Whether they wanted it to be interpreted as racist or not, it will be offensive to a percentage of the population. It's a no win situation.

I say Holiday season instead of Xmas season, because I'm trying to be considerate. No big agenda other than that (now in a sales presentation who knows, I have lot's of agendas there, that's what I'm paid for...). No ones perfect, but if you're offended by that ad, your opinion should be considered. If Sony decides to say, "I don't care" or someone on this thread wants to say, "lighten up, it shouldn't offend you" or "go to hell if it does offend you" those are are valid opinions. There is no law against it.

I'm just glad that every decade we have less racism and more people chose to be considerate of belief's other than their own. It takes education.

That's what civilization is all about. We're getting there. Watch Deadwood or similar shows to see where we've come from... It takes decades and/or centuries to evolve past all this to a point, where this thread isn't needed.

[LogainAblar]

I didn't expect much from Gornonmon and GunnyMo (they're both pretty stupid), but how can anyone else NOT seeing the racial overtones? When you add the elements together, the ad can't really be interpreted in many different ways:

a) The text in the ad: something alone the lines of "white is coming"

b) The, um, emphasis on the differences between the 'color' of the two people

c) The violent nature of the relationship between the two people.

Maybe it's a bit of a stretch to think the implication is that of an underlying race struggle? Or maybe it's like the simpleton GoronMon said.You tell me guys. Barring an S&M relationship, I can't think of what else it would be.

I should've just ignored this thread, but stupidity about a subject as video games is one thing; hearing idiots talk about how only a sheep would find these ads offensive is disturbing.

[Zechs01]

I didn't expect much from Gornonmon and GunnyMo (they're both pretty stupid), but how can anyone else NOT seeing the racial overtones? When you add the elements together, the ad can't really be interpreted in many different ways:

a) The text in the ad: something alone the lines of "white is coming"

b) The, um, emphasis on the differences between the 'color' of the two people

c) The violent nature of the relationship between the two people.

Maybe it's a bit of a stretch to think the implication is that of an underlying race struggle? Or maybe it's like the simpleton GoronMon said.You tell me guys. Barring an S&M relationship, I can't think of what else it would be.

I should've just ignored this thread, but stupidity about a subject as video games is one thing; hearing idiots talk about how only a sheep would find these ads offensive is disturbing.
a) Your an Idiot

b) Your Still an Idiot

c) and yeah your Still an Idiot

There is nothing racist about the article they are talking about a game system it had nothing to do about race if they said "Yellow is Coming" you would say they were being racist about Asians.... What a bunch dumbasses.

[Jack B]

Religion, Politics, and Racism. These discussions rarely go well... :(

[Zechs01]

Religion, Politics, and Racism. These discussions rarely go well... :(
ya usally not this will probably end up being locked, but I dont see how anyone could think it was "Racial"

[Jack B]

ya usally not this will probably end up being locked, but I dont see how anyone could think it was "Racial"

That's half the battle. First someone needs to be able to put themselves in the other person's shoes and start to understand why it might be considered offensive...

Then they have to consciously decide they don't want to do offend and to change their behavior.

You need both for racism to disappear.

Otherwise you understand what offends, but you just don't care as in the case of the Klu Klux Klan or a racist. Or you offend, because you don't understand what is or isn't offensive and can't relate to the offended persons perspective. Possibly the Sony ad people, who approved the ad.

We've come a long way since the 60's, but we're not there yet.

[divinechaos]

Black, white people, stop ur whining! I WISH i could see a hispanic person in at least ONE fucking ad. I swear man, where are we??!! They should make a tan PSP, or a green one so it blends in with the grass we cut. Seriously, i wanna see more hispanics on ads, not just putting them up.

As far as this ad goes, im a pretty stereotypical person, but this doesnt look racist to me at all. If i saw this walkin down the street i'd just say "Pfft, PSP" and probably draw a mustache on both. That way they can be Italian ladies!

[captainstrombosis]

Black, white people, stop ur whining! I WISH i could see a hispanic person in at least ONE fucking ad. I swear man, where are we??!! They should make a tan PSP, or a green one so it blends in with the grass we cut. Seriously, i wanna see more hispanics on ads, not just putting them up.

Hey man, atleast you get racially offensive hispanic dustballs in the PSP campaign. Where the hell is the Eskimo love? I need some national racism dammit. Not just local stuff.

[Zechs01]

But i fail to see how anyone can see "White is Coming" as racist. I mean yeah its got a black guy in it and a white woman but its stupid for anyone to get mad.

[jeffool]

but I dont see how anyone could think it was "Racial"Do you know the definition of the word 'racial'? "Of, or pertaining to, race." Is ad does indeed contain racial connotations. Now, if you think there's anything derogatory or not in them is a different debate. But to not recognize that there is a racial component at play in the ads is fucking idiocy. And if you can't recognize that, you would probably argue grass appearing green or the sky blue.

[Siraris]

But i fail to see how anyone can see "White is Coming" as racist. I mean yeah its got a black guy in it and a white woman but its stupid for anyone to get mad.

That's a black woman and a white woman.............

And yes, it's silly that people think this is racist. I'm sorry if someone thinks its offensive, but it's not. I have seen many forms of racism in my life, and this isn't one of them. If people want to make a stand, this shouldn't be the place for it. Pick something that actually is meant to offend people. Go bitch at Ann Coulter or something.

[Wasson_]

didn't Tina Turner have that same haircut in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome?

[Wizard of KoZ]

Well at least no one is bitching about the fact that the white woman is wearing an upside down cross necklace. :D

[A Lusty Alien]

Hmmm... Maybe they should have had the two of them kissing instead.

Or maybe have both of them naked (tastefully, of course) and kissing.

Or maybe...

[Evil Avnovice]

I see it as a poorly designed ad (a lot of people have mistaken the black woman for a male), but not racist. Lady with the blonde hair is a real looker though.

Unless you want to misconstrue it as the DS has pwnt the PSP that badly worldwide. :cool:

[Wasson_]

or maybe i'm thinking of the android from Blade Runner....

[JazGalaxy]

But i fail to see how anyone can see "White is Coming" as racist. I mean yeah its got a black guy in it and a white woman but its stupid for anyone to get mad.

This is what I don't get. If you DON'T see it as racial... and not only that but racist, then that's half your problem.

We're not looking at an ad where one person is dressed in white, and another person is dressed in black, which would have been a valid way to compose the advertisement. We're not looking at people painted black and white like the blueman group or something like that. No, we're looking at an advertisement where they deliberately chose a "white" and "black" person to put in an advertisement to show a racist concept of white domination. That's the point of the ad. If you don't get that, you don't get the ad. If you don't get the ad, that does not give you a license to say it's not racial. You just don't get it.

[Sl1pstream]

What matters (http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/2006/07/getting-to-heart-of-racism-debate.html#comments)

[Crono]

This is an artsy approach to marketing. Idiots will scream racism, without seeing a message. I guess they should have made PSP grey. People need to understand what racism is. This is clearly not racist, it is a bunch of small time bloggers trying to get attention by spinning a message. People buy into this shit so easily, I wish people would start making thier own decisions instead of letting others tell them what to think.

Prove to me how this is racist? It isn't putting black people down. It isn't judging them based on a single person. It isn't implying whites are better than blacks. It isn't suggesting anything of the sort. It isn't saying "White is taking over" What is it that the people pointing the finger so blindly find racist about it? Explain yourself if you're going to cry racism. How is this empowering white people? How is it a misservice to black people? I bet none of you can properly explain your thoughts.

[Zechs01]

That's a black woman and a white woman..............
Oo looked like a man.....

[Jack B]

Idiots will scream racism, without seeing a message.

Glad you're the definitive judge on who's an idiot.

I guess they should have made PSP grey.

That's your solution?

People need to understand what racism is.

Let me know when your book on "Racism, What is it?" by Crono gets published.

People buy into this shit so easily, I wish people would start making thier own decisions instead of letting others tell them what to think.

Let me write this down. Crono tells me I should not let others tell me what to think, unless it's Crono telling me what to think. Got it.

Prove to me how this is racist?

There are currently 159 posts on this thread. Go read them. Some are very good.

I bet none of you can properly explain your thoughts.

And who would be the judge? Let me see, I'm guessing Crono would judge. Got it.

This is precisely the problem, I articulated in an earlier post. Crono can not see what's racist or offensive. 1st you need to be able to see the other person's perspective. 2nd you need to decide if you want to change your behavior or even agree with the other persons perspective.

Crono, you can't even see what could be construed as a racist in this ad... If you see how it could be interpeted as racist and argue against it, I'll take you seriously.

For now, you sound confused as to why it could be... That's why we have so many of these issues in our society. There is far more of that, than the "I know it could offend and be thought of as racist, but I'm going to do it anyway". Those are the real racists. The others just perpetuate it because they can't see the offended person's perspective. The Sony ad team that approved this billboard for instance.

[Shifteh]

You have to admit - a white girl covered in white, holding a white PSP, in an aggressive stance strangling a black woman, with a title like 'white is coming' - isn't that hard to misconstrue.

[Crono]

I'm glad you're so analytical. I like your point by point breakdown, even though you bring nothing to the table, and go after me rather than the problem in your point-by-point breakdown. I never claimed to be a judge on this or that... if that is what you got out of my post then I can see where you come from on this artificial "racism" thing. You like to make assumptions. Just as you assume there is a racial motivation in this ad. Certainly there must be if 2 people of different skin tone are in the same ad. Surely the subjects of the photo must be apart of a racial message. Sony's motivation surely is to isolate their market and destroy their own sales! Sony is clearly racist! White power Jack B! White power!

You like to make quips at me stating "Let me know when your book on racism gets published" I guess you're trying to undermine my statements since your own have no real depth to them. Let's take a look at what you had to say about the actual issue rather than your childish attacks on me.

This is precisely the problem, I articulated in an earlier post. Crono can not see what's racist or offensive. 1st you need to be able to see the other person's perspective. 2nd you need to decide if you want to change your behavior or even agree with the other persons perspective.

Ohh yes, you're right. We shouldn't have our own perspective after all. I should constantly be trying to understand someone else rather than form my own idea. Right? Well if that is true then you certainly don't understand me. Nor will your behavior change or even agree with my perspective. Not that I ever asked you to, but you proved the problem quite well. You proved it on me. Go look at your post of assumption.

Crono, you can't even see what could be construed as a racist in this ad... If you see how it could be interpeted as racist and argue against it, I'll take you seriously.

If this is racist to you, then I don't think you've ever dealt with real life racism. Explain what you see so racist about this would you? The ad isn't about white supremacy. It isn't about holding black people down. There is no underlying message here. I see 2 people, different skin tone, conveying a message about the PSP's faceplate. What do you see Jack B? You act like it's the KKK performing a lynching. I'm sure you'll have some off the wall comment to toss about it though, I'm waiting to see.

For now, you sound confused as to why it could be... That's why we have so many of these issues in our society. There is far more of that, than the "I know it could offend and be thought of as racist, but I'm going to do it anyway". Those are the real racists. The others just perpetuate it because they can't see the offended person's perspective. The Sony ad team that approved this billboard for instance.

Glad you're the definitive judge on who sounds confused. LOL! Look I can do it too! I can spin someone's response as well and avoid actually replying to what they say! Look at me, I'm avoiding your response by drawing attention to something else! Stick to the situation at hand. I'm not confused, and I can only assume the reason you feel I am confused is because I don't share your perspective. I can only assume that you will read what I write as something to try and undermine until I, or others, jump ship with you and share your perspective. Define what "these issues" means in that last comment. This ad isn't an issue unless you make it an issue. No one can show how this is racist, you skipped the entire part of my post . There is more to it than just understanding perspective as well. You have to have a common understanding of what racism is as well.

A lot of people just say this is racism and don't explain what they see so racist about it. That is the explanation I was asking for. Sorry if you felt I was going to judge an explanation, I just wanted something a bit more than "It's racist. Why? Because it's racist, that's why."

[LogainAblar]

I'll tell you what I see, and what many others might see, Crono. I see a violent act between two people who are explicitly divided solely by the color of their skin. If you cannot see that as a possible grounds for objection, then you aren't worth any more of anyone's time.

[Jack B]

I'll tell you what I see, and what many others might see, Crono. I see a violent act between two people who are explicitly divided solely by the color of their skin. If you cannot see that as a possible grounds for objection, then you aren't worth any more of anyone's time.

Thanks LogainAblar. I'm not going to respond to Crono's post. He didn't read my earlier posts, so why bother.

[Jack B]

You have to admit - a white girl covered in white, holding a white PSP, in an aggressive stance strangling a black woman, with a title like 'white is coming' - isn't that hard to misconstrue.

Not that it matters a ton, but she isn't even holding a PSP. It's off to the side of the ad in the lower left corner.

[Wizard of KoZ]

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing about the intent of the add. But if you looked at the other add there is a spread where the black woman is on top of the white woman. So in the very least the adds are not one-sided

[Jack B]

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing about the intent of the add. But if you looked at the other add there is a spread where the black woman is on top of the white woman. So in the very least the adds are not one-sided

What other ad? That would make a difference if the opposite ads were on the same billboard or page, however I didn't see an ad next to the first one.

Are you sure? From what we've been shown it's a "White is Coming" ad piece, not a "Black is Coming". Is there a "Black is Coming" ad campaign as well? Do you have a URL? Thanks.

[Kamalot]

What other ad? That would make a difference if the opposite ads were on the same billboard or page, however I didn't see an ad next to the first one.

Are you sure? From what we've been shown it's a "White is Coming" ad piece, not a "Black is Coming". Is there a "Black is Coming" ad campaign as well? Do you have a URL? Thanks.
You know, I saw the other image too. It wasn't a "Black is Coming" ad, but the roles were reversed. What I read said that the 2 ads were never shown together though. If I come across the pic again, I'll link it.

I think the main problem is that the only thing the picture shows is agression and Black/White people fighting. Why anyone thought that would be a good advert or send the right kind of message is beyond me.

Think of it this way, What kind of person is attracted to this advertisement? To what market does this cater? To people who think black / white people fighting each other is cool?

That's sick.

[Wizard of KoZ]

Jack B:
If you scroll down on the Joystiq article
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/04/ad-critic-sonys-racially-charged-psp-ad/

You will see three more ads for the campaign.

[Jack B]

Jack B:
If you scroll down on the Joystiq article
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/04/ad-critic-sonys-racially-charged-psp-ad/

You will see three more ads for the campaign.

Thanks. It's all in the presentation isn't it? If they put all those images together in one ad it changes things...

Having them separate is the issue. It's like the David St. Hubbins comments of "just that little twist... it's a fine line....". Who is the victim is always key. If both black and white races are victims in the same ad or tv commercial, then there is no victim, but that's not the way they did it. Marketing 101.

Why they didn't put swords or props of some kind in their hands to at least take the focus off skin color.

Another thing to consider is that in an art gallery, that would be acceptable and considered thought provoking and artistic imagery. It could be construed as an example of the black struggle with white aggression. In an ad it comes across as white aggression. Subtle, but marketing people get paid to think about the message. I'm in sales. I know about understanding how all of your audience will interpret your message, not just a percentage. In this case the percentage intrepreting it the negative way is about 25-50%.

I saw on CNN the NAACP is all over Sony on this one. Doesn't surprise me they'd be in the 25-50%. I don't know how Sony could have imagined the press would be positive on this ad.

Bad decision.

[phantomhitman]

Because there's a history there.

If it was a man and a woman...with the man being in all white and the woman being in all black (both white race though) it would be considered sexist. It's a similar situation.

nah, that would be the first shot for civil war 2 in the us.

[absolut taco]

Having them separate is the issue. It's like the David St. Hubbins comments of "just that little twist... it's a fine line....". Who is the victim is always key. If both black and white races are victims in the same ad or tv commercial, then there is no victim, but that's not the way they did it. Marketing 101.
Jack B:
I swear, one more Spinal Tap reference from you and my annoyed-meter will go to 11! ;)

The ad is stupid, plain and simple. Why the fuck do they put black PSP against white PSP? They should coexist peacefully, and that is why the chicks should be depicted in a 69.

[Savok]

They should coexist peacefully, and that is why the chicks should be depicted in a 69.
God bless you sir

[WastelandDan]

while it might not seem racist, consider how much planning goes into ad campaigns. I worked in an office where months of meetings and numerous projects were dedicated to a new ad campaign, so for them not to see the potential problems with this is ridiculous. Nobody could be this short sighted, especially not a corporation with a product soon coming out that's getting almost universally terrible PR.

Whether it's racist or not, it has to be intentional, and there's no debating that it's in bad taste.

[grunter]

If the advert showed a 2 dark (or light) skinned females in the same pose, one with white hair and the other with black hair, would we be talking about this?

I'm thinking not, so by it's own definition, that just about everyone here see's a problem with this advert, shows that deep down inside, they have racist tendancies.

That people have different coloured skin shouldn't denote that they are any different to the next guy or gal. If you continue to see that people of different colours, as different based souly on the colour of the skin, as opposed to their actions, then isn't that racisism?

I didn't even register a problem with this bill board until I read through a few posts in this thread.

[Jack B]

Jack B:
I swear, one more Spinal Tap reference from you and my annoyed-meter will go to 11! ;)

So, you're reading my posts. :)

Your annoyed-meter goes to 11? Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder? :)

[Jack B]

I'm thinking not, so by it's own definition, that just about everyone here see's a problem with this advert, shows that deep down inside, they have racist tendancies.

So, whether it's this ad or anything else, you're saying if anyone sees anything they believe could be offensive to a specific race, then they are a racist or they wouldn't have seen it as racist????

Since I say Holiday season instead of Xmas season do I "deep down inside" hate Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslims or am I just being considerate?

[grunter]

Perhaps I'm not so sensitive to the supposed black vs white thing in that apart from the obvious colour differences that the advert is playing on, I didn't see anything more in it or that it might be offensive. As I mentioned before if it was 2 black people with white and black hair I would have got the same out of the ad, in that the old PSP colour is being replaced by a new one.

People have preconceived notions based on history, that it's bad for black to dominate white or visa versa, what I'm saying (or trying unsuccessfully) is that people think it's bad because it's drilled into them that there are differences between people of different colour based not on their skin colour but on what supposedly the colour of the skin represents. Whilst it is the way of the world, I thinks that it's wrong and I'm sure you do, but still by it's definition, it is racist.

[Jack B]

Perhaps I'm not so sensitive to the supposed black vs white thing in that apart from the obvious colour differences that the advert is playing on, I didn't see anything more in it or that it might be offensive. As I mentioned before if it was 2 black people with white and black hair I would have got the same out of the ad, in that the old PSP colour is being replaced by a new one.

People have preconceived notions based on history, that it's bad for black to dominate white or visa versa, what I'm saying (or trying unsuccessfully) is that people think it's bad because it's drilled into them that there are differences between people of different colour based not on their skin colour but on what supposedly the colour of the skin represents. Whilst it is the way of the world, I thinks that it's wrong and I'm sure you do, but still by it's definition, it is racist.

OK. I can live with that... :)

I just didn't like the "if you see it, or are aware, it could be racially charged, you're deep down a racist" comment. It's easy to be misunderstood. It happens to me all the time.

Carry on.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

First, lets get the terminology straight.

Main Entry: ra·cial http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?racial01.wav=racial'))
Pronunciation: 'rA-sh&l
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or based on a race <a racial minority>
2 : existing or occurring between races <racial equality>

Main Entry: rac·ism http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?racism01.wav=racism'))
Pronunciation: 'rA-"si-z&m also -"shi-
Function: noun
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/racial) differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/racial) prejudice or discrimination
- rac·ist http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?racism02.wav=racist')) /-sist also -shist/ noun or adjective

If you think this add isn't f-cking RACIAL you are an ignorant f-ck. The sexes are the same, so it isn't gender based. The only difference that is apparent is that one is Caucasian, wearing white. The other is African American, wearing black. The clothes simply accentuate the skin tones. Now, they picked a very dark AA and a very white Caucasian...do you think that wasn't on purpose? If they were both Caucasian or AA, then race wouldn't be an issues, they deliberately chose people of opposing races for better juxtaposition. Now, the Caucasian is in a higher position gripping the AA around the mouth. She is menacing the AA with a very unfriendly look on her mouth. Her arms and hands are clearly visible and her off hand looks to be tensed for action. The AA does not appear to be fighting back (her hands and arms are clearly missing) while she is looking up at her tormenter. Think about the psychology of this...I'm sure the advertisers did.

I'm sure the picture below would also be acceptable to many of you if the caption would read "Black is Coming"...and you wouldn't think it racially charged either.
http://www.hist.umn.edu/~bywelke/Little%20Rock/eckford2.jpg

Reading posts like the ones I have really force me back into reality. I have to accept that a lot of non African Americans probably think that something like this is unoffensive and that African Americans need to get over themselves. You really miss the point.

[GunnyMo]

So why aren't you upset about the other photo that shows the black woman clearly dominating the white woman? Where is your racial outrage there? Ignorant fucks indeed.

Interesting that those screaming racism use only the evidence that suits their purpose.

And you know what, a lot of blacks do need to get over themselves. If you think for an instant that many minority rights zealots don't use "racism" as a buzzword to move forward their agendas (that most often have nothing to do with race) you are the ignorant fuck.

Racism is perpetuated by both sides of the color issue. That has been my point throughout this entire thread.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

At least you are consistent.
However, I chose the picture that Sony and their advertisers chose to put up on a billboard in a major dutch city. The others were photos that I didn't see posted up in the city...did you? Hell, if I didn't follow the link, I wouldn't know about the other pics.

I get a vague picture of your mind from your comments from previous posts like "I will say this: I've spent the last several years working in the 'hood for Gamestop."..."...in the hood, huhn? Or your insightful comments regarding affirmative action. Part of the problem you either don't mention or don't understand is the hugely negative stereotypes AAs have to deal with. Hell, read through the posts and look at the way some of your colleagues posted.

Example "Oh lawdy, the big white PSP's uh comin', mastah. What's we's gonna do.Ohhhh lawd." by Zeal (ignorant f-ck)

So for people to say that this has no racial overtones or to dismiss the racial components of this, they are f-cking ignorant. For you not to recognize that any blacks in the city who have to walk past that advertisement(especially with all the racial tension in Europe lately) may feel uncomfortable or self-conscious is highly insensitive.

Back in the states, it is a harsh reminder of a history that is one or two generations removed but the effects are still felt...in a place where no such reminder should be.

But lets be frank, nothing I say is going to convince you that maybe you should review your viewpoint. Hell, you made your feelings on the add pretty well known.
My point exactly. And that ad is fucking hilarious. Uber woot to Sony.

Lastly, Gunny, WTF are you talking about??
Let me give you another example of the hypocrisy we have going in America and let you in on a secret: black culture now thrives on reverse racism. Perfect example. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372237/)
Our culture thrives on reverse racism?! If you insist on making such ass-backwards statements, please find stronger material to support your theories. It's amazing how you, obviously not AA, knows exactly what our culture is about and thrives on. Thanks for letting me in on the secret!

It's obvious that this guy knows all about African American culture!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/GunnyMo/MVC-868F.jpg

[Wasson_]

This is / would be offensive on many levels, without a shadow of a doubt.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3330/veryoffensivexz8fy.jpg


The "White is Coming" ad itself...idk, I can definitly see why people are offended by it...but it's just a fucking stupid Sony advertisement trying to be edgy in one way or another to sell their shitty PSP...