Racist KFC ad

There's plenty of history of racism in NZ though.

so what was ignorant exactly? that it could be perceived as racist, maybe?

Ignorance, by KFC, that it could have been percieved as racist. Realistically how many Australians associate fried chicken and African American slavery? I personally would never have put the two together if it weren't for this incident, not because I'm racist, but because I've never known any better.

Fair enough

I find it hard to believe KFC, with all their money thrown in to marketing and market research, could fail to see the link when some average joes* on a football forum can, but it's possible I guess.

* I mean that lovingly.

There sure is Buffy, but I'm afraid it's not something we've come to grips with as yet.

So Timmy, if an overseas corporation makes an ad that stereotypes Maori in some way it's not racist as long as they are ignorant of that stereotype? To me that just makes it worse.

For some reason, reading term_x post reminded me of when the Spice Girls did a concert here and did the All Blacks Haka. I was not a happy chappy when they showed it on the news. Still I saw it more as pure ignorance rather than racism, they weren't out to offend anybody, but really should have known better. If I was to move to the USA today, make friends with an African American and offer to buy them some KFC (assuming this whole current KFC saga never happened, and I didn't know how offended people would get), would I be racist?

The text comments on that video...oh dear. There's some hateful people out there.

Youtube comments. The worst thing on the internet.

Regardless of race, there are more important things in life than getting their chicken!!

BUT WHAT WILL THE FAMILY EAT???!

Makes for some good trolling action though.

Is that the level of comprehension for you? I now understand why you think its racist. remember to look left and right before crossing the road, dear.

If the crowd was white and the guy was black would there be such an up roar??

Yes, because he's the only black person in the crowd, therefore black people are disproportionately represented in cricket crowds.
Wongo2010-01-12 08:56:34

Facepalm.

Another facepalm.

This reminds me of an advertisment that appeared somewhat briefly on Australian television in the mid 90's for a brand of sunscreen. C-Diddy2010-01-12 13:08:20

Just out of curiosity - how do the people who feel the ad was racist feel about these?



Bearing in mind that "eskimo" is outright a racist ethnic slur, yet this context is all but unheard of in NZ (indeed I'd probably not even know were it not for a Canadian ex). Just putting it out there.

I'm personally in the "racist by ignorance rather than intent" camp for both issues and think KFC should have been a hell of a lot smarter, especially in this globalized world. Even though only Americans would find it offensive, there's nothing stopping it from reaching America and causing offence - not the best move for a business. Unless you're good at it a la Hell Pizza

Wasn't keen to get back into this thread, but for what it's worth i do respect that it is racism by ignorance (as i did not know that it was a slur before the Canadian tourist brought it up - and then a bit of internet trawling).

Yeah but criticising KFC for something they clearly didnt intend is a bit rough. Same with Allens with eskimos,they didnt intend it and i dont see anyone going around criticising them for it.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Well I think it's more important how an organisation or someone responds to having the information that something is offensive.

So everyone should never do anything ever,for fear that it may offend someone...?

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

Has this become the el g clich� quote dump thread now?

And facepalm.

Glad someone picked up on it.

You probably think the movie Avatar is racist too then.

Therefore, virtually everything in your world is 'racist', as anything that isn't at the absolute end of your 'scale' that you apply must be.

Glad I don't live in your world.

Me too. My goodness it must be a sad life if everything you look at has a negative undertone to it somehow. It just makes me frustrated reading posts like that.

Chill TM.

Term-X is actually giving this a bit of thought and analysis.

Unfortunately life isn't all peachy and luvvly jubbly. A bit of life experience will no doubt help you my young paduan.

Yes, you could. Doesn't that strike you as odd?

I am not advocating radical action or protests in the streets about every minor incident of racism that you may encounter on a day to day basis. But I am definitely advocating greater awareness. By being aware of the small stuff you will eventually start to see a bigger picture, and it's the big picture that we should be working on as a society if we really consider ourselves civilised.

I consider the mark of a civilised society one where people can say and do as they please without others getting unnecessarily offended at everything.

You don't have to. Which is a point very much at the heart of this thread.

Try and imagine what your life would be like if you were born a different colour. Would it be better or worse? Is there any reason why it should be better or worse?

If you a really honest are you glad you were born the colour you are or do you wish you could change?