Sony Pulls Controversial PSP Ad

[fitbabits]

GamesSpot (http://www.gamespot.com) is reporting that Sony have pulled their controversial PSP ad and apologized for offending anyone.

You can read the full story here (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153816.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6153816).

Debate over a recent Sony billboard in the Netherlands advertising the release of the Ceramic White PSP in the region was fittingly white-hot last week. That's when an ad featuring a Caucasian woman holding a black woman by the jaw in a threatening manner was decried as racially insensitive.

Today, one of those who criticized the ad and condemned Sony for running it, California Assemblyman Leland Yee, instead commended the publisher. According to a statement from Yee, Sony has pulled the advertising campaign and apologized to anyone offended by it.

"I am pleased to see Sony taking responsibility for their racially-charged ad and appropriately pulling it from the marketplace," Yee said. "Sony did the right thing by recognizing their insensitive mistake and apologizing for offending many of their customers."

Yee was backed in his condemnation of Sony by representatives from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the civil rights education group Sojourn to the Past. Sony originally defended the ad, saying its only intent was to contrast the colors of its two models of PSP. It still didn't sit well for Rick Callender, president of the San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP.
As most of you will remember, there was quite a heated debate here on Evil Avatar (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14632) about the content of the ads - does this development change your mind or reinforce the opinion you had in the first place?

[WastelandDan]

I still feel that while it may not have been entirely racist, every person on that ad team would have had to be a fucking moron not to have seen the problems that would arise from this. My guess is they were going for exposure via the adage "no publicity is bad publicity" and didn't anticipate just how much trouble would arise from it.

I feel the ad was tasteless and deliberatly confrontational and it's a good thing it was pulled. The last thing they need is more people thinking they have their heads up their asses.

[TrackZero]

It shows Sony has some class. They gained some respect from me for officially pulling this.

[lost]

Surely we are comfortable enough with people being black and white to use it as some sort of imagary. Whatever. It's been pulled, cant upset the masses.

[Dag-Sabot]

Unchanged: Sony's tasteless ad, while not overtly racist but wholly in poor taste was pulled only when someone let slip the chains of the civil rights blood hounds, as opportunist politicans sharpened their pitch forks and lit their torches in preperation. Pathetic.

[Zeal]

The ad wasn't even a big deal. People just sit around and search for something to whine about.

[fitbabits]

The ad wasn't even a big deal. People just sit around and search for something to whine about.
Like you and Sony, for example? :D

[RGetz]

The first time I saw the ad, my laptop screen was tilted back some, and I was only able to see the woman dressed in white. For the longest time I had no idea why anyone was finding the ad offensive.

[Dag-Sabot]

The first time I saw the ad, my laptop screen was tilted back some, and I was only able to see the woman dressed in white. For the longest time I had no idea why anyone was finding the ad offensive.
RACIST!!! lol
:D

[Zeal]

Sony may do stupid shit occasionally, but they easily have the most talented marketing team in the videogame industry. I don't think this can even be argued.

The ad's shock value got the attention of everyone, and that's exactly what it was meant to do. Great marketing.

Now if we can just get a Master Chief gripping Mario's fat face...

(I also thought it was funny. Owned.)

[laggerific]

I felt it was a stupid ad...there is absolutely no diff between the two, and yet somehow one is going to dominate the other...this sounds a lot like the issues with race that we are still facing today.

Maybe they were going for the opposite of the obvious yinyang visual...

Race issues haven't gone away, and will most likely never go away...no need for a company to be so insensitive to that...

[Evil Avatar]

It shows Sony has some class. They gained some respect from me for officially pulling this.

Are you a complete fool? They got their cake and got to eat it too... they got to show the ad and generate the word of mouth and then when they "pull" the ad, they suddenly become the good guys who are racially sensitive.

LOL.

They are playing people for suckers. They knew they would have to pull the ad from the beginning, but put it up anyway because they knew it would generate publicity.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Did it offend anyone where it was put? I thought it was only run in Holland or something.

[Siraris]

I think this is a sad day for humanity. Why can't something be expressed using human beings and not be considered racist? If a television show has an all white cast, it's considered racist. If a black actor doesn't win an academy award, it's because they are black.

Yea there is racism in the world, but this ad wasn't one of those places. It was using the human body as a way to portray a message, and now it's gone because it's offensive to people. Well, do you know what? This whole controversy offends me.

And why is a Chinese guy involved in this in the first place? There wasn't any Asians involved in this ad at all. If Al Sharpton was speaking out, I'd understand.

[TrackZero]

Are you a complete fool? They got their cake and got to eat it too... they got to show the ad and generate the word of mouth and then when they "pull" the ad, they suddenly become the good guys who are racially sensitive.

LOL.

They are playing people for suckers. They knew they would have to pull the ad from the beginning, but put it up anyway because they knew it would generate publicity.

Yes Evil, I'm a "complete fool". Of course I considered that. And Sony isn't getting anything positive from me more than my respect that they corrected their mistake and owned up to it. It's still not going to make me buy a PS3. And they're still dumbasses for making the ad in the first place.

Edit: Or if you want it in geek terms. They made their savings throw and only take half damage. Mind you, they're still taking damage....

[Zacharai]

Thing is, the ad is racially insensitive because it's a white person holding a black person down. If the roles were reversed, it would be racially insensitive because it would then represent a mugging (the black woman would be the thug). Aah!

Of course, the ad team could easily have not noticed this. In organizations of any size, different groups rarely communicate to each other well. I see this plenty in working for a small company (now about 40 employees, 15 when I started), and I'm sure it's more pronounced in larger ones. I'm betting most Sony employees first found out about the ad campaign at about the same time we did. The racial ramifications probably were discussed by the marketing managers, and then it was decided that if it was in Holland or wherever, it would be okay. They didn't think Americans would be pissed, half a world away.

[Siraris]

Thing is, the ad is racially insensitive because it's a white person holding a black person down. If the roles were reversed, it would be racially insensitive because it would then represent a mugging (the black woman would be the thug). Aah!

Of course, the ad team could easily have not noticed this. In organizations of any size, different groups rarely communicate to each other well. I see this plenty in working for a small company (now about 40 employees, 15 when I started), and I'm sure it's more pronounced in larger ones. I'm betting most Sony employees first found out about the ad campaign at about the same time we did. The racial ramifications probably were discussed by the marketing managers, and then it was decided that if it was in Holland or wherever, it would be okay. They didn't think Americans would be pissed, half a world away.

I hate linking to Kotaku because its the devil site, but I couldn't find the original site..

http://cache.kotaku.com/images/2006/07/black-psp-europe.png

[Heretic Machine]

The ad wasn't even a big deal. People just sit around and search for something to whine about.

It may not be "offensive" in the truest sense of the word, but it was obviously in bad taste, and they were obviously looking for a reaction. It was stupid, and it's stupidity irritates me more than anything else. Just like all of the other Sony ads that we've seen for the past year or so...

I liked the original PSP ads... they were somewhat amusing.

[Zeal]

Sony knew it was in bad taste and extremely controversial, so they did it. There's really no such thing as bad publicity.

As long as something makes people talk, it's good marketing.

Sony rep: Um....isn't the concept for this ad rather racist?
Sony rep: DUR. Launch it.

[Global Goblin]

it's great marketing because the psp is still not selling.

[Zeal]

That's because the PSP has no games, kinda like 360.

[fitbabits]

Edit: Or if you want it in geek terms. They made their savings throw and only take half damage. Mind you, they're still taking damage....
Just not massive damage! :)

[Heretic Machine]

There's really no such thing as bad publicity.

Smart people stopped believing that a long time ago. No such thing as bad publicity? Tell that to O.J. Simpson, Micheal Jackson, Ashley Simpson, or Take-Two Interactive.

[Zacharai]

I hate linking to Kotaku because its the devil site, but I couldn't find the original site..

Oh, good catch, Siraris. I had forgotten about that one.

[GrinR]

I hate linking to Kotaku because its the devil site, but I couldn't find the original site..

http://cache.kotaku.com/images/2006/07/black-psp-europe.png

Seriously? That pic is fucking hot. I would rent that movie. I would fap.





Kotaku link (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/racism/counterpoint-sony-ad-not-racist-185148.php)

[Bone]

They are playing people for suckers. They knew they would have to pull the ad from the beginning, but put it up anyway because they knew it would generate publicity.
You have just passed Advertising 101! Congrats :)

[JazGalaxy]

Surely we are comfortable enough with people being black and white to use it as some sort of imagary. Whatever. It's been pulled, cant upset the masses.

Firstly, one of my largest problems with the ad and societies conception of race in general is that I, as a 'black person" AM NOT REALLY BLACK. I have light brown skin that's almost almost orangy. Nor are white people, they will tell you, remotely white. And yet by labeling people black and white you reinforce the inherent connotations of "good" and "bad". It's largely subconscoius in general society, but it is deeply ingrained into society. White is pure, black is tainted. White is innocent, black is sinister. The ad, which I'm not saying is at all trying to portray black people as sinister beyond the normal color connotations, does nothing but reinforce and grind in that social stereotype of dark skinned people being "black" and light skinned people being "white".

Secondly, the ad has nothing to do with black and white as imagery. It has to do with the expressions, the physical poses of the figures, and the blatant use of race as a factor in the creation of the image that makes it offensive. Anyone who has ever seen black and white photographic art can attest to the fact that dark skinned figures are OFTENTIMES juxtaposed against lighter skinned figures. In fact it's something of a photography cliche.

What is unacceptable in the advertisement isn't it's use of etnicity, it's it's use of racial conflict to sell video game units.

As a black person in America, the struggle is very real and something I deal with every day, and seeing a company try to use it hock their crummy products is on the same line as a commercial using Sept. 11 footage to sell... I don't know... hamburgers.

[GrinR]

As a black person in America, the struggle is very real and something I deal with every day, and seeing a company try to use it hock their crummy products is on the same line as a commercial using Sept. 11 footage to sell... I don't know... hamburgers.

Not really. The sad story of discrimination is about as new as humanity. It's just now you can use that sob story to GET stuff. Sept. 11th was an assault on civilization itself, which in some ways is what makes that grift possible. So, not quite the best comparison.

Interesting commentary re. the photos, though!

[Jack B]

I think Racism and racial inequality still exist today partially, because many people can't agree on what it is or when it's happening.... We're a long ways away from ending racism. Blatant tarrings yes, but subtle or not so subtle racism in our everyday lives, no.

Racism - a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

Sony Ad - It objectifies the white and black skin color of the two individuals.

1. The woman in the agressive/dominant superior position is white and there are no props of any kind to infer any other meaning than white skin color is dominant over black skin color.

The "White is Coming" makes the point clear. It's text book.

I think it was Garnett Lee who mentioned you might not see the black woman replaced with a Japanese woman if it their other PSP color was yellow not black. At what point to we stop. An American Indian to represent a Red PSP.

Would a White American referring to a Japanese as Yellow be offensive? How about an ad of a Japanese woman being grabbed in the face by a White American.

"White is Coming". How well do you think that ad would play on Tokyo's billboards?

What color for Mexican's? Iraqi's? Irish? Puerto Rican's? What about Jews? Can we objectify them with a color?

It matters not, that another ad across town has the roles reversed. It matters not that the ad team may not believe they created an ad that was anything other than pretty art. It matters not, that a member or members of the ad team were black.

It's a straight forward black race dominates white race without any gaming or any other props in the picture to take the focus on the color of the skin.

The final face grab is really well done. The grabbing of someone's face is almost an indian coup type image. It's angry superior parent grabbing a disrespecting child type image. Very powerful visual image.

[GrinR]

I think Racism and racial inequality still exist today partially, because many people can't agree on what it is or when it's happening.... We're a long ways away from ending racism. Blatant tarrings yes, but subtle or not so subtle racism in our everyday lives, no.

Racism - a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

Sony Ad - It objectifies the white and black skin color of the two individuals.

1. The woman in the agressive/dominant superior position is white and there are no props of any kind to infer any other meaning than white skin color is dominant over black skin color.

The "White is Coming" makes the point clear. It's text book.

I think it was Garnett Lee who mentioned you might not see the black woman replaced with a Japanese woman if it their other PSP color was yellow not black. At what point to we stop. An American Indian to represent a Red PSP.

Would a White American referring to a Japanese as Yellow be offensive? How about an ad of a Japanese woman being grabbed in the face by a White American.

"White is Coming". How well do you think that ad would play on Tokyo's billboards?

What color for Mexican's? Iraqi's? Irish? Puerto Rican's? What about Jews? Can we objectify them with a color?

It matters not, that another ad across town has the roles reversed. It matters not that the ad team may not believe they created an ad that was anything other than pretty art. It matters not, that a member or members of the ad team were black.

It's a straight forward black race dominates white race without any gaming or any other props in the picture to take the focus on the color of the skin.

The final face grab is really well done. The grabbing of someone's face is almost an indian coup type image. It's angry superior parent grabbing a disrespecting child type image. Very powerful visual image.


Toomuchfreetimeitis.

[captainstrombosis]

As a black person in America, the struggle is very real and something I deal with every day, and seeing a company try to use it hock their crummy products is on the same line as a commercial using Sept. 11 footage to sell... I don't know... hamburgers.

Get over yourself. I'm sorry, but every minority has trouble. Atleast your people got taken from the shithole that is Africa and planted here in America where you live better in ghetto's than the general populace where you came from. It's not just blacks...or browns...or Orangy not quite brownies... This add does nothing to you. It didn't steal any of your rights. Anyone with a real struggle against The Man! would laugh at your outrage over a stupid ad compaign.

I don't mind people getting righteous about things...but this is an ad that wasn't even used in America.

[Zeal]

"White is Coming". How well do you think that ad would play on Tokyo's billboards?
Add a Microsoft logo to that and it would be the most hilarious marketing campaign in history.

Maybe a poster with a gigantic Xbox 360.

[Thenetcase]

Sony is a bunch of a racist ho bags! :D

[Jack B]

Toomuchfreetimeitis.

Yep, but I'm trying to stand up for what I believe in a hopefully make a small small dent.

If one person becomes even "less" racist the world would be a better place, so I don't believe the effort is a waste. Just like donating to the Red Cross. Sure not all the money gets to the people in need, but some of it does...

[Jack B]

Get over yourself. I'm sorry, but every minority has trouble. Atleast your people got taken from the shithole that is Africa and planted here in America where you live better in ghetto's than the general populace where you came from. It's not just blacks...or browns...or Orangy not quite brownies... This add does nothing to you. It didn't steal any of your rights. Anyone with a real struggle against The Man! would laugh at your outrage over a stupid ad compaign.

I don't mind people getting righteous about things...but this is an ad that wasn't even used in America.

Ouch... "your people"...

[Siraris]

I think Racism and racial inequality still exist today partially, because many people can't agree on what it is or when it's happening.... We're a long ways away from ending racism. Blatant tarrings yes, but subtle or not so subtle racism in our everyday lives, no.

Racism - a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

Sony Ad - It objectifies the white and black skin color of the two individuals.

1. The woman in the agressive/dominant superior position is white and there are no props of any kind to infer any other meaning than white skin color is dominant over black skin color.

The "White is Coming" makes the point clear. It's text book.

I think it was Garnett Lee who mentioned you might not see the black woman replaced with a Japanese woman if it their other PSP color was yellow not black. At what point to we stop. An American Indian to represent a Red PSP.

Would a White American referring to a Japanese as Yellow be offensive? How about an ad of a Japanese woman being grabbed in the face by a White American.

"White is Coming". How well do you think that ad would play on Tokyo's billboards?

What color for Mexican's? Iraqi's? Irish? Puerto Rican's? What about Jews? Can we objectify them with a color?

It matters not, that another ad across town has the roles reversed. It matters not that the ad team may not believe they created an ad that was anything other than pretty art. It matters not, that a member or members of the ad team were black.

It's a straight forward black race dominates white race without any gaming or any other props in the picture to take the focus on the color of the skin.

The final face grab is really well done. The grabbing of someone's face is almost an indian coup type image. It's angry superior parent grabbing a disrespecting child type image. Very powerful visual image.

Jack, I understand your sentiments, but it doesn't apply to this ad. First of all, what does the image I posted signify? Isnt' that "racist" towards white people? It has nothing to do with the fact the woman is black other than it represents the color of the PSP system.

The idea of using an Asian person or a Latino person to advertise is ludicrous and would never happen (who would make a brown or a yellow game system?). I know Latinos who are brown, black and even white. I never understood the whole yellow asian thing. I have lots of asian friends, none of them are yellow.

[TrackZero]

The idea of using an Asian person or a Latino person to advertise is ludicrous and would never happen (who would make a brown or a yellow game system?).

Who indeed?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Donkeykong1.jpg

Well, brown and orange. ;)

[Kamalot]

If the advert isn't racist, it IS racially-charged.

Lets take a look at the advert.
Black woman
White woman
Violence

What kind of target audience are they trying to attract?

Come buy our stuff if you like people of different color fighting each other!

These adverts tap into some evil part of the human psyche for nothing more than shock value. They don't show the product, the enjoyment that one could get from the product or the features of the product. Instead, the advertisements turn the PSP into something superficial and angry.

These arvertisements are not only poor advertisements; they are trashy, sick and not at all clever.

[Kamalot]

And to anyone who claims the ad isn't important because it was run in a country other than the one in which they live...welcome to the global world. We now live in a world without borders thanks to the Internet. You've seen the ad, as have others.

Open your eyes and your mind. You may have to close your mouth in the process.

[bapenguin]

Good for Sony. It's ashame this wasn't their first response.

[Jack B]

Jack, I understand your sentiments, but it doesn't apply to this ad. First of all, what does the image I posted signify? Isnt' that "racist" towards white people? It has nothing to do with the fact the woman is black other than it represents the color of the PSP system.

The idea of using an Asian person or a Latino person to advertise is ludicrous and would never happen (who would make a brown or a yellow game system?). I know Latinos who are brown, black and even white. I never understood the whole yellow asian thing. I have lots of asian friends, none of them are yellow.

Good grief. The way your mind works is truly fascinating.... You make about as much sense as Rosanna Rosanna Danna sometimes... :(

I've never understood this whole yellow Asian thing...? Who would make a Yellow or Brown game system?

That's classic Rosanna Rosanna Danna logic. It's funny, scary and sad all at the same time.

[JazGalaxy]

Get over yourself. I'm sorry, but every minority has trouble. Atleast your people got taken from the shithole that is Africa and planted here in America where you live better in ghetto's than the general populace where you came from. It's not just blacks...or browns...or Orangy not quite brownies... This add does nothing to you. It didn't steal any of your rights. Anyone with a real struggle against The Man! would laugh at your outrage over a stupid ad compaign.

I don't mind people getting righteous about things...but this is an ad that wasn't even used in America.


See this is basically such an ignorant post that it proves just how racist this society is.

"my people" aren't from africa, thank you very much. I never said anything about being from africa. I said I was black, and that my skin was light brown and orangish.

You just assumed I was from Africa because you're ignorant about a whole section of the populace, yet think you know enough to tell people to "get over yourself".

That's the problem with racist. They think they know everything and are too stupid to realize they don't know anything.

[Kamalot]

Good grief. The way your mind works is truly fascinating.... You make about as much sense as Rosanna Rosanna Danna sometimes... :(
Yeah...Siraris confused and disturbed me with his post...almost like it was okay to use the color of people as a way to sell systems, as long as the colors accurately portray the color of both people and systems. ? :confused: ?

[Kamalot]

That's the problem with racist. They think they know everything and are too stupid to realize they don't know anything.People don't run into problems with the things they don't know...it the things they know for sure that cause the problems. :cool:

[GrinR]

Yep, but I'm trying to stand up for what I believe in a hopefully make a small small dent.

If one person becomes even "less" racist the world would be a better place, so I don't believe the effort is a waste. Just like donating to the Red Cross. Sure not all the money gets to the people in need, but some of it does...

Absolutely fair enough - and a respectable retort to my off the cuff dismissal, to boot!

You said:

"I think Racism and racial inequality still exist today partially, because many people can't agree on what it is or when it's happening.... We're a long ways away from ending racism. Blatant tarrings yes, but subtle or not so subtle racism in our everyday lives, no."

And I agree with most of that, barring the "subtle or not so subtle" wherein the devil lies. I don't have a problem with racism. I have a problem with unfairness. It doesn't bother me if someone doesn't like blacks or Chinese or gays or whatever - it bothers me when they act to suppress that person and that person has no recourse. It's bullying, for me, plain and simple.

It's the suppression of thought and feeling that I reject, and believe most of the anti-racism program supports. That billboard wasn't holding anyone down. It wasn't stopping anyone from doing anything. Was it offensive to some? Sure. Are ads with sexy women offensive to some? Sure. Are ads making light of religion (funny or not) offensive to some? Sure.

If offense becomes an actionable experience, we're going to have a pretty suppressed world... and I daresay an oppressed world when that suppression becomes social policy and/or law.

The people who found the sign offensive? Don't buy Sony. Problem solved.

[Siraris]

Good grief. The way your mind works is truly fascinating.... You make about as much sense as Rosanna Rosanna Danna sometimes... :(


That's a copout, answer my question. Is the image I posted racist? That's also from the campaign.

I'm not saying they should start using peoples color as a way to sell systems, but theres nothing wrong with using the human body as a form of expression. Why don't you go chastize Apple for their ipod ads with the dancing black figurines? Why aren't they racist for not making them white? It's such a silly argument, I don't even know why I'm partaking.

[Captain Awesome]

Sony should make an ad with two dogs fucking and and PSP sitting on ther other side. Then at the bottom it can read:

"Would you rather see this? or this?"

[Jack B]

Absolutely fair enough - and a respectable retort to my off the cuff dismissal, to boot!

You said:

"I think Racism and racial inequality still exist today partially, because many people can't agree on what it is or when it's happening.... We're a long ways away from ending racism. Blatant tarrings yes, but subtle or not so subtle racism in our everyday lives, no."

And I agree with most of that, barring the "subtle or not so subtle" wherein the devil lies. I don't have a problem with racism. I have a problem with unfairness. It doesn't bother me if someone doesn't like blacks or Chinese or gays or whatever - it bothers me when they act to suppress that person and that person has no recourse. It's bullying, for me, plain and simple.

It's the suppression of thought and feeling that I reject, and believe most of the anti-racism program supports. That billboard wasn't holding anyone down. It wasn't stopping anyone from doing anything. Was it offensive to some? Sure. Are ads with sexy women offensive to some? Sure. Are ads making light of religion (funny or not) offensive to some? Sure.

If offense becomes an actionable experience, we're going to have a pretty suppressed world... and I daresay an oppressed world when that suppression becomes social policy and/or law.

The people who found the sign offensive? Don't buy Sony. Problem solved.

GrinR, those were interesting points. The summary comment I'd make to your post is that William Shakespeare said, "The pen is mightier than the sword", so the subtle and more commonplace racism (more common place than lynchings and tarrings for an extreme example) are the ones that do the dirty work or continuing to keep racism alive.

The other approach to your post is to look at freedom of speech and who decides what is morally right or racist etc. It's always a tough tough call and it's a battleground.

Every society has different moral high ground at different points in their history. Fairness is certainly a noble standard to apply, but even that couldn't be used to eliminate free speech.

In the end, our society has determined that racism is in bad taste and generally most Western societies (and many others to be fair) have decided it should take precedent over free speech.

Sony pulled their ads, not because it was illegal, but because it was in bad taste and offended a percentage of the global population.

That's probably all we can hope for... I wouldn't want to eliminate free speech or suppress ideas to eliminate racism. I would want to eliminate racism with education and compassion.

A dream for sure, but then again, Martin Luther King said it best, "I Have a Dream...".

[Evil Avatar]

Sony should make an ad with two dogs fucking and and PSP sitting on ther other side. Then at the bottom it can read:

"Would you rather see this? or this?"

Sir, that type of ad would be insensitive to people who enjoy bestiality (which is still not illegal in most states including here in Arizona).

[Zeal]

Political corectness and 'tolerance' has been exagirated in this day and age to sickening levels. The result of this cultural brainwashing is a bunch of overly sensitive pussies.

Everyone also somehow fails to mention the simple fact that the PSP sucks and is pointless.

[noname989]

The people who found the sign offensive? Don't buy Sony. Problem solved.

Uh, isnt that basically what happened in this case? Sony decided to pull the ad fearing a backlash (and loss of sales) do to the "offensive" nature of the advertisment. IMO this a classic example of market forces and free speech at work. The government wasnt envolved at all in this situation.

[Siraris]

Sony pulled their ads, not because it was illegal, but because it was in bad taste and offended a percentage of the global population.

That's probably all we can hope for... I wouldn't want to eliminate free speech or suppress ideas to eliminate racism. I would want to eliminate racism with education and compassion.


Sony pulled the ad because of a vocal minority, or because this was what they hoped would happen all along so that anyone who made a stink they could pull it and look good.

George Bush has offended a much larger precentage of the worlds population thatn this advertisement, and yet he keeps on trucking along. I can't stand GB, but if theres one thing I can respect him for, its his resolve. He doesn't pussy foot, he's extremely confident in what he believes in, and he doesn't let anyone push him around.

Putting out this ad, and then taking it down when it has NO RACIAL CONNOTATION WHATSOEVER, is letting someone push you around. If you want to talk about subtle racial undertones, look elsewhere. Go bang on Anne Coulters door. This isn't the place to be yelling "RACISM RACISM!!!".

If the ad was only the image I previously posted, no one would give a shit, which is just hypocritical. Just because black people have taken the brunt of the racism over the past couple hundred years, doesn't mean that there isn't racism against every other type of person in the world. Why don't white people get pissed off at black people for portraying them as pompus snobs who don't know how to dance and can't play sports?

This ad is an expression, you can read into it whatever the hell you want, but it's not racist in the least. It's bullshit arguments that people make over this kind of stuff that DEGRADES the actual meaning of racism. People need to focus on where the true roots of racism lie if they want to fight it, not pick petty battles and try and repress anyone from trying to express themselves. The same thing has happened with the genocide, and many other facets of our society. It's disgusting.

[Evil Avnovice]

It's nice that Sony pulled the ad. Now...if that sweet DS Lite mock-up could make itself public to the world... :)

[Evil Avnovice]

Seriously? That pic is fucking hot. I would rent that movie. I would fap.





Kotaku link (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/racism/counterpoint-sony-ad-not-racist-185148.php)

The more I look at that particular one, the more I'm feeling kinda aroused myself. :o

Shorty in white looks sooooo sexy! :)

[Jack B]

Putting out this ad, and then taking it down when it has NO RACIAL CONNOTATION WHATSOEVER, is letting someone push you around. If you want to talk about subtle racial undertones, look elsewhere. Go bang on Anne Coulters door. This isn't the place to be yelling "RACISM RACISM!!!".

The same thing has happened with the genocide, and many other facets of our society. It's disgusting.

I won't debate with you. I made that mistake before. I'm OK with differing opinions, but I just need some sense of logic. You are just too bizarre.

[captainstrombosis]

And to anyone who claims the ad isn't important because it was run in a country other than the one in which they live...welcome to the global world. We now live in a world without borders thanks to the Internet. You've seen the ad, as have others.

Open your eyes and your mind. You may have to close your mouth in the process.

Keep your own advice. We can't go save the thousands of people being massacred around the globe but we CAN dictate to them how they should be advertised too? Shut up. Seriously.

[Siraris]

I won't debate with you. I made that mistake before. I'm OK with differing opinions, but I just need some sense of logic. You are just too bizarre.

I'm bizarre? I'd suggest looking in the mirror once in a while. You can pussy foot around the issues all you want, but when it comes down to it you're just a pompous arrogant person. You make sweeping conjectures every day, many times with very little background in what you are talking about, and then sugar coat it by claiming that you're Mr. Middle-of-the-road, everything is peachy keen, sunshine and lollipops, let's throw in some quotes. Who the hell prefaces a quote with "William Shakespear once said...". Anyone with a high school education knows that William Shakespear allegedly said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and yes, it is mightier than the sword. You can be substantially more hurtful to someone in a non-physical way. Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

You then go on with your high-falooting attitude talking about you wanting to fight racism but not suppress free speech, and that quote from Martin Luther King made me shed a bit of a tear. Excuse me, but by taking down this ad, not only has free speech been suppressed, but NOTHING has been done to combat racism. The only thing that has been done is another victory for the vocal minority, and one more victory for censors who are ruining our most basic freedom of free speech. Oh, and might I add spreading their censorship to effect other countries now, in particular a place known for its openness in embracing peoples freedoms.

Ever see the episode of the Simpsons with David? That episode is so dead on it's not even funny. MY GOD, A MANS PENIS, COVER THAT UP! I can go look in the mirror and see mine, but a beautiful piece of work that epitomizes the beauty of the human body, AVERT THINE EYES CHILDREN, TIS THE DEVILS WORK! Everyone is so vain. If someone is offended by something, they have to let everyone know of the travesty commited against them. It's simply a way to cry out for attention.

It's the same as those people who are crying foul about the push to give girls the vaccination against the virus that can cause ovarian cancer because they think it is giving the green light for young people to have more sex. Uhh, young people have sex no matter what you do, this is just helping to SAVE PEOPLES LIVES.

Racism exists because it is inherant in human nature to judge others. It's not like racism against blacks is the beginning and the end. Everyone judges everyone else in one way or another, and by censoring it we're just AVOIDING it. It's sad that we as humans are so quick to judge others, but taking down ads like this isn't helping anyone to overcome racial differences. We're not educating anyone, we're just instigating the growing censorship that is so prevalent in our society.

The only reason that most people thought that ad was racist is because they didn't see the OTHER ads. 3 seperate ads, one of the black and white women preparing to duel, one of the white woman having the upper hand, the other of the black woman having the upper hand. The image of the white woman holding the black womans face is MUCH tamer than the ad of the black woman PINNING the white woman to the ground looking like she's going to beat her sensless. I could so easily make an argument about the racism in that image, but I am not because ITS NOT RACIST. And of course, no one can look at the big picture of how all 3 ads tie together, they only pick the part that suits their purpose.

You claim that I am bizarre, you claim that I don't use logic, well I'm sorry, you need to take a step back and reexamine things. You're a hypocrit in every sense of the word.

[captainstrombosis]

See this is basically such an ignorant post that it proves just how racist this society is.

"my people" aren't from africa, thank you very much. I never said anything about being from africa. I said I was black, and that my skin was light brown and orangish.

You just assumed I was from Africa because you're ignorant about a whole section of the populace, yet think you know enough to tell people to "get over yourself".

That's the problem with racist. They think they know everything and are too stupid to realize they don't know anything.

I don't see a point in being politically correct. You have to prove your worth to me. I don't give a shit who you are. That comes from growing up in a society that thinks all of MY people (Inuits) are drunks. Sorry if the term "your people" pissed you off. But that's just you assuming I was being derogatory and not speaking from the background of someone who has lived in a tribal society and thinks "your people" is something to be proud of. My mistake for not using the politically correct bullshit.

Oh and "Get over yourself" had nothing to do about where your from. It had to do with everyone else having to deal with the same shit. So...Get over yourself.

[Jack B]

I'm bizarre? I'd suggest looking in the mirror once in a while. You can pussy foot around the issues all you want, but when it comes down to it you're just a pompous arrogant person. You make sweeping conjectures every day, many times with very little background in what you are talking about, and then sugar coat it by claiming that you're Mr. Middle-of-the-road, everything is peachy keen, sunshine and lollipops, let's throw in some quotes. Who the hell prefaces a quote with "William Shakespear once said...". Anyone with a high school education knows that William Shakespear allegedly said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and yes, it is mightier than the sword. You can be substantially more hurtful to someone in a non-physical way. Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

You then go on with your high-falooting attitude talking about you wanting to fight racism but not suppress free speech, and that quote from Martin Luther King made me shed a bit of a tear. Excuse me, but by taking down this ad, not only has free speech been suppressed, but NOTHING has been done to combat racism. The only thing that has been done is another victory for the vocal minority, and one more victory for censors who are ruining our most basic freedom of free speech. Oh, and might I add spreading their censorship to effect other countries now, in particular a place known for its openness in embracing peoples freedoms.

Ever see the episode of the Simpsons with David? That episode is so dead on it's not even funny. MY GOD, A MANS PENIS, COVER THAT UP! I can go look in the mirror and see mine, but a beautiful piece of work that epitomizes the beauty of the human body, AVERT THINE EYES CHILDREN, TIS THE DEVILS WORK! It's the same as those people who are crying foul about the push to give girls the vaccination against the virus that can cause ovarian cancer because they think it is giving the green light for young people to have more sex. Uhh, young people have sex no matter what you do, this is just helping to SAVE PEOPLES LIVES.

Racism exists because it is inherant in human nature to judge others. It's not like racism against blacks is the beginning and the end. Everyone judges everyone else in one way or another, and by censoring it we're just AVOIDING it. It's sad that we as humans are so quick to judge others, but taking down ads like this isn't helping anyone to overcome racial differences. We're not educating anyone, we're just instigating the growing censorship that is so prevalent in our society.

The only reason that most people thought that ad was racist is because they didn't see the OTHER ads. 3 seperate ads, one of the black and white women preparing to duel, one of the white woman having the upper hand, the other of the black woman having the upper hand. The image of the white woman holding the black womans face is MUCH tamer than the ad of the black woman PINNING the white woman to the ground looking like she's going to beat her sensless. I could so easily make an argument about the racism in that image, but I am not because ITS NOT RACIST. And of course, no one can look at the big picture of how all 3 ads tie together, they only pick the part that suits their purpose.

You claim that I am bizarre, you claim that I don't use logic, well I'm sorry, you need to take a step back and reexamine things. You're a hypocrit in every sense of the word.

I used to read your posts. I'm getting to the point, I just don't bother. You are such a trip.

[captainstrombosis]

I used to read your posts. I'm getting to the point, I just don't bother. You are such a trip.

Actually that post did have very clear logic behind it. So did you actually read it or just dismiss it?

[Siraris]

I used to read your posts. I'm getting to the point, I just don't bother. You are such a trip.

You are living proof that the public conversation is dominated by those whose minds are unalterably made up. Unfortunately, we have come to view the man or woman whose views remain steadfast, even in the face of overwhelmingly evidentiary assault, as a kind of moral hero. You people are not heroes, of course; you're frankly just stubborn and close-minded.

I will say it again, a hypocrit in every sense of the word. Pushing your ideals and values on everyone else around you yet not caring to listen to evidence to the contrary.

[captainstrombosis]

Well, one good thing about racism.

Atleast while racism is alive, there are still different races. Good thing the Nazi's didn't win...

[harbo]

You americans are so silly about these things. How you ever let such issues seep into the society at large from interest group activism is something that doesn't stop astonishing me. You've changed yourselves into a group where having certain thoughts is now crimethink and most of you don't even get it.

[Jack B]

You are living proof that the public conversation is dominated by those whose minds are unalterably made up. Unfortunately, we have come to view the man or woman whose views remain steadfast, even in the face of overwhelmingly evidentiary assault, as a kind of moral hero. You people are not heroes, of course; you're frankly just stubborn and close-minded.

I will say it again, a hypocrit in every sense of the word. Pushing your ideals and values on everyone else around you yet not caring to listen to evidence to the contrary.

You have no evidence to the contrary. I could point point out many many lapses in logic and reasoning in your posts, but there is no point. You have your definition of what that ad represents and Sony and many others have theirs. Sony did not retract the ad, because of a minority. They retracted their ad, because the more intelligent executives at Sony realized the mistake made by an ad group in Amsterdam. There is no place for ads in this world using skin color to objectify humans. It's not that complicated.

You and I just cannot communicate. If you want to try and badger me into getting into a debate, go for it. I'll discuss issues with many on Evil Avatar, but I've learned my lesson with you.

You're mind does not work like mine and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

[Goronmon]

The ad isn't racist, nor is it in bad taste. Its a simple representation of two colors of games systems by using two people with similar skin colors. So what? Its not hurting anyone, declaring one race's supremacy over the other...nothing. If people want to interpret it as somehow racially charged fine. If people decide they find it offensive all the power to them. I mean, I could find someone offended by the fact that I wear sandals to work. Its pretty damn easy to offend people these days. Almost anything can be in "bad taste" if you really want it to be.

My first reaction to that ad was that is was a cool contrast and visually striking. If your first reaction was that it showed a white woman "beating up" a black woman, or asserting her dominance over that person...well, I just feel sorry for you.

[Dracula-X]

The ads didn't strike me as racist. My friends & coworkers of color have no problem with it either it seems. Go figure.

Given that it was targeted towards Netherlanders (where the ads were not a problem) I'm surprised what promised to be an interesting ad campaign got pulled so quickly. Oh, of course, America looking to tell the world how to run its business, again. We can't have the heathen Europeans playing with color all willy-nilly like that, can we? :)

[absolut taco]

Sir, that type of ad would be insensitive to people who enjoy bestiality (which is still not illegal in most states including here in Arizona).
WTF does bestiality have to do with this? No one said a dog and a human were making love. :D