Racist White PSP Ad [Update 3]
The new white PSP is coming to Europe soon, and Sony’s marketing department has put together an ad that will certainly be “controversial” (read: racist). The billboard shows a white woman, white hair and white clothes “abusing” a black individual. I bet she’s thinking “white PSP power”. Clearly this doesn’t appeal to anyone else than Starbucks Moccachino-drinking buzzword-throwing Manhattan marketers. I feel like getting rid of my (black) PSP in protest.
You can find the ad (and other images) on the Dutch PSP site. [Thanks, Joseph]
[Update 1] Sony has responded to the criticism while speaking to gameindsutry.biz, defending the ad campaign:
“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.
“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.”
Sony is saying there are no racial intentions, but there’s a reason many people have expressed discomfort over this. Sony also said that they have no plans of running the ad in the UK. Perhaps because the black poplulation is far greater in the UK than in Holland?
[UPDATE 2] Sony has now removed the controversial ads from their Dutch PSP site. I think that’s the last we’ll see of it.
[UPDATE 3] We have a follow-up story here.
[UPDATE 3] I’m closing the comments, things are getting a bit out of hand. You can read the follow-up story if you’re interested. Thanks to all that participated.
July 4th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
Like that’s gonna make people buy sony’s useles product. I hope the black community protests about this, clearly offensive ad.
July 4th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
I hope the whole community protests against that ad.
I didn’t expect such an fucking racist ad from sony.
July 4th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
I’m outraged by this.
July 4th, 2006 at 10:50 pm
i want to love this. but it does make me deeply uncomfortable …
July 4th, 2006 at 10:56 pm
and how is this racist…
July 4th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
if you wait one second, you can see other versions of the ad, the black girl is sitting on top of the whie girl grabbing her shirt and a third where they are standing in a sort of fighting position.
It’s still a no go ad campaign eventhough they try and even it out with the other two pics.
July 4th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
oh god, if the white chick got abused by the black no one would make an issue. stop being so easily *shocked*. it’s just a silly ad.
i like it. it’s funny. the white psp is superior anywayz
(although i have black :/)
thank god europeans are at least less narrow-minded and aren’t afraid to shock a little.
isn’t locoroco racist too?
go fight the real racists in the world.
July 4th, 2006 at 11:21 pm
I dunno, I think their agency was just trying to be clever and weird. You have Crispin + Porter making it impossible for companies to stand out now, so you have to do something wild. I wouldn’t go as far as racism though – that’s bad copy writing at best. Here’s my less sexy but more accurate edit:
“Albino is coming”
July 4th, 2006 at 11:52 pm
OMG ITS TEH RACISM COZ OF THE BLACK MAN!!!111one
July 4th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
Wow, Steven Stone sounds like a tit.
I thought the white PSP was out here? I almost bought a white PSP in Gamestation, before researching into firmwares and that. Unless they mean the rest of Europe.
Not a fan of racism myself.
July 5th, 2006 at 12:52 am
“Like that’s gonna make people buy sony’s useles product. I hope the black community protests about this, clearly offensive ad.”
RIGHT ON BROTHER. IF ANYONE EVEN MENTIONS ‘BLACK’ LETS ALL CALL RACIST RACIST RACIST OFFENSIVE OFFENSIVE OFFENSIVE
Ask a black person what he/she thinks.
July 5th, 2006 at 12:59 am
johnny: I’m black and I find it offensive. Sony should know better. It’s not that I’m gonna have sleepless nights about this, but it is offesive. Now I’m definitely not getting a PSP.
I agree with Matt Stone (the author), only “Starbucks Moccachino-drinking buzzword-throwing Manhattan marketers” can see the “fun” in this.
July 5th, 2006 at 1:05 am
Get a fucking life people, OMG OMG OMG BLACK PEOPLE GETTING ABUSED! What’s more racist, an innocent ‘hip’ ad or the people that find it offensive?
I mean, I’m gay myself and I don’t go bitching about everytime someone gets called fag over XBL, so get a life and get over this!
July 5th, 2006 at 1:08 am
Wow, what a dumb ad. I guess the Sony execs thought, “Hey, people weren’t pissed enough with our graffiti ad campaign for the PSP, so let’s do them one better!”
Idiots.
July 5th, 2006 at 1:18 am
I find it disgusting that people are knee-jerk reacting to an ad that isn’t even close to being racist.
The ad has no overt tone or message. The message you take from it is the message you put in it from your own perceptions. Knee-jerkers see racism. I see avant garde. You see a white person abusing a black person. I see the perception of “white” being elevated to the social status of “black” in the world of electronic finishes.
My ultimate point is that the knee-jerkers need to step back and analyze themselves to understand why it is they see this ad as racist. Personally, I think it’s because you’re all closet racists. You’re as sick and twisted as lonely rednecks who proclaim, “I AINT GAY” and silver spoon democrats who scream, “I HATE BIG MONEY”. Y’all need to take a hard look at yourselves right now.
July 5th, 2006 at 1:31 am
Knowing the people at sony they probably did know that pictures like these could start a contraversy, allthough I can’t really see what the big deal is.
Like Kami said, theres more pictures than the “racist”one your showing (and I think just showing everybody this one is pretty narrow minded, show people everything before they can judge).
As long as they don’t put this sign up in my street (I think it’s a pretty stupid picture) I don’t see what the big deal is.
July 5th, 2006 at 1:43 am
for some reason I’m reminded of Madonna in the early 90s, or at least it reminds of that style. This is pretty much like those suicide encouraging PSP ads in england, so it’s sony trying to push the limits of their audience.
but I think advertising “Hey! Your finger print smudges will show less on this model” is better then this ad.
July 5th, 2006 at 2:10 am
The cops will arrive, plant the incriminating evidence on a the black suspect (usually a gun and a kilo of coke?), beat the suspect for resisting arrest and then haul black ass to jail. AMERICA. FUCK YEAH.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:34 am
black = racist?? why people are so stupid and let the people live their life… Stop complaning about racism, it just disapear!! black peolpe live your life.. white people live your life!! stop thinking the other ones are talking about you!! we dont care about black or white.. we just ARE!!
July 5th, 2006 at 3:52 am
Yah this is a racist ad. What was sony thinking… they should have used an Asian guy and painted his skin black so it’s more multicultural
July 5th, 2006 at 5:01 am
Holy crap an ad that does its job. Listen the whole point of advertising is to get a buzz going about it. Positive or negative doesn’t matter. What matters is that people are talking about. That people are looking at it.
Think about it. Those ads that drive you crazy those ads that you find offensive do they stick in your mind. YUP what about the ads that don’t cause talk or don’t annoy or are not spectacular you know what I can’t think of one can you???
As far as the racism up on the board… Well I don’t see it would it still be considered racist if it was a cologne ad or better yet some sort of fashion ad?
If you truly are appalled by this ad the best thing you could do for it is well quite frankly not post it not put a discussion on about it instead your just creating more hype more publicity for sony and there white psp. Way to go.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have feelings about it but your feelings might be better directed at the company and not out in cyber space giving them more advertising expecially free.
July 5th, 2006 at 5:19 am
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the advertisement, other than everyone has to have something to go up in arms about, and be outraged about. No one can ever just be content, they need something to picket against. And racism, and “internet predators”, and things that could “potentially” harm children are at the peak of the list.
July 5th, 2006 at 5:21 am
Can i have the black PSP then?
July 5th, 2006 at 5:24 am
What does it say about me that I am so apathetic that I don’t even care about this at all?
Hate crimes happen every day, everywhere; people treat other people horribly all over the world all the time for no good reason. People rape children, kill dogs and cats for fun, and burn down churches. Right now, somebody is in their basement cooking up some crystal meth to sell to somebody else’s kids.
Somehow this just doesn’t seem very significant in comparison. So Sony is running a racist ad. What a surprise, it’s run by rich old white men.
July 5th, 2006 at 5:33 am
WOW, Just WOW! 1st of all to all the idiots out there that are offended by that sign, u people r retarded. I am not white, I myself am East Indian. Just because it says PSP white doesn’t necessarily mean its racist. And just cause theres a white girl, with white hair, doesn’t mean its racist.
I am just shocked that people will actually become offended by this. I mean, the PSP original, and PS2 were black, so does that mean the white people got angry and offended and have a right to protest? NO!!!! And incase any1’s wondering, I have friends from many races including: Slovak, Italian, Ukranian, Korean, Japanese, Phillipine, African, Afro American, Metee, Native American… So if any1 calls me racist, they probably dont know that I was born in South africa and been to several countries in my life and interacted with a huge variety of races. And I personally dont think this billboard of the PSP White is racially offensive. Some people like the color white more than other colors because of several reasons, & I doubt its because it represents their race.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:30 am
ugh. really… not sure how this gets past ANYONE… terrible.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:49 am
i think that for you to get offended means that you don’t think that two white people doing the same thing is the same. or two black people in the same position is the same…
until everyone can destroy past notions and realize that it shouldn’t matter what position either of them are in. this “racism” will always exist. the fact is, we should see 2 women (not 1 black woman and 1 white woman.) there is no reason to create special treatment especially since many are so up in arms about equal treatment.
by the by anyone who is wondering. I’m a filipino living in Albany, NY. however i grew up in australia and have visited the ppines a few times in recent years.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:25 am
That’s hilarious!
July 5th, 2006 at 11:13 am
I find it absolutely brilliant that most of you have to state your race to give your arguments some validation.
July 5th, 2006 at 11:15 am
I cant wait for the brown PSP, with the cloth wrap casing, or the yellow verion, with narrow, slanted screen.
July 5th, 2006 at 11:37 am
The problem is not that there is a white and a black person on this ad. the problem is that the white person hold the black person face and look agressive. the white person is dominating the black one. if they just wanna tell me that the white psp is comming than why they show me the white psp (its just the black one with another cover) and say “hey its new”
July 5th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
Who cares? Why should anybody be offended by this? It’s colors! Heck, it’s technically speaking not even that.
Who’d cry out if you replace White with yellow, pink, purple, blue, red, or green?
Absolutely NObody! People who cry out about stuff like this WANT to be offended. We’ve got far more serious problems to deal with on this planet other than some chuckleheads who enjoy fragging each other crying:
“OMG there’s no poticial correctness, kill them! Wiiiiitch!”
Get over it!
July 5th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Being black I don’t care about the ad. It’s a ad nothing more, now if it was a black man being whipped by a white slave master then I can see getting pissed off. There’s nothing better about the white version anyway, you just can see the smudges on the portable, I have the white japanese version.
Also, calling people retards, idiots or saying white is superior over black is just plain ignorant. All your doing is making he add look worse than it already is, so chill with the bullshit. Some people will take offence to this, do the right thing and hear them out instead of looking and sounding like a jackass. Other than that, brothers and Sisters you shouldn’t get worried about a damn thing, get your PS3 and PSP.
Thanks and have fun.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Racist???
Am I the only person who thought they weren’t fighting, but were about to have sex?
July 5th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
Utter and complete rubbish.
The ad portrays one woman showing power over another woman. That’s all. End of.
If it had been two white woman, two black woman or the roles reveresed would anybody have commented ? Eveybody seems to be looking for things to moan about these days – not realising they’re falling into the very trap they seek to avoid.
In another of the campaigns images the black girl is sitting on the white girl, giving *her* the edge that time round. Rascist ? Deplorable ? Just two girls on a poster ? I know which of the three I see.
Besides, who’s to say what the power base is between the two people pictured in this one ? For all we know one is about to kiss the other. Assuming negative intentions on the part of the “white” character is rascist in and of itself – saying the woman is doing bad things to the other becuase one is white and the other is black is worse than the perceived offence of the poster in the first place.
Sheesh. What next………….. {rolls eyes}
July 5th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
There is nothing overtly racist in this other than it displays a White Woman and a Black man (or is that a woman?). I thought that these where the times when inter-racial relationships and “less traditional relationships” *weren’t* supposed to bother us so much? I’m sure that Sony decided to make this Advertisment to offend a specific race… :rolls-eyes:
July 5th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Honestly, I’d do them both. I just see 2 hot females. I think it’s the actual statement that pisses off people “PSP white is coming” then you have the white chick grabbing the black chick, I can see how people can take offence to it.
July 5th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Ooh look at Sony being controversial, and all the usual people getting outraged.
here’s an idea how about they advertise the thing any old way and we all just ignore them.
Really, they are playing you lot like a frigging banjo.
It’s not about white, it’s not about black, IT’S ABOUT GREEN.
July 5th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Why come we never had a black president. I live in dc the power city and to me yes people we have a race problem still goin’ on just in modern time, it’s called Modern Slavery
July 5th, 2006 at 6:42 pm
>The message you take from it is the message you put in it from your own perceptions.
AMEN! Is it a person grabbing a person, or a white grabbing a black?
It’s the people who keep wanting to make race issues out of things that are causing the separation of races.
>Why come we never had a black president
HOW come we HAVE never had a woman president?
(not black, not white)
July 5th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
Ok, i realize some of you may “find this controversial” but grow up.
The only people who scream racism are those guilty of perpetuating the problem, those of you who “defend” posting “i’m from such and such a country (not white)” That’s all good and well, but your race/ethnicity doesn’t have a bearing on how valid your argument is/isn’t.
The ad isn’t racist, but YOUR warped perceptions of social status are.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
And to the article’s author “Matt Stone”.
Grats on writing a completely one-sided and short sighted piece, way to go the way of any major new outlet.
predictability, for the lose.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
Whites don’t find it racist just because they don’t freakin’ care. I found it to be stupid and don’t see how it helps promote the psp. I found the TV ads with the squirrels = Blacks and hair balls = Mexicans (or Latinos, in general) to be much more racist.
July 5th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
If the ad isn’t offensive, why has Sony removed it from the site?
Check the link again in the article.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
If OJ killed Nicole, why didn’t he go to jail?
racial tensions, rather than take a stand for something that wasn’t wrong to begin with, the corporation will buckle under any threat of “racism”, whether it be percieved or actual. Why? Because they are in it for money, not anything else. They aren’t going to fight any kind of resistance.
articles like yours only prove the point.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Yeah, run this ad in the US and see how long it lasts.
They are insane even tempting this sort of fate while the rest of their company is going to hell in a hand basket.
July 5th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
Oh my fucking God…who cares!?!??!?!
Let’s hypothetically say that the ad is racist, and that the ad is intended to show that white people are supirior to black people. STILL, who cares!? It’s a fucking ad. They did not kill any black people to get it, they aren’t encouraging people to kill black people, they’re encouraging people to buy their fucking product.
But more to the point, the ad isn’t racist at all. Sony executives aren’t racist, they just want to sell a product. They aren’t implying anything about white or black people, they’re saying that the white PSP is better than the black PSP.
If everyone in the world just smoked a damn joint and stopped caring, we’d be in such a better condition.
July 6th, 2006 at 12:12 am
I dont get it. whats racist in this ad?
now coming… easily pursvaded dumb blond punkchick
July 6th, 2006 at 3:02 am
well, whites ARE superior to blacks, so obviously this ad is proof of that.
July 6th, 2006 at 3:09 am
“I mean, I’m gay myself and I don’t go bitching about everytime someone gets called fag over XBL, so get a life and get over this!”
You are gay? kill youself plzkthx
July 6th, 2006 at 3:50 am
How is this racist? please tell me? is it because a white woman is holding the black womans face… ok do none of you know what “symbolism” is? seriously? the white woman isn’t being portrayed as a white woman, and the black woman isn’t being portrayed as a black woman, they are symbols of the PSP! quit fighting fights that are STUPID!
July 6th, 2006 at 4:03 am
Where is the black chick? I dont see her…
July 6th, 2006 at 4:09 am
I can’t believe how sad and pathetic the world has become where something like this is considered racist.
Does anyone here even know what being racist is?
You all think we should live in this world where we pretend not to notice that we’re all different shapes and sizes and colours..
Aknowledging that someone is black, or white or whatever doesn’t mean you are being racist. Even intentionally using the fact that someone is black.. or a midget or whatever for your purpose isn’t racist.
Now if Sony was encouraging some sort of violence towards black people.. or refusing to sell the system to black people.. that would be racist.
I quite like the picture.. it is well done.
And that graffiti was not a PSP advertising campain.. it was clearly anti-Sony and even had the words “Fony Paystation” under on of the pieces.
I like that we live in a world where we’ve brought such a high profile to real issues like racism.. but why are people, by and large, so stupid that they have to go into extremes on the other side of the coin.
July 6th, 2006 at 4:11 am
If anything I’d say the picture is casting the white person in a fairly negative light with her mean facial expression, hand held like a claw, upside down cross around her nack and witchy hair.
July 6th, 2006 at 4:28 am
It only seems racist because you all are being RACIST yourselves … more like a double standard. Now don’t get me wrong I haven’t a racist bone in my body, but I’m sick of people trying to fight racism with racism … which only leads to ..again.. double standards.. anyways its funny
July 6th, 2006 at 4:30 am
As a matter of fact.. why is everyone here so afraid to admit that it IS a black person being dominated by a white person.
You defend the ad but still ignore the facts.
We are just supposed to see two women?
We should stop seeing people for what they are and only see them for WHO they are. NO. We should only JUDGE them by who they are.. we should aknowledge WHAT everyone is. Some people are proud to be of a certain race.. why take that away from them?
There is a lot of culture and history that would be entirely wiped out if we all just pretended we were grey.
The ad DOES show a white woman dominating a black woman.. and indeed the choice of their race was intentional… but the ad isn’t talking about social issues, or politics or any race issues.. it is a metaphorical statement about consumer electronics, video game systems, athstetics.
It really woulnd’t be any different (other than less attention grabbing and identifiable) in it’s message if it was a white zebra stripe and a black zebra stripe or snow and oil or salt and pepper.. it just happens to be convient that people not only come in black and white but also have a turbulant history related to that very issue.
July 6th, 2006 at 5:12 am
bill Says:
July 6th, 2006 at 3:02 am
well, whites ARE superior to blacks, so obviously this ad is proof of that.
===========
Slaughtering the Indians….raping, kidnapping, murdering and stealing africans from their homes doesn’t make you superior…
No wonder it’s called EU+ROPE+
July 6th, 2006 at 5:33 am
If we let small things like this pass by, they will slowly grow to bigger proportions. What could be a Small comment could baloon to a huge crisis. If you and your race have been opressed for years, gain your freedom, then see something that reminds you of the past opression, You have every right of acting up. The only way you can truly understand is if you have actually been subjeect to the oppression.
July 6th, 2006 at 6:15 am
I just think its funny that, as many people have mentioned, we have this weird double standard regarding racism. I cant believe for one second that if the black woman had been holding the white woman, this would have been regarded as racist (except maybe by the KKK, which is ironic) How about if an Indian person had been holding a black person, or a Japanese person holding a mexican, would anybody have though twice about it. I don’t think so. People seem to have the idea that the only people who are racist are white people and that “racism” only refers to a white person being prejudice against a person of another race. Besides, we are all supposed to be looking at two PSPs, not people.
damn that racist white PSP!!!
July 6th, 2006 at 6:27 am
Think about this for one minute.
What kind of world would we be living in if everybody, and I mean everybody, in the world were to look at that ad, and not care.
What kind of world would we be living in if everybody just looked at it didn’t give it any more thought than a McDonalds sign.
Would we all be worse off because there wasn’t anybody to get angry about how racist it was?
Or would we be better off because the indifference of the masses meant a more enlightened state than we currently live in.
Please. Just think about that for one bloody minute.
July 6th, 2006 at 6:33 am
It’s
a
F’n
Ad…
Now stop reading into it so damn much. Seriously. Stop. No. Really. Stop.
July 6th, 2006 at 6:38 am
This is not a racist ad, at all. I feel that anyone offended by this is either a moron, overreacting because they have nothing better to do with their time and/or has no sense of or appreciation for art and imagery.
July 6th, 2006 at 6:43 am
“If we let small things like this pass by, they will slowly grow to bigger proportions. What could be a Small comment could baloon to a huge crisis. If you and your race have been opressed for years, gain your freedom, then see something that reminds you of the past opression, You have every right of acting up. The only way you can truly understand is if you have actually been subjeect to the oppression.”
Every race on earth has been subject to oppression, not only black people. And if this ad of two different colors psps reminds you of your ancestors being slaightered or murdered, raped, exploited, etc. then you have no sense of what they actually went through, at all…so get over yourself and stop looking for a reason to play the racism card.
July 6th, 2006 at 7:00 am
Yeah the PSP and PS2 are both black colored systems but if they made ads saying “PSP, BLACK POWER FOO’S” with a black man w/ his foot on a cracka’s neck there would have been an outrage too..
July 6th, 2006 at 7:17 am
Well, I have 3 points to make.
1. Racist or not, that is a damn ugly ad. Unattractive.
2. It is totally racist, but not for the sake of being racist – just for the sake of shock value.
3. What bothers me is not “white holding black”. It’s the sheer hatred from the white girl’s eyes, and the helplessness and resignment in the black girl’s eyes. Looking at the ad A) Actually makes me want the less-antagonistic black PSP, and B) Invokes some horror deep within me that wants me to boycott PSPs altogether.
Regardless, should anyone be personally offended by the ad? No. It’s harmless. But Sony will definitely pay a price in dropped PSP sales.
And also, DS > PSP, so who cares?
July 6th, 2006 at 7:34 am
Honestly, the only thing that keeps racism alive are the people who perceive it as such. The very people who struggle to defeat it are the very people who perpetuate it.
The only power a racist person has is given to them by the victim. A victim of racism puts the offender on a pedestal. Who cares what they think? You know that they are no better than you, so why are you offended? Does it matter?
If you want to talk about a problem, talk about that fact that America runs itself completely on the basis of poverty. Without poverty there would be no one to do the jobs rich people hate. Without poverty, who would fight their wars?
July 6th, 2006 at 7:55 am
Well from what I have read so far from these comments. It seems that only blacks are mad at this ad and all that wrote these comments are black. I understand why the black community would be mad, but come on think of it this way. If the chick in white was back and the chcik in black was white, than would it be ok?
July 6th, 2006 at 8:19 am
While I usually think people get ridiculously up in arms when it comes to the whole “race issue”, I have to admit that ad is pretty freaking rascist. That rascism is neither imagined nor implied, it is blatantly obvious.
They do this stuff on purpose, people. It’s just an attempt at causing controversy (which I am inadvertently helping) so more people will notice their product. Sony has no class, just ignore them.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:10 am
Might as well make white people feel important before they all disappear in 20 years!
July 6th, 2006 at 10:48 am
The fact that many people ARE getting upset about this testifies to the fact that it was done in poor taste.
If you don’t find anything particularly offensive about the picture, then that’s fine, but when you go as far as to ignore those who do feel threatened by it and attempt to justify it, then that’s just insensitive and ignorant.
Personally, I don’t feel Sony intended to promote racism in any way, but when things like this happen, they should take full responsibility for it.
“If the chick in white was back and the chcik in black was white, than would it be ok?”
No. What angers me about the common response here is that a lot of you think that just because society commonly accepts racism towards white people, then it’s ok that it goes both ways. That’s no way to deal with it and I’m appalled by everyone trying to justify someone else’s negative reaction towards the ad.
“I just think its funny that, as many people have mentioned, we have this weird double standard regarding racism. I cant believe for one second that if the black woman had been holding the white woman, this would have been regarded as racist”
That’s something that needs to change then, doesn’t it?
July 6th, 2006 at 11:21 am
OMG you people have to be kidding me. Can someone clearly show me what is racist about this. Of course you can’t. It’s not like a white psp is hanging a black one. Now I admit that would be funny also, and would make me buy another PSP, but come on here people, are you that retarded. It seems everything today has to be racist. Oh no they made a white potato chip…..them racist bastards. Hey you’re wearing white shoes you must be a racist. Yeah think next time before you people actually open your mouths. Black people are the most racist people I have ever met.
July 6th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
IF you are not black then you will never know someone is being rasist untill the last moment.
There are little elements which can never be noticed unless you have had experience with them.
I for example can smell racist intentions in a crowd, way before any of my caucasian friends can even hope to do.
Its not a matter of someones perception or skills been more honed, but simple due to the fact that we blacks deal with it and you don’t, so you do not have the need to be aggitated, because you do not have the need to be concerned as it does not affect you or have anything to do with you.
I am far from the person who will come on here ranting about this, but as a professional working in advetising and marketing i can simply say that the advert is rasist.
The aggression that has been exhibited by the caucasian model and that has been directed towards the african is offensive.
It is not just a display of general aggression, but the physical manerism and action that has been implied in this case is one used to signify extreme superiority over an opponent.
To clarify, notice the action that was used by the caucasian model to grasp the african model’s face.
If you have ever performed that action to someone you will know how it is executed; swiftly, aggressive, with hate and with a sharp jerk.
Just because you are viewing a picture, it doesn’t mean your mind wount utilize the image data and cues provided to produce a sequence.
When you see a bee on a picture, you will think buzz and you may even fear it in your head.
An advertising image, is a trigger. One that invites you to personally visualise the intent of the production.
In this case, looking at this picture i can only see a racial aggression in show.
Imagine that this Photograph was indeed a moving picture.
Now imagine in moving form the aggression that was exhibited when grasping that model by the face.
What do you think the next action would be, once you’ve grabbed that persons face ? A slap, a punch, a spit in their face.
Those of you who feel it is not rasist, simply do not have a reason to do so and thats perfectly fine, in fact i am certain that the artist behind the photograph is caucasian himself, no african artist could have produced that.
The people who decide it is rasist are those who are the subjects of mass rasicm, so it is rather pointless being of another origin non-african and coming here to oppose and conforn the thoughts and feelings of those who have complaints about this Photography.
Its simple, its just racist and there is nothing more complicated to it.
Its a feeling you get when you see something of the sort being black, its not moral.
You see it and it hits you emotionally. There is nothing to think about ot philisophize about. That is why caucasian people do not understand or notice it the way africans do, because they have no reason to be emotionally effected by such imagery.
Thats all.
July 6th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
I am a white man so I’m ok with this ad. You PC guys who see racism everywhere blah blah blah. Those of you who would rather sweep this important issue under the carpet yak yak words words.
Keep up the good work, fellas; the world is dangerously short on opinions.
July 6th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
you people are sad – how do u get offended by such an ad. That is what is wrong with the world today. I didnt hear of any white folk getting upset when the black psp was launched. Sony are just advertising – a grey psp would look rubbish
July 6th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
if you people notice at all this has nothing to do with racism it clearly is just showing the new white psp to be better then black. the real racism here is the xbox and nintendo fanboys sittin around sayin amagad black ppl be mad and dont like sony anymore. and the black ppl who think this is racist are idiots. did u happen to notice all the idiots post like 1 or 2 lines saying how its racist but the smart ppl go into a indepth anaylsis of why it is not racist at all just merely showing off their product. what if a white person came on here and said I THINK ITS RACIST THEY DONT COME OUT WITH WHITE PRODUCTS SAME TIME AS BLACK ALL CONSOLES COME OUT IN BLACK BEFORE WHITE THAT RACIST. everybody in here would call him a retard and say the color of the console doesnt matter much at all. but u guys r getting mad over a add that depicts a white psp being better then black. i seen like 3 black people post how sad they are gonna be bout this add and clearly u r the idiot black people who make the rest of us look bad.
i am black and any educated black man can see this is merely to display superiority over the black psp which came out first. in other words they are tryin to get u to buyin a psp they painted another color and usually its u idiots posting racism who go buy both colors.
July 6th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
also to e lang u clearly do not know much lol this is a add for a white psp which comes out after the mass sales of the black psp. to go look at the ku klux klan sign up ads ur on the wrong page. remember what product they are trying to sell here people no they dont want u to buy white crosses to burn ppl with. THEY ARE SELLING A FREAKIN PSP WHICH ORIGANALLY WAS BLACK. i could just see it now. if a white psp came out first and then they were announcing a black psp. their would be so much controversy black ppl would be sayin they should have came out with black psp first and whites would be like u have a pic showing a black superiority over white no fair rawr rawr rawr racism.
do u guys see what ur saying lol this is completely stupid. this isnt a add to join klu klux klan its for a psp seriously ppl.
July 6th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
i cant believe all of you r gettin offended by this i thought we were over this whole black and white thing…
July 6th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
to quote E.Lang: “no african artist could do this”
since when are all black people from africa?
July 6th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Holy crap, how is this racist again? It’s not the smartest ad I’ve seen, but recist? I guess the DS’s “Touching is Good” motto then supports masturbation and molestation (i.e. Resident Evil: DS). I mean they’re models, nobody understands them anyway. Sony I guess thought “Hey, Nintendo made a stupid ad and is selling DS’s hand over foot, maybe it’ll work for us!!”. Chill people, the ad is a little stupid, racist it is not.
July 6th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
It’s amusing how Caucasians want to decry anything that offensive to those that are not of European decent, and make stupid comments like, ” I though we were over this black and white thing.” Considering that for most the idea of being “over it,” involves ignoring it, no no one is over it. Unfortunately yes racism is in the eye of the beholder, but the ad would be seen as offensive to some; and it shows the diasppointing level of dissociation in society that people have an “it doesn’t bother me so if you’re offended you’re dumb” attitude.
I’m not going to lose sleep over an ad, but a company with a global reach like Sony should be more responsible about it’s marketing campaigns.
July 6th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
I guess it’s racist since the white woman is potrayled as a model and the black woman doesn’t look particularly attractive. If they were, both models it would make more sense, since black and white psps have the same functions, and I wouldn’t see it as a racist ad. But since the ad doesn’t show equal beauty it’s considered racist.
July 6th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Let’s look at the abstracts for a second, here.
The white girl represents the white PSP. The black girl represents the black PSP. Outside of the ad, both models are equal, and perhaps friends. Inside the ad, they don’t represent themselves; they represent electronics.
Now. When the white girl is holding the black girl aggressively, it means that the new white PSP will be an emerging, aggressive power in the PSP world.
All of you racists, black and white alike, can’t see the abstraction. Go back to your brotha’ gangs and KKK, kaythanks.
July 6th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
I just learned that sony had 2 other ads that are connected.
view here: http://www.armchairempire.com/News/?p=33
When you see all ads together, it seems less racist, but it also brings more questions like, who started the dispute? And why did the other retaliate? One thing I’m sure of is that my black psp is not less superior to the white psp.
July 6th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
All these people who are skeptical about this ad not being racist why don’t you think for a moment.
Why did Sony choose a black man and a white man? And it clearly shows that the white woman is “superior” by the way she is holding the guy’s face. If it’s not offensive, why don’t they show it in the UK? Maybe it’s because black people have a bigger voice here. Damn you Sony.
July 6th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Have to agree with the many comments here. This image is far from being racist, in which the message is white is better than black. It seems Sony’s intention is clear – white PS2 is out to usurp the black PS2’s position, and not that white person is better than/is attacking black person. You’d have to already come in with a previous mindset to read more into this.
But this image is definately controversial. In a perfect world, there would be no racial inequalities, and everyone is so indistinguishable from the next in terms of power dynamic that no one would even think to interpret such an image as racist. However, there is a lot of bad history to recall and present-day unresolved issues we deal with. And as such, an image like that is bound to hit a few nerves. What shocks me is that Sony was dumb enough to actually think this ad would fly.
(Yes, I agree that my argument should have nothing to do with my being black, but unfortunately, things don’t work that way either quite yet)
July 6th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Another issue with this ad is that not everyone who sees this ad will understand the product message. Believe it or not there are people out there who don’t know what the heck a PSP is. If you read the ads overt conotations it comes off as seeming racist. Though Sony may not have intended it to be racist. The message is what it is! Those who say that people are being to sensitive to this ad should really consider their own feelings on racism! I’ve noticed that many people who make this comment are in fact hiding behind their own racist beliefs. I hear this all of the time about minority groups. “Why should they get special treatment?” It’s not that they are getting special treatment, it’s just that the group in the majority usually overshadows all other points of view. It’s hard to overcome that.
July 6th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
I find this ad to be offensive. There are a MILLION different visual connotations that could have been used that would have garnered the same effect or shock value THAT DON’T HAVE TO DO WITH NIGG@Z AND H0NKY’S(sorry, white and black folk)
seriously, there is enough tension in the world as it is dealing with that particular issue, so now some, as it was described before”starbucks moccachino-slurping, manhattan ad exec” fresh out of his bi-daily 30 minute lunchtime rendezvous with his favorite hooker and coke buddy all of a sudden has the *original idea* of using a racially tense theme to sell his account. And then, quicker than a junky with $100 goes to fix you have some weird, insulting billboard depicting a white woman and a black woman at odds physically with a Sony PSP logo splattered across every major thoroughfare…My problem is with the way this thing is being sold and who is selling it. The Ad house is racist, Sony is racist, and any institution(Sony and locality) that allows this ad to be placed in public places is by all means fundamentally racist.
When 50 cent put up his little ad I found it offensive, why? Because he advocates gun violence, an issue that plagues inner city communities to sell his little movie. To me that’s like saying your own race should kill itself off in the name of drugs, violence, sex, urban culture, and OMFG paying to go see his shill of a f**kin movie. Of course the white exec(s) for whatever distribution he has OK’ed to…
And for the record, I ain’t a christian or nothing and I AM WHITE.
peace
July 6th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
LOVE IT! MORE PLEASE! Sick of seeing White people as the butt of jokes and insults from coloreds. Time to share. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it. You’re not their market anyway.
July 6th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Vin Says:
July 6th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
LOVE IT! MORE PLEASE! Sick of seeing White people as the butt of jokes and insults from coloreds. Time to share. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it. You’re not their market anyway.
Funny thing white people sell that to…have you ever seen “Summer of Sam”?
In fact, if there were no black people or “coloreds” as you describe; white people would STILL find a way to be racist towards each other…in fact history has declared this to be the truth time and time again.
July 6th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
This ad is so bloody racist. Whoever made it should be shot (or something along that line).
Sony, I thought you at least had some integrity. Today you proved me wrong.
July 6th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
I can not believe the whips here. Show a racist black man looking savagely at a cowering white girl and it would be erotic art, or something of the sort. The only racists I have ever personally met have been blacks in Detroit and L.A. Whites have been waaaaay to nice to other cultures, to the point of being suckaz.
July 6th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
This is the 21st century. When are people going to learn better?
I’m not talking about the ad. I’m talking about the psychosis the is so pervasive in our culture.
Why must people be so paranoid about the color of skin. Aren’t we beyond that?
It’s just an ad. Two models happen to have skin tones that match the color of Sony’s product. Big deal.
Grow up America.
July 6th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
There is a reason this ad is being selectively advertised in the Netherlands and not in the UK or the US. Sony is fully aware of the insult this image projects to the those of African descent in both respective countries, and realizes the porportion of Africans or African Americans in UK and the US far outnumbers the numbers of those in the Netherlands.
The whole playstation color issue is immaterial, they are both machines, which ultimately will be judged by their performance, not their hue, ironically, which is what humans should be judged by as well.
When should a machine be judged by only its hue?This superficial charateristic is the same criteria upon which humans have been murdered, slaughtered, and enslaved for centuries. Once the novelty of a different color machine wears off, then people will begin to compare what really matters; its performance relative to its predecessor.
Imagine if this sceme was applied to buying cars, would you compare different models of a car based on their color? Of course not. You would first compare value and worth, and only then would color matter, once you have settled on a model.
For those who have not had any experience with racism, or ever had to question the actions of another that stem from prejudiced preconceptions, can we really expect a sincere understanding of how these images only personify the idea that it is ok to treat others worse than animals; merely because of a false idea of racial superiority?
No, because the idea is wholly foreign to them. To be judged merely by skin color, which is immediately recognizable, unlike sexual orientation, is a reality that some never really have to consider in a lifetime. Conversely, others must battle with this misconception daily, and for good reason, considering their great grandparents endured a lifetime of torture, as a result of these beliefs.
This being said, when one deals with an image such as this with sentiments such as, ‘Get over it’…’move on’, we must remember that their point of reference is of one of minimal exposure, and we must regard their statements with the same degree of seriousness.
Irrespective of race or culture, we can all agree that when one person grabs another by the face in such a manner, with a menacing glare and is returned by a look of submission, this is clearly a act of establishing complete control and dominance. This situation is not influenced by ideas of right vs. wrong, this is a situation where power is the only language understood. Additionally, look at the hand of the white woman, this is clearly a hand excited by adrenaline, and as E. Lang articulated well, this image is one that is made to implant ideas which will then play out in one’s mind (i.e. a logical sequence of the white woman enacting some form of abuse)
If this same scenario were to be enacted by using two colors of the same hue, then not much attention would be paid to the ad. However, when a white individual grabs a black invidual, this image becomes pregnant with all of the underlying tensions and sordid history that was experienced in the white vs. black history of colonialization and slavery.
This reality is one that is immediately recognized by those forced into submission ( Africans etc..) because of fears of this mentality being passively accepted, and its dangerous precedent of slavery being ignored. Some non-Africans easily dismiss this image because truthfully, they have never had any reason to fear or be apprehensive of such an image, because they will reap no harmful repercussions if this images reaches heightened states of excitement and appears on the evening news rather than a billboard.
This being said one can easily realize that this image deals minimally with one version of playstation vs. another, and much more urgently with the idea of racial superiority masked by gaming consoles.
Also, read the article by E. Lang… (above) worth your time.
July 6th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Woah, you people always find something to whine about… Sony had to advertise their new Handheld console, and they thought: ” The best way to sell it, is to show everyone that we hate black people, yeah!” – Black people, stop victimizing yourself. It’s an advertisement. There is a new WHITE PSP coming out, the old one is black.
Let’s face it, if we would turn things around. Black woman holding a white woman etc. etc. – No one would care.
July 6th, 2006 at 8:57 pm
‘you people’ – interesting…
Victimizing- aka….let’s forget that racism still exists today, and pretend that it doesn’t exist. That this billboard is an anomaly. Racism is dead.
Now here’s a thought…would people be so passive if it was a black man holding a white woman ???? *Remember* It’s an advertisement…focus on the playstation, right?
July 6th, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Peapole like YOU make this world racist. OMG a black man dressed in black abused by a white woman dressed in white! Where’s the racism in that!? Evil see evil everywhere, remember.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
I’m white and it’s the people that find this ad offensive that make this world the way it is. I;d like to do that to a black person.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
I agree with MK the people who see this as racists are the ones who are racists. And for the record if it was a black man holding a white woman down no one probably would even accusse that as racism. so stop acting like this is such a big deal and grow up.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:34 pm
Matt Stone wrote:
“Clearly this doesn’t appeal to anyone else than Starbucks Moccachino-drinking buzzword-throwing Manhattan marketers.”
Um, these ads were created by the European offices of TBWA (who are, incidentally, based in CA), and are only running in European cities… but thanks for taking a cheap shot at New York, we can take it.
TommyFilth1 wrote:
“So Sony is running a racist ad. What a surprise, it’s run by rich old white men.”
Um, no. Sony is run by rich old Japanese men.
Get your rich old men straight.
audionewstalk wrote:
“The problem is not that there is a white and a black person on this ad. the problem is that the white person hold the black person face and look agressive.”
Ah, now we get to the real issue…
…and how would your attitude change if the next shot was a Madonna / Britney Spears moment?
Oh wait, here’s the next shot now:
http://www.armchairempire.com/images/News/white-psp-europe-2.jpg
Gary wrote:
“I found it to be stupid and don’t see how it helps promote the psp.”
Um, how many people are here are discussing it, and many more reading it, and how many news outlets around the world are linking to this page driving people (like me) here? I’ve never heard of the site “Digital Battle” before, but I’d be interested to know whether this page doesn’t turn out to be the most highly trafficked in the history of this website… just my guess. And you ask “how it helps promote the psp.” Are you for real?
I wasn’t so sure about the ad at first, but I’m beginning to think it is genius.
Mee wrote:
“Would we all be worse off because there wasn’t anybody to get angry about how racist it was?”
I don’t know about better or worse, but the real important point here is, Sony wouldn’t be getting all this free publicity, and would sell fewer white PSPs. It’s to Sony’s advantage that the image be controversial, create this sort of debate, which generates buzz, and more word of mouth for their product than money can buy.
Owner wrote:
“…a black man w/ his foot on a cracka’s neck…”
Vin wrote:
“You’re not their market anyway.”
FA wrote:
“Might as well make white people feel important before they all disappear in 20 years!”
Now the real racist rear their ugly heads… and I thought we were all family here!
July 6th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
Understand one thing, they are selling game consoles and then ask yourself; how does the color of a game console become the color of people? How does the color of a game console make it superior to a game console of a different color that does the exact same thing?
When Apple started marketing its Black Ipod there was no marketing it as superior to the White Ipod because they both did the same thing, so why is the white PSP being marketed as being superior to the Black one and why use a Blond haired white woman grabbing the facing of a Black woman with a Afro? Also notice the white woman is taller and bigger than the Black woman and looking down on her. This ad is espousing white supremacy even though we know white skin and white consoles are not superior to anything.
The irony in the ad is that we know that the White PSP will do the exact same thing as the Black PSP, making it its equal just as we know white folk are not capable of doing anything Black men and women can’t do, but this does not stop them from believing they are superior and it damn sure will not stop them from marketing a white game console as superior to the Black game console. This is white supremacy at its best! Creating a white sense of superiority where none exist.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
The sad part about this is,
If it were a black chick, standing over a white guy like that, everyone would be fine with it.
You people need to learn
Racism: racial prejudice or discrimination
THIS MEANS TO ANYONE
Don’t think just because you’re black you’re allowed to do shit to everyone else, but they can’t call you a nigger.
Fuck that.
And It’s not like I discriminate, I hate anyone who gets up and arms about racism.
“Oh, your just sayin that Cus’ I’m black.” or “Oh, I’m mexican, so I must be someones gardener.”
Bullshit.
If you don’t like the fucking racist stereotypes the world has twords you and people of your color, fucking do something.
Rather than complain, go break the fucking mold.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
Some of you are right. Racism is still around.
But do you know why racism wont go away? Because those “victimimized minorities” wont let it. Period. It keeps them in the victim class, and they like it that way.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
To the last 11 posters…except Randall and #1 may still apply to him(it does to me).
1) None of you are black
2) Putting it in a country where the least resistance will be met
is still racist
3) Racism is very real and is not dead, just swept under the rug
by those who practice and want to be left alone to keep being
racist
4) I find it offensive that others must be called racist because
they can see the stereotype that this ad applies by those that
don’t even have the conviction to accept their racism and
deal with it accordingly in a way where they stop being racist
5) innuendos about black guy/ white chick is fundamentally
flawed(ONLY black guys hold down white women?!!)although
the other way around…(fapfapfap)
6) I have a lot black friends that are smart enough to see the
racist nature of this ad, and laugh at it due to the fact its
purely 1 dimensional in nature and proves everything we
already knew(stupid honky’s)
7) Did I mention that I am white?
July 6th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
This is crap……whenever a black person is in this situation, they always scream racism…always, its the first thing they jump to. Its a damn ad for a PSP…theres a white one and a black one….the white PSP isn’t racist towards the black PSP…..give me a break
July 6th, 2006 at 10:21 pm
but who’s really gonna do something about it…??
July 6th, 2006 at 10:22 pm
I find this poor excuse for a debate very amusing. It truly is a bleak statement on the current state of humanity, that you’re even arguing about this. The ad is racist, there’s no doubt about it. But guess what? I don’t give a rat’s tail. Both Sony and everyone responding to their ad are fools in my estimation. If this was about how Sony is using shock tactics to market a product that is getting its rear kicked by the Nintendo DS (emphasis on the 2nd half), however, I’d be much more interested.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
I think that if the black wouldt have been such an episode to slavery in the old days… by that i mean if they wouldnt have been exploited so much this ad would be funny. Why cant we just all accept who we are and live together. If it would be the opposite id still find that ad funny. I was just amazed how they dared show this to the world of hipocrites we have. We are all alike. No one is better or worse… actually we are all different. So this ad is different to everyone. I dont see a single difference between her and that guy excet that they are opposite sex and that they have a different skin color. Anyways… think people think…
July 6th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
Get a grip people. I mean, “I’m outraged by this”, seriously… get a life. It’s an ad campaign highlighting the differences in color between GAME MACHINES not people. If you are this overly sensitive then you deserve to be offended on a daily basis…actually, you probably are.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:35 pm
I agree with what Nick says… its in a small sentence my whole post.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
Wow…just…Wow…OMFG….Wow…
Keep being as sensitive as you are (and this means EVERYONE) and this world will continue to go to crap. Keep restricting anything that stirs controversy or emotions, and this world will continue to go to crap. Keep banning everything 2 people see as “offensive” and don’t educate anyone about it, and this world will continue to go to crap.
Here’s an idea. Ban that one book about racism, rape, murder, genocide…What was that book called again? Oh yeah…THE BIBLE!
You can all take pleasure in guessing what my race is….
“I’ll never tell…..”
July 6th, 2006 at 10:46 pm
Its a rasist ad not because of the white wowmans stance against the african american. Its racist because they are using someones skin color to represent a damn video game. And its not even correct anyway, People of african decent are BROWN, not Black. The are freakin racist euro trash assholeswho are trying to appeal to other racist consumers, by making a racist joke. Too bad the ad is not witty, its not funny, unless youre a racist twit. If they simply Want to promote the difference in colors of the systems, get two white models and put one in a white t-shirt, and one in a black t-shirt.
At least then the color would be accurate to the color of the PSP Brown does not equal black. Next the ignorant wretches at Sony will try to use an Asian model to promote a YELLOW PSP. Ignorant scum like that shouldn’t be allowed to procreate.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
I agree with ReaperXxxx. Some people need to lighten up a bit. It is an ad depicting a battle between the two color options. If you think this ad is racist, it is because you are making it racist.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
This ad is agit-prop, pure and simple.
It is offensive to blacks on the face of it.
It is offensive to whites, the majority of whom have never done a racist thing in their lives but are constantly being labeled as default racists.
I, for one, refuse to be angered by such manipulations.
I will simply make my feelings known by not opening my wallet at appropriate times.
If more people do the same agit-prop ad agencies like the one responsible for this will have very few clients.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:09 pm
The last 10 or so posts have dealt with this issue, if you are going to continue to post the same thing about ‘get over it’ ‘you are too sensitive’…at least point out why…most ppl of caucasian decent have to deal with racism sparingly…so of course they would chant..’get over it’…both scenarios pose no threat to them…a colorblind society..and one replete with racism.
“For those who have not had any experience with racism, or ever had to question the actions of another that stem from prejudiced preconceptions, can we really expect a sincere understanding of how these images only personify the idea that it is ok to treat others worse than animals; merely because of a false idea of racial superiority?
No, because the idea is wholly foreign to them. To be judged merely by skin color, which is immediately recognizable, unlike sexual orientation, is a reality that some never really have to consider in a lifetime. Conversely, others must battle with this misconception daily, and for good reason, considering their great grandparents endured a lifetime of torture, as a result of these beliefs.
This being said, when one deals with an image such as this with sentiments such as, ‘Get over it’…’move on’, we must remember that their point of reference is of one of minimal exposure, and we must regard their statements with the same degree of seriousness.”
July 6th, 2006 at 11:15 pm
Oh Geez, they got a White PSP coming out now?? I spray painted my Black PSP to a Brownish Tan color becuase i’m Indian.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
OMG. E. Lang and OnceAgain are clearly the same person. The long winded speech. The educated analysis and rhetorical style all speaks to identity theft or cloning. haHA!
OnceAgain: “…this is clearly a hand excited by adrenaline, and a E. Lang articulated well, this image is one that is made to implant ideas which will then play out in one’s mind”
lol
OnceAgain: “Also, read the article by E. Lang… (above) worth your type.”
wow… what a hypeman for himself.lol
that being said, the ad may not be the product of racist mindsets but it does present an image that can be viewed as “racially insensitive.” While the marketers/artist may not have been trying to promote white supremacy or anti-black notions with the ad, the fact that these types of sentiments would result should have been quite obvious. For this reason, they should have known better than to run this ad.
And to all the people who have said: “what if a black lady was dominating a white lady. Would it be okay then?”
That is an ignorant question to ask. Implying that people should have the same reaction over a black person dominating a white person ignores the history of racial injustice in the United States, Africa and elsewhere. Historically, blacks have never been oppressors of whites on such a large scale. So such an image would not bring up any kind of connection because there is not that history to connect to. White people would not be overly angered because it would not bring back images of slavery, segregation, and oppression. Black people probably would probably be indifferent just like many white people are to this Ad.
Let’s not be stupid, people. Just because you would not be angry about an ad with a black lady dominating a white lady does not mean that this ad is not offensive to people who have some sort of knowledge of the history of their ancestors.
Everybody keeps saying “I thought we were past that.”
That’s why we should not bring back terrifying memories with images that even suggest such a historically poignant power structure of white-black relations.
so yeah
July 6th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
What ever! You people think an add with 2 dogs humping each other would be racist. Get a life.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
Anyone who sees “racism” in this ad is just showing how small and narrow their mindset is. This is like hearing messages in playing and old vinyl LP backwards. You hear what you want to hear and see what you want to see.
The opposition and conflict between of black and white has been used by man since the dark ages with knights. Hollywood used for cowboy heros and villians. Nobody screamed “racist” back when all the bad gunslingers in westerns were dressed in black. Was that a hidden comment that all black are thungs, killers and outlaws. No. It just meant to represnt purity and darkness.
This ad is using a similar theme but using two women who’s skin color matches their clothing. If it was the reverse who everyone be so quick to label it racist? I think not.
This is once again just priving that no matter how many upward strides we think non-whites make in this world, there are too many, small minded people who still see things in terms of “black vs. white” – “Caucasian vs. Negro”. It’s just stupid. I see this ad as more lesbian overtones in its approach than anything race related.
I mean, does anyone actually think someone at Sony suggested an overtly racist campaign? Again, I think not. Just see it for what it is. And ad campaign for the new white PSP.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:46 pm
Anyone who sees “racism” in this ad is just showing how small and narrow their mindset is. This is like hearing messages in playing old vinyl LP’s backwards. You hear what you want to hear and see what you want to see.
The conflict between of black and white has been used by man since the dark ages with Knights. Hollywood used for it cowboy heroes and villians. Nobody screamed “racist” back when all the bad gunslingers in westerns were dressed in black. Was that a hidden comment that all black are thungs, killers and outlaws? No. It just meant to represent purity and darkness.
This ad is using a similar theme but using two women. If it was the reverse would everyone be so quick to cry “racist”? I think not.
This is once again just proving that no matter how many upward strides we think non-whites make in this world, there are too many, small minded people who still see things in terms of “blacks vs. whites” – “Caucasians vs. Negros”. It’s just stupid.
I see this ad as having more lesbian overtones in its approach than anything race related.
I mean, does anyone actually think someone at Sony suggested having an overtly racist campaign? Again, I think not. Just see it for what it is. And ad campaign for the new white PSP.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
I understand the people who are saying, ” Get a grip!” or ” Grow up, its just a bloody ad!” , or “grow up you sensitive Americans!”, or Stop whining, it’s just an ad!”.
It’s not JUST an ad. No one is “whining”. You have to ask why would a big powerful, rich company like Sony want to use such a potentially offense ad to sell such a “supposedly” superior product? Make you hummmmmm…..
Ferrari does not have to do THIS to sell cars? Prada does not have to “play the race card” to sell clothes. Yeah, yeah you say, “they do it to make money”.
Well, they don’t HAVE to be “offensive” to make money. Damnit, be INNOVATIVE!
Google doesn’t do this “crap” and they make “much money” (Yeah, I’m using Ebonics!). I don’t see offensive iPod ads. The iPod i$ doing just fine.
Sony IS wrong and anyone who thinks that this ad campaign is “not a big issue” has probably never been called a “racial slur” or had their life impacted in a negative way because of their race. It’s very easy to “shrug this off” as nothing when it does not affect you. This advert is extremely negative to anyone who looks like the lady who’s neck is being grabbed while the white Amazon stands over her “Ali “style. Granted she IS a sexy Amazon BUT not sexy enough to be “grabbing on somebody’s neck. Yikes!!!
Have you EVER had anyone grab your neck like that? Would you WANT someone to grab YOUR neck like that AND stare you down with THAT expression? No. No one would want that.
If this ad were in reverse I would be JUST as mad because it would be hurtful to a white person. I would not want black children to get that “mental picture” in their impressionable minds.
Kids are sponges and something like this a WILL totally erase the GOOD things a parent would teach a child about race and equality, not to mention male female issues! All you parents know that this it true. The other aspect of this that is VERY scary to me is the fact that little kids LOVE video games and will see this ad and WILL in some small way “buy into” this sad and dangerous imagery.
All you Europeans seem to have forgotten the “NAZI” menace that damn near wreaked your continent! Hello, WWII was not your finest moment! All of “ya’ll” (Yeah, I’m using Ebonics!) showed your asses in WWII! We American’s have NOT forgotten, hell we’re STILL paying for the Marshall Plan!
The Germans had this same “Sony” mentality. The rest of Europe, sans the Brits “did nothing – Nazi racism is not a be deal, besides, those silly Jews just need to “suck it up”…” and look at what happened. Sad.
You HAVE to jump on the “little” stuff like this Sony advert EARLY and STAMP it out. Especially in Europe, because you Euros have a nasty habit of “going straight gangsta” on innocent people. Yes I said it! What!?! It’s the truth.
I’m an American from Indiana. I’m Black. My Great-Grandmother was a full-blooded Sioux Indian. I’m not just “dissing” Europe, American has bloody hands when it come to “grabbing other peoples necks”, ask any Native American – IF you can find any!. We do tend to “stick our noses in other business” – Iraq anyone! That said, you have to call out things like this Sony ad.
You just have to be real and not “sweep things under the rug”. This Sony ad is BAD. It’s BAD business and any consumer with half a brain and a whole heart should not condone or support any company that would “toy” with these “hot button” issues to sell a “plastic toy”.
And “people” wonder why the “Osama’s” of the world hate the west!!!
Dirty Damn shame!
July 6th, 2006 at 11:52 pm
Might I point out two small things here?
1.) The ad never says anything about the White version of the product being better, or any improvement over the Black version. For those who keep repeatedly making that point, I suggest you consider what racial bagage of your own your bringing to the table here. The entire ad copy reads:
Playstation Portable
White is coming
It says nothing about the white version being better or superior to the black version.
Secondly, it is shown out of context of the rest of the campaign.
1.) In one ad, the white girl is grabbing the black girls face (shown here)
2.) In the next ad, the black girl has the white girl pinned down on the floor as if she’s kicking the white girls ass. It is at once both more violent, and yet more girl-on-girl erotic charged than the first
3.) In the third, the are both faced off in a martial arts stance towards one another
Of course, it could be suggested that the writer of this original post had their own racially charged motive for only showing one of the three ads out of context of the others.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:56 pm
no, E. Lang is definitely a different person, I’m out of the US…and the style is clearly different, he or she is a lot more concise…and really dude or dudette, why hype up yourself for no one? I gain no benefit from that, no one knows who I am, I think he wrote great points…elucidated them well, I really can’t see the purpose in giving yourself a pat on the back in cyberspace…
but aside from that…you made a good point…just black people would not be offended by the converse, white people could equally regard this image with the same nonchalance..it doesn’t take away from the merit of it being offensive, it just means that some people can’t identify.
July 7th, 2006 at 12:05 am
I forgot this:
“FeelinFunky – Historically, blacks have never been oppressors of whites on such a large scale.”
Wrong. You need to read more:
http://www.africawithin.com/black_history/overview_chapter18.html
http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/moors2.html
The Moors who took over Spain were a bunch of Black guys. Even my “brotha” Shakespeare knew that:
http://www.online-literature.com/shakespeare/othello/
RIF baby, Reading Is Fundamental.
July 7th, 2006 at 12:05 am
I’d also like to point out that, Sony, or more acurately, Sony’s ad agency surely intended to use the racial identity of the women to stir controversy. To say they only meant to use them innocently to represent the colors of their products is foolish. They didn’t say, “Hey let’s use a white woman and a black woman” and then slap their heads and say, “gosh, it all our months of developing this campaign, it never occurred to a single person on our team, any of our vendors and contractors, or anyone on the client side that this might be controversial.” To the contrary, they said, ‘We’ll have two hot-chicks in girl-on-girl erotic fight action, and the racial overtones will drive buzz and controversy, and people on every online blog will serve up mad free publicity debating the issue’… or something like that. They probably didn’t count on sites like this one only showing the white dominating the black version (especially since the black girl dominating the white girl photo is in a much racier pose), and portraying it so one sided… but, you throw things out there into the wild world and sometimes they take on a life of their own.
Also, that previous post should have be 1.), 2.), a.), b.), c.)… but that’s not important…
July 7th, 2006 at 12:12 am
It’s not right when a black, white, red, yellow, brown or red person is “grabbing” someone’s neck.
It’s not good to be a bully or “diss” another group to make money or gain an advantage.
If you don’t “get that” you are immoral.
July 7th, 2006 at 12:15 am
oh geez….racist huh…im as black as it gets but i dont seee this as racist…offensive yeah because of their position but racist naw…besides they 2 hot chickas…lets just oogle the women and roll
July 7th, 2006 at 12:19 am
Fuck Sony and there lame ass marketing ploys.
-J
July 7th, 2006 at 12:19 am
Understand one thing, they are selling game consoles and then ask yourself; how does the color of a game console become the color of people? How does the color of a game console make it superior to a game console of a different color that does the exact same thing?
When Apple started marketing its Black Ipod there was no marketing it as superior to the White Ipod because they both did the same thing, so why is the white PSP being marketed as being superior to the Black one and why use a Blond haired white woman grabbing the facing of a Black woman with a Afro? Also notice the white woman is taller and bigger than the Black woman and looking down on her. This ad is espousing white supremacy even though we know white skin and white consoles are not superior to anything.
The irony in the ad is that we know that the White PSP will do the exact same thing as the Black PSP, making it its equal just as we know white folk are not capable of doing anything Black men and women can’t do, but this does not stop them from believing they are superior and it damn sure will not stop them from marketing a white game console as superior to the Black game console. This is white supremacy at its best! Creating a white sense of superiority where none exist.
July 7th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Keep smokin’ that Ganja WaynBobo. Kill what brains cell you have left. Smoke it up Bra!!!
July 7th, 2006 at 1:08 am
so this is racist to then?
http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/8500/pic3qjpreviewth0xk.jpg
July 7th, 2006 at 2:03 am
I don’t even understand why black people are in this conversation. It’s not like they can even afford a PSP, much less a 2nd one.
Frankly, this is a smart move for Sony. A white PSP would be much harder for a brotha to steal because its color would contrast with his skin so well.
I think all the lame ass (and poorly articulated) cries of racism are from the darkies at Nintendo who are running internet guerilla tactics to put a dent in Sony’s ad offensive.
What’s wrong, Nintendo? Can’t take some fair competition? Well, I’m not surprised. Darkies have never been able to play fair. Being cheats and thieves is in their blood. That’s why the Christians had to come and civilize their asses.
Face it, the White PSP will outsell the black PSP just like everything else White outsells everything else black. You know why? White is, in fact, superior.
July 7th, 2006 at 2:06 am
Bottom line the ad is socially irresponsible. With billions of various perceptions on a very charged issue; Sony should have rejected this ad. This is no different than a slightly modified ad depicting a white man “dominating” a white woman wearing all black. I guarantee that a ton of people who scream that the ad glorifies domestic violence. Moral of the story? If you put something out in the public domain, you have to consider all the angles.
I can see where they were Sony was going with this. I don’t consider it to be racist persay; but I can see how other people could. It’s just stupid.
July 7th, 2006 at 2:13 am
rfjason, you are truly special. But, in the “short bus” kind of way. Leave it up to a true racist such as yourself to attempt to get your distorted views of the world (think Nazi) under the veil of talking about an ad.
Perhaps you need to take a look at yourself sometime in the near future. Maybe then you can cease to be ignorant, and join 2006. Who knows, you might even meet some nice people who can stand to be in the same room as you in the process. Or maybe you could lose your virginity in the process. That is however asking a lot.
July 7th, 2006 at 3:01 am
Who is the white chick? She’s hot!
July 7th, 2006 at 3:23 am
The Oscar for Best Nazi in a Supporting Role goes to……Rfjason!!!!
Congratulations!!!!!!!
July 7th, 2006 at 3:26 am
She’s rfjason mom. *smooches*
July 7th, 2006 at 4:59 am
I dont find this offensive at all, as I know that the women are merely physical reprensentations of the product. being a black white crossbreed may obscure my view a little, but I think the ad is fine, hell it makes me want a psp more. and to tell you the truth 17 posts ago when Kevein said “caucasion vs negros” I was more shocked than when I saw the pics. and I know he didnt mean anything by. considering that in both cases I wasnt really offended. it was more like “wholy crap he said negro, haha” just goes to show ya how narrow-minded people are
July 7th, 2006 at 5:08 am
Advertisement is about selling an IDEA, not a product. So ask yourselves, what idea is trying to be put across, and what symbolism has been choosen to best carry that message..?
July 7th, 2006 at 5:58 am
It was actually black tribes catching and selling other blacks from different tribes who then sold to european wholesalers for shipment to other countries. Not PC but correct.
Why do indians (eastern, not american indians) and mexicans manage to succeed socailly and financially in USA and UK but not blacks. Aren’t the racist whites keeping them down too?????, Indians and Mexicans are POOR when 1st generation arrives but the 2nd generation are socially mobile? Maybe because they stick together and have family values? Black on black violence is far higher than white on black violence.
Could it be that the ANGER and the VICTIM mentaility handicaps the majority of blacks? If a black man succeeds apparently he is and oreo or something.
Quit directing energy to what the WHITE man does and focus on yourselves for once … you may just be happier.
July 7th, 2006 at 6:04 am
Seeing all these people freak out about an ad that properly shows the idea behind the ad is entertaining.
It appears this NON-RACIST ad did its job in getting people to talk.
And of course people are going to single this ad out when there were a total of 3 different ads made to promot the psp.
and I love how the ACLU is suing over it when it was shown in EUROPE and NOT America.
July 7th, 2006 at 6:28 am
Why is the ACLU (AMERICAN Civil Liberties Union) suing Sony over this if the add is being shown in Europe?
And its NOT racist.
Its JUST an add.
Its not trying to promote ‘white power’ in the sense of a superior vs. inferior race.
Suppose Sony had come out with a white console to begin with, and then released this same add…only with the two roles reversed?
Would you cry ‘racism’ then?
Of course not. That’d be silly.
July 7th, 2006 at 6:29 am
Anyone who thinks this is even MILDLY racists has SEVERE mental problems. It’s not “controversial”, It’s the damn PSP in a different color! JUST LIKE IPOD NANOS, JUST LIKE NINTENDO DS’S! Jesus christ people, have we run out of things to bitch about?!
July 7th, 2006 at 6:33 am
There is nothing racist about this ad. Its very creative and artistic. I’m so sick of the racism card. People need to get over themselves seriously.
July 7th, 2006 at 7:00 am
I don’t care whether individual people see the ad as racist or not. I’m sure it all goes back to personal experience. To me, the ad feels racist. Do I think Sony went out of their way to seem, to me, hateful? Hardly. Did the ad still bother me? Sure.
But the thing that hurt me was /not/ the models, or the fact that the white woman was holding the black woman’s face. The thing that bothered me was
“Playstation
Portable
White
is coming.”
“White is coming.” Sounds an awful lot like “the South will raise again.” That, to me, seemed to be done in bad taste. Do I hate Sony for it? Hardly. This was a marketing campaign in the Netherlands, and the Netherlands won’t draw the same conclusions from the phrase “white is coming” that an American audience would.
And on the “I’m not racist, I don’t have a racist bone in my body!” comments? Yeah, lies. Everyone’s racist, ‘kay? I’m racist, and I’m sexist, too, and I know it. I try to avoid being alone in a room with a white male, because I’m scared of them. I tend to get irritated when blonde girls are in my classes, because they’re “ditzy.” I feel more comfortable, and safe, when I’m around people with darker skin tones. Does that make me a bad person? Maybe, you decide, but don’t forget, you’re racist, too.
July 7th, 2006 at 8:03 am
Awesome…keep up all of the idiotic “racism” bullshit, people! I love it!!! You know, with blacks crying “racism” every time a white person looks at them crooked, it’s nothing more than a damn joke anymore when a black person claims that something is racist. I wonder what will happen once every white person comes to their senses and doesn’t give a flying crap about ignorant claims of “racism” anymore. What will blacks do once they completely screw themselves out of that infamous excuse for all of their shortcomings? Uh oh…no more blaming whitey for every bad thing under the sun? Now what…maturity, responsibility, and personal accountability?!? Say it ain’t so!!!
Anyway, I applaud Sony for this ad campaign. I’m already a PSP owner, so now I guess I’ll just have to go out and buy a PSP for everyone I know.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:09 am
First of all, many of you people have spelling errors in your comments. You shouldn’t have dropped out of school. Second of all, for ALL YOU IDIOTS who believe that the ad depicts a BLACK MAN vs a WHITE WOMAN, YOU ARE ALL F*CKING RETARTED! Third of all, SONY is neither a BLACK nor WHITE company. They are clearly doing their jobs VERY well if they can get people to talk about their new WHITE PSP. It’s all about the GREEN (to those of you uneducated people out there, I mean MONEY). I don’t find the ad to be racist AT ALL because it shows no negative message about BLACK or WHITE supremacy. If anything, the ad might give off a vibe to some people about lesbianism (see the 1st & 2nd ad pictures). A personal comment to “rfjason”:YOU DESERVE TO BE SKINNED ALIVE FOR WHAT YOU SAID…The racism card is played out. GO DRINK A BEER AND GET LAID! (that is if you can even find someone (male or female) who is willing to sleep with you(animals don’t count) out of pity). You’re the real racist bastard! To those who are curious, I’m neither BLACK nor WHITE. I’m DOMINICAN (to those of you uneducated people out there, that in other words means SPANISH).
July 7th, 2006 at 10:09 am
Get a life!
You should have been this outraged by pictures from Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo Bay…
July 7th, 2006 at 10:11 am
This ad is in no way racist, and the people claiming it is just have too much free time.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:25 am
It’s insensitive,,, but it also has a nice girl on girl s&m vibe. guess the jury is still out.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:29 am
i think you are reading to much into this. all you people that are upset….get a life. there is nothing racist about the ad, and the only people that are upset are ignorant and cant even afford to buy a psp, so heres a thought get off your ass and get a job~!
July 7th, 2006 at 1:17 pm
Get a grip, people. I notice that most people only cry ‘racism’ when it’s against white. Is the other ad, where the black lady is on top, just as racist?
I don’t expect anyone to answer this, or complain about the other ad.
Lighten up.
July 7th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
Um, it’s an ad that says “WHITE IS COMING” and has a picture of a menacing white girl holding a black person’s face.
If you have any slaves in your family, or anyone who had family killed by the Klan (like I did) or any Native Americans, or Mexicans, or ….. (list could go on and on) it’s a really f*ckin racist ad!!
Anyone can say it isn’t is living in Rose-Colored Glasses Land. Some of you people really need to go back to school.
White people are not all bad, but a lot of em have done some really f*ed up stuff. Please admit that.
What if we substituted the pictures with a Nazi and a Jewish person and put “THE REICH IS COMING”. Would that make it more obviously offensive for you people because you could take your own guilt out of it.
Probably not because you are CLUELESS people with no souls.
July 7th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
I agree… it’s totally racist! I think we should remove ALL the racism from media! I totally think it’s racist how all the white surrounds the black lettering on news papers, too! What about correction fluid? Ever heard of “Black Out”? Hell no! Racist Bastards!
July 7th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
JGM, you are correct, Reading is, in fact, Fundamental.
If you would have “read” my post (*try looking at the part you cut and pasted into your reply*) you might have noticed that I said:
“blacks have never been oppressors of whites ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE”
not that there have never been isolated incidents of blacks oppressing whites: The Spanish Moors or whatever…
.
But to compare the short-term actions of 7,000 Spanish Moors in the year 711 to the 400 years of slavery, Jim Crow, and disenfranchisement (committed by MILLIONS) that constitutes a very recent aspect of this country’s history (blacks just got the right to vote less than 50 years ago) is quite rubbishy
The Moors (a military establishment by the way, conquered a city – something that was not uncommon during that time period- that happened to be composed of whites.) Not racism. Even so, not ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE. sorry.
A Sony PSP with a Spanish Moor (or any other dark skinned person) dominating a white is not as poignant as this ad (how many white people would associate an image of a black woman dominating a white woman with the Spanish Moors? c’mon, man.)
.
No one thinks about the Spanish Moors because it happened over 1200 years ago and has little significance to anyone or anything today (except for people who go to google, type in “blacks oppressing whites” and post the links in their post so that they can sound educated and tell other people that they need to read more
Jgm,
I probably would have not replied to your nonsensical post but I felt like my person was attacked when you said: “you need to read more”
Being a student at a top 5 university and a black male, I felt like my accomplishments were being belittled when you said RIF (Reading is Fundamental), since I read over 600 pages of text every week (for one class)
*toodles v:-)
July 7th, 2006 at 4:16 pm
The comment box on this article is proof that people who play video games aren’t any smarter than people who don’t.
The knee-jerk reaction of most of the comments to the effect of “I’m not racist, and I don’t think this ad is racist, so therefore, YOU ARE RACIST” is pure stupidity. Racism is an ugly reality in America today whose power is maintained primarily through the oppression of ideas. If you don’t care about racism or its effects, you’ve probably never experienced it.
Got privilege?
Imagine viewing these ads without having any idea of what a Playstation Portable/PSP is and seeing the phrase “white is coming” plus the narrative photograph of this white woman attacking a black woman: her facial expression, her posture, and position of her hands. The implied messages: Aggression. Hostility. Domination. Violence.
WTF does any of that have to do with selling a PSP?
A better ad would have just been a large picture of the new white Sony PSP with the release – nothing else needed.
Oh, and for the record… I’m not black or white. Surprise, racism isn’t just a black/white issue…
July 7th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
I am tired of white people in positions of power determining when it is OK for people of African descent to feel oppressed….isn’t that sick? Those of you who are bored with the “race card”, you should really look at the roles you play in your own racist communities, your ignorance is pathetic. I AM bored with being socially and economicly oppressed. Trust me, you’ll never hear about the race card again when you wake up and acknowledge that your power, and county for that matter, is built upon the backs of hundreds of years FREE labor.
July 7th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
“Imagine viewing these ads without having any idea of what a Playstation Portable/PSP is and seeing the phrase “white is coming
July 7th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Good point FeelinFunky. I didn’t mean to attack. It was just a short post with links. You make very good points, so good I had to post to your (post) points. Anytime I can use a “RIF” reference I just use it
, my bad. I would never mean to “diss” your accomplishments. You accomplishments are impressive.
Not to get into the history “stuff” too much but the Spanish Moor conquest really did affect just as many people as any great historical conquest.
The Moor’s “clout” has just been sooo diminshed (beacause they were black and Islamic) by western world. They did all that “cool stuff” and they don’t even register in the history book. Sad.
“A Sony PSP with a Spanish Moor (or any other dark skinned person) dominating a white is not as poignant as this ad (how many white people would associate an image of a black woman dominating a white woman with the Spanish Moors? c’mon, man.)”
You are correct (kinda), They would not even think about that. If I saw and ad with a black person dominating a white person I WOULD think about the Moors. I’m aware of the history so my brain would quickly think about that and move on.
Many white people would not associate an ad like that with being dominated cause THEY don’t know about THAT part of thier history.
The same way the Sony ad “creates” a false reality is the reason hisory books “skim” over the parts that black people dominated Europe or when Asian people discovered America.
When you mention these things people just don’t believe it because that information has been erased from history. But it’s true.
Everyone has been dominated at some point in their history. Lots of history books are just as one sided as the Sony ad. Thats one reason the Ad makes my so angry.
Its soooooo one sided, i mean damn, Black folks have to be dooged out at the expense of TOY! What does that say about the people who made such a greedy decision?
If we saw an ad with a very german looking woman dominating a very Jewish looking woman what would we think? What would the world think? We Sony EVEN go there? Hum….. Makes you think.
Why didn’t Sony put the other ad (the one with the Black woman beating up the White woman) on the building (the ad is big as day!). The tagline could be: Buy the White PSP, its NOT a bully like the Black PSP. That ad and tagline would be just as silly and mean as Sony’s current ad.
The comments from all this shows that the Sony ad WAS and IS a bad idea. Now the NAACP is in the mix. NOT GOOD for Sony…..
The point of ALL THIS from Sony’s take WAS to sell more PSP’s…..
Will THIS ad and ALL the “venom” produced by it sell more PSP?
I know one thing…I won’t be buying a Sony PSP. And I’ve sent tons of people I know this page and told them NOT to buy ANY Sony products.
Sony should just “suck it up” and say sorry, donate some money to a “black” cause and LEARN from this and move on.
In the end you can’t “dump” on people and expect those “people”
(yes people of color (even BLACK people) ARE human beings) NOT to be upset. Apply the “Golden Rule” to others and you simply won’t have these “nasty-silly-dumb-hurtful-dangerous” problems.
July 7th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
Troy,
Are you comparing slavery, Jim Crow, and the massacre of Native-Americans to correction fluid and black print in the newspaper??
You are really really ignorant. I would love for all of you who say “it’s just an ad” to live one week as a black person in 1930’s Mississippi. Scratch that, one day. Then come back and say an ad proclaiming “White is coming” isn’t f*cked up!
It’s easy to be insensitive I guess when you haven’t had to experience what it’s like.
At the very least some of you should have gone to school. Read a book. I suggest “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn. You read that, Troy, and then I’ll watch Birth of a Nation or read some crazy Nazi stuff on your behalf.
July 7th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
I was going to say no its not racist but then I seen the add. WOW its a bit risky…. but maybe they should reverse the rolls and it won’t be so much of an issue simply because racism is still a problem and it still happens everywhere in the world.
July 7th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Ok, I am a black person. This is why I find it DISTASTEFUL. The imagery sends a message. In the ad, the white model appears larger than the black model and is grabbing her face in a “dominant” manner and islooming over her. Given the history of western culture, Sony should have taken another route. “Edgy” can definitley be done another, more tasteful way. Its tacky and a pathetic shot at adding shockvalue to thier ads. I can understand why people who are not black would think that calling the ad “racist” is overreacting. But understand that blacks have a history with all of this…a living history. Honestly, the “graffiti debacle” was bad enough…
July 7th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Black folks, if these ads offend you, please feel free to boycott the PSP. I already find about 95% of the media-related crap that many of you get into (rap, lousy sitcoms that rely primarily on sex and racism “jokes” [the latter of which are okay, of course, since it's blacks telling them], etc.) to be utter garbage, anyway…I’d hate for my beloved game system to fall into the vile category of something you guys actually like.
Anyway, like I said about this idiotic topic on a message board elsewhere, liberal-minded assholes will spin ANYTHING into a “racist” issue if they’re inclined to do so (which they usually are). Just as the average black/liberal says that the version of this ad in which a white woman is grabbing a black woman’s face is “racist” because it depicts a white woman dominating a black woman, those same freakin’ people would probably also say that the version of this ad in which a black woman has a white woman down on the ground is “racist” because it stereotypes blacks as being violent. In other words, it’s a no-win situation. The whole world is against those poor blacks, you know, and it’s everyone’s fault but their own that they just can’t seem to get ahead.
By the way, who the hell was it who got all upset about the use of the term “Negro” (sorry, but I don’t feel like sifting through the 100+ comments above)? This is actually something I’ve heard several times in my life only recently…do blacks ACTUALLY get offended by it, or have they simply run out of other things to bitch about? Do they truly not realize that “Negro” is an academic, completely inoffensive word that’s the black equivalent to the equally inoffensive word “Caucasian”, used to describe whites?
Good Lord…just when I thought that the stupidity couldn’t get any worse…
July 7th, 2006 at 6:44 pm
I’m not racist but I think black ppl get offended too easily…it could be just me but I don’t take any insults seriously especially from an add…by the way Sony HAS clarified that there was no racist intent so, why is everyone still angry?
P.S.
I like Ipods white and PSP’s black…
July 7th, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Dennis,
Please read more. Why is everyone still angry?? One could write a dissertation about that.
First, perspective I’m married to a white man so I don’t hate all white people nor am I angry at all of them.
Why angry in general? Despite an Ivy League PhD, I’ve been called a “nigger” more than a few times by people probably living in trailer parks. Also been told that I shouldn’t drive through “this” neighborhood in Illinois a year ago. My great-grandpa was killed by the Klan on the side of a road. My grandma was assaulted by a man she worked for as a sharecropper. And my mom was told not to move into a new neighborhood in America LAST YEAR! Oh, and I constantly have to prove that I’m NOT ignorant. That’s just the short list.
So yeah, I’m personally offended by an advertisement with a dominating White person saying “White is coming!!”
But that’s just me.
This has been fun, but tiring. See you guys.
July 7th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
On a side note: I can see the ad – shown on the picture at this post – from my house. So it hasn’t been removed. (btw in Rotterdam, NL).
July 7th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
“CRY WOLF”…you ARE the problem! It is idiots like you that confirm the incredible arrogance and ignorance that is destroying the world that we all have to share. Shame on you! I wish your parents did a better job at rasing you. Your perspective is out of the 1940’s. Did anyone tell you that your own survival is based on the well being of others. That you must care for people around you to truly be an enlightened person. Or are you OK with the limited view of the world that you seem to take pride in? I can’t believe we are still have conversations about Black people being too “sensitive”. Insulting! The psychology of white privlidge is appalling. You’re lucky you never have to worry about someone judging you based on the color of your skin, thankful we can only judge you for your cluelessness . Sorry, it must be cold in the cave you live in.
July 7th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Hey, Oakland…I’m an idiot, but you’re the one with a questionable (at best) hold of the rules of capitalization, grammar, and punctuation, huh? Sounds like the pot calling the kettle “black”. Oops! I’d better not say that around you, as I’m sure it’ll be misinterpreted.
Anyway, I can’t believe that you can’t believe that we’re still having conversations about black people being too sensitive. So, according to you, they can just say anything at all about being bothered by the most trivial of things, and everyone is supposed to whip out the handkerchiefs? Sorry, but if I give any significant amount of thought to every idiotic incident that THEY claim is “racist”, my full-time job will be worrying about that which offends them…which is just about everything in life that turns out not to be in their favor.
Gee, I guess it’d be nice (for me, anyway) if all of society were to stand up and take extra-special notice every time something offended ME or hurt MY feelings…but, then again, I have the mentality of an adult, so I’d never expect that in the first place. It’s sad that others do.
July 7th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Sounds like someone needs a life and a job or maybe locked away
somewhere like lecter was in Silence of The Lambs
July 7th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
Hey, Cry Wolf
Good luck with that adult mentality of yours.
Its been fun.
July 7th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Reading the comments regarding this ad has proven once again that people do not take the time to understand what others see. Some are quick to call people’s reactions “knee-jerk” for believeing it’s racist while others say if you can’t see it your “blind”. Truth be told, your personal experience and education (which in themselves are affected by race & money/priveledge) is going to determine what you “see”. That is why some see a racist image and some don’t, regardless of the commentor’s race. Before you comment calling Black people paranoid, do a little research on Black images in media. Obviously racist media is NOT a new phenomena, so go find out WHY this invokes such a strong reaction. And if you’re not willing to educate yourself about it, then just say “I don’t think it is” and leave it at that. Because calling people paranoid doesn’t change a thing.
July 7th, 2006 at 9:16 pm
i now want a white psp now
July 7th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
The ad is personifying the two colors. There is a rivalry between them. Each color wants to be the best. There are photos of either color in a dominating position. Of coarse there is a black person representing the black colored PSP and a white person representing the white PSP. Would it make sense any other way? Can a black person never be depicted as being dominated? This makes no sense to me.
July 7th, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Aside from all the controversy, there’s a devastating lack of understanding, particularly in the language used in the debate. Blacks in Europe should be called what they are; Foreign Invaders. Blacks are out of place in Europe. That’s not to say that there’s necessarily anything inherently wrong with Africans, but they should be appreciated all the more if they are in Africa.
The ad would have been better if the White girl was beheading the Black girl… giving her the same treatment Iraqis give foreign invaders. That would have put the ad solidly in the “public service announcement
July 7th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
eh, I can see how the ad can be viewed as racist and I understand everyones rants about how the ad should be taken down…
but we have to keep in mind.
sales for the psp have gone down, a crazy so-called racist ad that everyone talks about is just the thing sony needs to boost sales.
the sony exec’s are loving all this whinning over “omg the ad is rasict,” they now know they are going to sale more white psp units.
Being a half african american woman i see this ad as retarded and so unorignal, they could of found different ways to market the new white psp.
a handheld should be not measured by the content of the ads, but by the quality of the games.
and like someone said over in another comment
DS>PSP
I guess the people who lack basic reasoning skills to understand this ad isn’t the slight bit racist, and is only premotting a lackluster sony handheld, most likely also think Nintendo is racist by only releasing the white ds lite here in the states.
ITS ONLY A HANDHELD!
July 7th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
If is was a white man, and a black woman. No body would be complaining about this. I find that sad.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
crazy dave, I don’t know what YOU’RE smokin’, because if it was a white man and a black woman, it would have been even worse. PUH-LEEZE!!
July 7th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
This is definitely not meant to be racist but it still looks that way. If someone saw this billboard and didn’t see the psp logo or realize they are talking about the color of the psp they should see it as racist.Even if it was vice wersa i still think it racist
July 7th, 2006 at 10:21 pm
You consider this racist? I guess in the strictest sense it’s a contrast between black and white. But come on. It’s two unempowered minorities (black women and white women with femullets). And they’re somewhat hot, obviously well dressed. There’s no suggestion of slavery or disparity of social class. Also, in the end the black kick pwns the white chick.
You people have issues that go way beyond not having enough to keep you busy at work if you have a problem with this ad.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
i think it’s funny,and it makes me want to buy one….maybe two.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Chris:
Who and what the hell are you talking about?
Oakland:
Thanks…and I agree.
RW:
I understand your point and am usually willing to look further into things before commenting on them, but there comes a point in certain aspects of life when a situation has been so incredibly ludicrous for such a long time that it’s not worth the time to look into anymore (like, blacks suing Southwest airlines because a stewardess said, “…eenie, meenie, miney, moe…”, or a black employee at a computer company causing a big stink over the terms “master” and “slave” when referring to freakin’ hard drives, or a bunch of blacks freaking out over a public spokesman using the term “niggardly”, or…the list goes on and on and on, probably longer than either of us would believe). When solid evidence of racism is on the table, I take notice…when it’s opinion-based bullshit, I go do something infinitely more important, like fold some underwear.
Drako:
To each his own. Personally, I like the black PSP the best.
Waugh:
EXCELLENT point…when you asked if a black person can ever be depicted as being dominated, I mean. Even I can understand why blacks were upset in the old days, when they were constantly portrayed in movies and whatnot as bumbling, stupid assholes. Now, though, they’re often shown in a positive light in the media, so what’s wrong with showing one of them as the black chick is in the Sony ad once in a while? Do some blacks really think that they’re so freakin’ perfect that they HAVE to be depicted as being “on top” 100% of the damn time?!? Give me a break, and get over yourselves…
White…without apology:
I’m not going anywhere NEAR that!
silly people:
PSP >>>>>>>>> DS…please, show me some figures to back up what you’ve said about PSP sales “going down”. Last I heard, they were going quite strong.
crazy dave:
I’m not sure what your point is, either.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:56 pm
Cry Wolf, I understand about some things being ludicrous, but what I am talking about is not frivolous or ludicrous. It’s very valid and unfortunately people of ALL races don’t feel like it’s worth their time to understand an issue, but they sure got PLENTY of time to comment, in between folding underwear. And that’s also why the evidence you seek will very rarely be “solid”, because people will judge an issue using personal perception based on ignorance.
July 7th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red, and yellow, black, and the new PSP, they are precious in his sight…
July 7th, 2006 at 11:38 pm
should all white people be pissed bacause the ps2 is predominatly all black? lol, it’s an ad. all black people wanna bitch about anything they don’t like, if we had an all white tv like bet does, we’d be sued…
July 7th, 2006 at 11:46 pm
Let’s all remember that First the Blacks in Africa sold Blacks to the White Man Creating the slave trade. The blacks are still angry about that and they blame the buyer and not the dealer. Currently Blacks are leaving their countries because of the way their fellow Blacks treat them. I don’t get it. Maybe the Blacks should just focus their energy on solving their problem. Just blaming Whites and expecting the White Man to resolve the problem will only reverse any progress for their situation. I personally don’t mind the AD. Everyone has the choice not to look or not to buy the product.
Let’s judge by Character and individual behavior not by color.
July 8th, 2006 at 12:04 am
God created colors to help make the world more beautiful. See how Satan is using one of God’s creations to bring hate and confusion into the world? What else is new? The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun. You take it how you want to.
July 8th, 2006 at 12:53 am
Thats pretty much racism there nothing to u can really say to defend this ad its just plain racism
July 8th, 2006 at 1:03 am
Beautiful ad, what a great marketing campaign…If it were the other way around…..Black PSP (character) gripping White PSP (character) …NO PROBLEM…people have to grow up and quit stoking the fires of racism that aren’t there unless u want to keep them there !
July 8th, 2006 at 1:39 am
All of you who are offended by this, shut the fuck up! Stop trying to make it something it’s not. And also, shut the fuck up Gh3tt0 Child, it’s not fucking racist.
July 8th, 2006 at 2:00 am
RACIST / NON RACIST?
Who Cares ?
THE AD WORKED…
Lets put it this way…
During a normal day, I would never normally even so much as think about a psp, whatsoever… No importance to me at all…
But not only have I just spent nearly an hour of my time reading this tread but im replying to it as well…
So, would I now go and buy a PSP ?
No, but then again, I wouldnt want one if they free… No interest in them at all, whatsoever…
But if someone asked mr later on today or to,mmorow , to name a portable gaming device, untill today, I would have answered “GameBoy” However Now, Id say PSP…
Thats called Brand Awaereness, or Brand Recogniton…
So the ad worked Period
July 8th, 2006 at 2:21 am
White without apology, you are nuts!! Of course, you don’t have to apologize for being white. No one should, but your thought process needs looking into. To all you people who want to know why Black people are so “sensitive”, here’s your answer. OMG, you are a psycho! Like a real live psycho. Oh wait, you’ll probably say I’m being to sensitive. You’ll say you were “joking” about an ad beheading a black girl. Or maybe you were being ironic.
Most likely you are just an actual psycho who fantasizes about beheading black people. Curious, do you wear a swastika or a hood? Or are you just one of those psychos who dresses normally and walks among us. Those are the scariest ones of all.
July 8th, 2006 at 2:41 am
Lisa,
Now…now…quit being so sensitive….you’re part of the problem !!…Again, like TGITC points out… I just made a comment that it was a great ad that “Caught everyone’s attention” and Brand awareness is everything in marketing and advertising.
Honest question Lisa, if it was like I mentioned about the reversal of the “Colors” would you be crying “racist” as well…and calling me psycho ?….Doubt it !….
July 8th, 2006 at 2:41 am
I had a typo. I meant to type “too sensitive” instead of “to sensitive”. Had to come back and change it lest you all jump on my case for that instead of Psycho Beheading Man.
July 8th, 2006 at 2:46 am
I wasn’t calling you a psycho, izazman. Did you read what I said? Unless your user name is also White Without Apology. Scroll up and read what he wrote. World doesn’t revolve around you, izazman.
Um, and I must be in bizarro world. I’m “part of the problem”. Hel-lo, there’s someone who said something about beheading black people. I couldn’t care less about whatever you said about brand awareness.
July 8th, 2006 at 2:50 am
Lisa,
My apologies !..I didn’t read the whole thread but got “Stuck” on all the “Racist” comments…..I thought your comments were directed towards my post !…sorry
July 8th, 2006 at 3:14 am
polical corectness gone mad who really cares its just a ad
if it was a black chick with a white nothing would be said
ITS JUST A AD
July 8th, 2006 at 4:21 am
Would all the black people please buy lots and lots of black PSP to show you are proud to be black and would all the white people please buy lots of white PSPs.
The next ad is for the pink PSP triumphing over black and white, so if all the homosexuals would please go out and buy pink…
July 8th, 2006 at 5:22 am
Now this is just PC gone mad..white people are routinely lambasted and attacked by the media with cheap, throwaway and dispicably-racist propaganda.
Yet when someone adverstises a white PSP..out come the hysterical, racial nancies and their hissy fits..
“Welcome to the white world”, some might say. How does if feel to even begin to understand how the white world feels at the way it is portrayed?
The only reason Sony removed this ad is the same reason the race industry in Europe is an industry and not a consortium of common ground: MONEY. Sony is worried about PR and MONEY.
If people want this removed for racism then why are they so utterly hypocritical when white people are portrayed as horrible people? When white people are turned down for jobs because of the colour of their skin? When white people are stopped at the US border check-in when 8,000 non-white nationals WALK across that border ever single day?
The hypocrisy here could go on forever, but no..the whole world hates black people so ban it! I don’t like what anyone says so I shout “racist”! Sack it, ban it..silence it. A certain person had the same idea back in 1939.
This is why we are all advancing not forwards but back into the jungle..we are blinded by our own hypocrisy on race and it goes from advertising boards to ignoring the damage done to the earth as a direct result of birth rates and oppressive regimes..common sense is not fashionable where multiculturalism, power and money are concerned.
You don’t know what colour I am, by the way any more than I care what colour you are.
July 8th, 2006 at 5:43 am
PSP-GRAY!
July 8th, 2006 at 6:20 am
That’s reason # 34405 to nuke Holland.
July 8th, 2006 at 6:51 am
Have those of you who are claiming this ad is “racist” seen the ad where the black person is on top of the white person holding her by the throat?
If this is so racist, then that means the other ad is just as racist, please people stop looking for reasons to bitch.
July 8th, 2006 at 8:44 am
Strange that – the add that seems to cause the problem is the white person holding the black person by the throat – haven’t heard much mentioned about the add which is the other way round.
July 8th, 2006 at 9:00 am
Grow up people. It’s an ad. The point of an ad is to grab people’s attention. Clearly Sony grabbed your attention, because people are arguing about it, right? So, kudos to Sony for doing what they’re supposed to do; getting their product noticed, and causing a commotion.
July 8th, 2006 at 10:04 am
It’s not racist. If you think it is, then you’re racist. It’s an ad about the contrast of colors, there are no negative implications of any sort. It wouldn’t even be controversial if it were the other way around.
July 8th, 2006 at 11:46 am
I actually kind of liked the ad.
I feel that white people are making very many concessions trying to make up for past actions. Such as slavery and with the Native Americans.
But whoever said: No one thinks about the Spanish Moors because it happened over 1200 years ago and has little significance to anyone or anything today (except for people who go to google, type in “blacks oppressing whites
July 8th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
It’s funny, the whole advertising world is rife with images of “stupid rednecks” and “out of touch old white guys”, yet no one complains.
But have one ad that has a white person in a position of strength, and it’s the end of the world.
It reminds me of the teen “white nationalist” band Prussian Blue, terrible musos, no prospects, yet they create a media storm for being *pro-white* while hundreds of openly racist black rappers do their thing everyday without so much as raised eyebrow.
The truth is most people really DO believe in white supremacy, hence any slight sign of it being portrayed needs to be *stamped out* asap, because unlike images of non-white supremacy(which are everywhere in popular culture but we see it as a *joke*), it actually IS a possibility…..it seems we’re always just one advertisement or song away from worldwide whitey rising up.
July 8th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
oh noes, that women is grabbing the other woman, ZOMG RACIST!!111!!11!11!!!1
also, WTF, most people don’t beleive in white supremacy ; and I’d say the percentage of white people that beleive in white supremacy is probably the same as the amount of black people who beleive in black supremacy
July 8th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Where can I find the other ad with the black girl sitting on the white girl?
July 8th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Ok so those “offended” folks out there, wheres the big argument for this one?
http://www.aeropause.com/archives/pspswhitead2.jpg
July 8th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
As all the comments posted here have been in english, it is not surprising that US and Euro-centric perceptions and values have dominated the discussion, and rightly so. Sony, of course, is a Japanese company and is thus unlikely to be even remotely upset by causing offence to black OR white people. Racism is so ingrained and absolute in Japan that foreigners are considered an irrelevance, or a nuisance at best.
It may take a few more years, but mark my words, the Japanese military juggernaut will rise again, and this time they won’t stop at Hawaii. Sure they’ll probably get nuked again before they do any real damage, but it will be rather unnerving to have hordes of cute schoolgirl sized soldierettes storming the beaches all around the Pacific, their Sailormoon backpacks full of fresh whale meat and Sony grenade-station-portables.
I’m not going to waste any more time worrying about some white girl / black girl advertisement in Holland, when the real threat is simmering in the far east, ready to pounce, just as soon as they finish putting on their make up.
July 8th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
F8 – I’m not sure you know what you’re talking about. I’m not sure that most of the people who have posted here know what they are talking about. Some of you may be artists, marketeres, cashiers, corporate employees, etc, but you certainly aren’t historians and scholars. You play alot of video games for christ’s sake – ‘m sure the av age here is in the low 20’s or even lower.
We can talk about the ad, or we can talk about racism. Given the history of the US and its current racial climate, this is a foolish ad to release. Any RATIONALE and EDUCATED black person who was planning on buying a psp would PROBABLY decide not to after seeing this ad. I don’t knkow about the other ads, haven’t seen them.
As for racism. F8, you said that finger has been pointed at every race in history. You are a fool. The kingdoms of Africa and Asia declined long long ago. Centuries ago. The past millenium has been characterized by domination of the entire world by Europeans, or European colonies (America). For you to point to the moors in 1200 as an example of blacks dominating whites is foolish. That was an outlier event, it wasn’t indicative of the trend or majority of situations. The fact that you have (allegedly) read so much shows that you either didn’t read all those books, or weren’t able to put them into proper context.
All of you should go back to your games and stop trying to debate racism and other controversial and “opinion-based” topics. If you think you have a right to discuss it, or even want to discuss it, why not do some reading, and then do some observation, and all the whil use some CRITICAL THINKING to make your analysis. You’re all stating your opinions, but your opinions hold no water because they are based on nothing. You haven’t done any research and you haven’t thought very much about what you’re saying. “Who cares about racism” and “black people are racists too” and all this dumb shit.
I’m not even surprised. Look at the history of the US, look at the current administration of the US. They tell me that the American public is apathetic and disinterested. Such people cannot properly understand concepts like racism, white supremacy, etc. Technology and business? Yes. Human rights and cultural sensitivity? No.
Go back to your games, don’t worry about all this grown-up talk…
July 8th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
quote: Ok so those “offended
July 8th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Dennis is exactly right. Anything that could be racist against white people is ignored and the world goes up in arms over something that can be considered racist against most other races. Going by the idea that the first billboard is racist, it means the second is actually more racist because the white person is on the ground with the black person over here. Check out what the person at ctrlaltdel-online.com said because he touches on it perfectly:
“Here’s a different take on my view.
No one is offended that the billboard suggests a precursor to violence. No one is offended that it’s two women involved in violence. If it had been two white women, one in a white suit, one in a black suit, nobody would say a thing.
Furthermore, nobody has said word one about the version of the ad where the black woman is dominating the white woman. And I’m willing to bet that if that image had been on the billboard instead, nobody would have said a thing. At least not publicly.
So ask yourself, honestly, why it’s offensive to you. Because the billboard doesn’t depict slavery. Not in the slightest. If the black woman was picking cotton, and the white woman was standing over her with a whip, then hell yes it would be offensive. But it’s just two people squaring off, and one of them has the upper hand. So why does it matter to you which one that is?
Because if we really want to reach the level of equality in our society that we all say we do, we need to stop dwelling on the past. Slavery is abolished. Has been for a good long time. Not a single one of us Americans owned slaves, or was a slave. It was a horrible period in time, but it’s over. Being oversensitive about things like this billboard is what’s keeping this racial tension alive. If you ask yourself honestly, you may find that you don’t actually think the billboard is offensive, but that you’ve just been taught it’s offensive.
Stop making race a big deal, and race stops being a big deal.
(PS, Kudos to whoever designed the ad campaign for accomplishing exactly what was intended; to spark discussion and bring attention to Sony and the product)”
July 8th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Ok let me just say this, people who weren’t born, or has lived as a black person for the past two hundred years have not right to talk about what is and isn’t racist. How can you possible understand how it feels to be told that you are inferior to another based only on skin color. Not only that but to have movies, tv show and picture depicting such ideals. It the ad offensive to black people? Yes. But the only people who should be making making that call should be the people it offends, not those who aren’t offended by it.
July 8th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
@ all u black ppl: It is understandable that you guys get offended easily because of the way white ppl’s ancestors use to treat u like sh*t and kill ur ancestors, If I were to put myself in ur position, if someone were to call me bird sh*t, I would laugh (inside)…I just don’t take racism seriously (towards me)…but u black ppl have reason to feel more touched cuz of the martin luther king time…WTF were the white ppl thinking to torture ur “race”…When I say race I don’t mean anything racist…dominican and italian are diff “races” for example…this is my theory…if ur white and can make a kid wit a black ppl or the vice…then ur the same “race” (human) after all…for example u cant have an elephant f*ck a pig…
July 8th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
I’m tired of arguing with ignorant people who say things like “slavery was a long time ago” so racism is over. Okay, so if it’s not wearing a hood and hanging you from a tree than it’s not racist.
I’m tired of arguing. So I give. You are right. Racism is officially over. HOORAY!! Racism is over! We are all now equal! We all have all the same opportunities. It’s so great! I’m glad you declared it over! I’ve been waiting so long! So now you’ll have no problem with black people moving in next door or a black man dating your sister or daughter. And now we can all go to the same schools and have the same jobs. Does this mean I can now wear my hair “natural” without straightening chemicals and keep my management job?! Because I couldn’t before. I was told my natural hair was “unprofessional” That’s so great. That’ll save me a lot of money. And I won’t be followed around and watched in stores, and my dad won’t get pulled over for “routine” stops by the cops anymore. Wow! That’s a relief!!
Thanks, Sony!!!! You’re awesome. Yaaay! We’re free!!!!
July 8th, 2006 at 8:38 pm
I’m a black man, and I don’t find the picture to be racist. I just find the ad to be stupid. To me, it just looks like the white woman is mushing the black woman. It isn’t like the black woman is getting whipped, or hung, or burned, or hit with a fire hose. While the ad clearly isn’t getting the results it was looking for, it is far from racist, IMO.
July 8th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
I don’t think it’s racist, but I do think it should have been a Mexican instead of a white woman.
July 8th, 2006 at 9:17 pm
Let’s discuss the advert. I think this is no place to have a scholarly discussion about the possibility of racism outside its current context, which is this ad.
Ok, you have to look at it from a marketing perspective. What do you think of when you see an openly hostile white woman holding the mouth of a black woman? Personally I think the general public won’t understand the ad, and that’s the whole point! To be is to be perceived. Therefore if the ad is perceived by consumers as a racist ad, then it IS a racist ad, whether that was the intent or not.
I don’t believe it is racist at all however, as the black woman in other ads is shown dominating the white woman.
Personally there are many more interesting ways to display the contrast of colour than an ad that many will look at a polarizing racist issue. This is all about marketing. If people are hyper-sensitive to the issue, then why cause a knee-jerk reaction with such an ad? You can still be edgy without overstepping what people perceive to be as personal boundaries.
By creating a hostile ad about the contrast of black and white with the inclusion of a black woman and white woman, the issue is immediately polarized. How could it not be with the general public who may not understand the intent of the advert?
July 8th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Like many people before I find this ad Offensive but I don’t think it’s
racist. For all the people who come in saying things like ” all this ad is
showing is a black psp and a white psp” or ” white people are not
mad because the original psp was black” this forum is way over your
head because we are not debating over the color of the PSP’s, but the
imagery of the advertisement. Like I said I don’t find the ad racist,
but it is offensive to me. I feel that way because of the known
history between black and whites and the opression and
discrimination that has gone on in the past. Maybe if I did live in
a world where everyone was always treated the same and there was
no such thing as racism I wouldn’t be bothered by it. The fact is I do
live in a world where racism and people being discriminated against
still exists. I live in Louisiana where people are so behind the times
it is amazing. As for the ad “I” get that the two women represents
the PSP’s, but if I didn’t know what a PSP was and I saw the ad it
would be offensive. I’m still scratching my head at people who
are posting telling people what should offend them. If it offends me
it offends me why are you trying to argue me down about why it
isn’t offensive to you. The fact is people are offended by it, the
controversy is not about people are not offended by it. As for me I
don’t believe I classify as a racist, I just hate stupid people, I also
hate black people who are uneccessarily loud, I hate black people
who talk the whole time while the proffessor is lecturing, I hate
white people who talk too much, I hate it when oriental girls laugh
all the damn time. I hate people with stinky breath, I hate myself
when I catch myself saying stupid little phrases. Basically I hate
stupidity.
July 8th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Well, I’ve read some of the responses here, and I’m gonna offer my opinion as.. *GASPS*.. a black male.
Personally, I don’t find anything racist about it. I’ve also seen the other two pictures with the black female on top, so maybe that’s also a factor. Hell, I can’t even take my eyes off the white chick because she has a damn fine body.
BlackDragon had the right idea, though.. If you aren’t, or have never been, black.. how can you actually determine what is and isn’t racist to other racial communities? I’ve seen this most from white people. They tend to claim “racism” in place of other races. I’ve never seen Hispanics or Asians cry racism for the Blacks, and I’ve never seen (or have done personally) any black person cry racism for anyone else. This is mainly an exclusively-white tendency. You guys tend to want to make the world PC, as if trying to over-compensate for what happened long ago.
So, basically:
1. The ad isn’t “racist”, as it in no way depicts the black chick getting beaten, whipped, hung, or arrested. If you think it IS racist, you have no idea what it was like to live back then. You need to take a step outside of yourself and think.. Compared to a simple ad, slaves would laugh in your face if you tried to claim “racism” to this.
2. Also, to get this point out to the white folk… We’re black, not African-American. I have never once been to Africa. Nor have my parents.
3. If you aren’t black, you have NO right to try and proclaim what IS and what ISN’T racist to the black community. Why are you even trying?
4. And to the people saying, “Who cares?”. I’m glad you can live your life in such a sheltered community where this type of thing doesn’t exist in your eyes. It matters because many parts of this nation still aren’t equal, and I wish it were possible to switch lives with someone.
July 8th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
Also, besides the closet racists that plague the net and hide behind their little monitors..
It’s safe to say that a MAJORITY of posters here are white. That said, to say things like, “Black people get over yourselves..”, or “You people are always the first to cry racism”… Um, you’re really talking to your fellow whites here.
And if the ad were reversed, it wouldn’t be getting this much controversy. Period. The reason is because there is still much tension, though it is COMPLETELY unneeded. Take what my grandparents, or THEIR grandparents went through back then.. and today’s standards for “racist behavior” are a damn joke. It’s ridiculous. Back then, there wouldn’t even BE a black chick on a billboard at ALL.. Now there’s one, and because the white chick is holding her mouth, it’s supposed to be a sign of racism? Get outta here with that. We’re the only ones holding ourselves back.. well, us, and the white people who try to tell us what’s supposed to be racist toward us.
“# AnimeDevil Says:
July 6th, 2006 at 7:55 am
Well from what I have read so far from these comments. It seems that only blacks are mad at this ad and all that wrote these comments are black. I understand why the black community would be mad, but come on think of it this way. If the chick in white was back and the chcik in black was white, than would it be ok?”
Riiiiiiiiight, kid. Even though, that’s clearly not the case from what I’ve read myself. As usual on the internet, it’s mostly the white people that claim racism for everyone else. And, of course, the ignorance that comes with discussing such things make me wonder how in the blue HELL whites could consider themselves better than ANYONE back then.
July 8th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
Hmm I’m black and I find it offensive but not racist. I can clearly see the message they are trying to send and the idea is basic. I just think the ad is disrespectful come on now… I dont have a problem with the N word but when a white person says it knowing that it offends black ppl it’s still disrespectful whether they are white or not. Thie is very offensive and you should know better, If we used the N word instead of black all the time and we were never called black I wouldnt have a problem with a white person calling me that but the fact that they know it offends some ppl is disrespectful. They could’ve easily have just put 2 of the same race one with a white shirt and one with a black shirt to clearly get the message across, Sony did it on purpose with the intentions of gaining some attention to the PSP.
July 8th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Wait a second I just took a 2nd look at this picture and I do believe the creator is obviously a racist instead of putting 2 beautiful ppl of both races one of them looks like a slave in the darkness while the other looks like princess in the light….
July 8th, 2006 at 11:27 pm
Although I have not personally seen it, I was told that there is also a similar ad with the black woman grabbing the white woman instead.
In any case, this has to do with the color of a video game system. Get over it. People are overly race-conscious, and this is the cause of their suffering.
July 8th, 2006 at 11:40 pm
Tha Prodigy wrote:
“If you aren’t, or have never been, black.. how can you actually determine what is and isn’t racist to other racial communities?”
Well, Prod, that’s actually an easy question to answer. It’s because “racism”, like so many other terms and concepts, has a definite meaning…and most people (blacks, whites, etc.) know what that meaning is. If you want to be logical about it, blacks would actually be the LEAST likely to know what is and isn’t racist…at least as “racism” applies to them.
Now, before everyone starts crapping in their pants, let me explain. According to several different dictionaries, the definition of “racism” is something like “…discrimination or prejudice based on race.” Sound accurate enough? Okay…so, let’s say that something happens that may or may not be a “racist” incident. For example (to vaguely cite a news item from years past), let’s say that some blacks go to a restaurant, and their white waitress tends to the needs of her white customers more quickly than she does to her black customers.
Well, the black customers may claim to be the victims of “racist” behavior perpetrated by their white waitress, but the white waitress may claim that she simply forgot to visit the table of the black customers as often as she should’ve, maybe because of where that particular table was situated or something. Now, here’s the important question, so pay attention…WHO REALLY KNOWS BEST WHETHER OR NOT “RACISM” ACTUALLY TOOK PLACE?
The answer, which anyone with more than an ounce of brains should have no trouble figuring out, is that THE WHITE WAITRESS is actually the ONLY one who knows FOR SURE whether or not racism actually took place…that is, unless the black customers are a bunch of mind-readers or something. Therefore, Prod (honestly, not trying to be a smartass or anything), I’m positive that those against whom “racism” has allegedly been committed are FAR LESS qualified than those whom have allegedly committed an act (or acts) of “racism” are to determine whether or not “racism” has actually taken place. If you disagree, I might ask you…who knows better what’s going through your mind? You, or me?
Think about that…
July 9th, 2006 at 12:33 am
I’m black, and I think the ad campaign rocks.
But that’s just me.
When you’re creating a campaign for the mainstream, you will always piss someone else off. But lets be real- you can’t market the same way to every group, and if you want true neutrality as an international company, you can’t market someways at all.
If you’re a wise marketer, you’d stay away from any ads that may imply
-black/white racism
-exteme islam/jihad/terrorism
-religious references
Argue all you want, wish people will be what they will, but these things are just bad business for a company to engage in. That’s is just the way it is, and the sooner off one realizes it the better of they will be.
July 9th, 2006 at 1:31 am
I don’t see how this is racist.If it was a black person doing that to a white person nobody would even notice it so why doesn’t everybody quit complaining.
July 9th, 2006 at 2:34 am
Lisa Says:
July 8th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
I’m tired of arguing with ignorant people who say things like “slavery was a long time ago
July 9th, 2006 at 2:35 am
Hey guys,
Whe I was first shown this ad, I knew that this kind of reaction would occur, and as I look at the different websites and forums that have kicked up a stink it amazes me how narrow-minded people these days are. The function of art and marketing is to create publicity, to stir controversy and from a marketing perspective, to promote a product. The fact that this ad has got you all talking is testament to the fact that Sony have created a very successful marketing campaign. The ‘White’ PSP is presently on all of your lips, or at least on your fingertips as you type away your messages of either hate, love or indifference. Whichever way you look at it, as long as your talking (or writing) about it, the marketers have done their job.
No publicity is the only bad publicity.
People, have you forgotten ‘personification’, the art of giving human characteristics to non-human objects. That is what this campaign is all about. It’s not about a white woman abusing a black woman, or vice versa. It’s the fact that all you people out there are going to be given a choice. WHITE IS COMING. The ad is designed to stir, and it has done so. Do we live in such a litigated society where EVERY little thing we do must be totally politically correct, in order to avoid backlash and public outcry? Why don’t we lock you all in a different room with nothing on the walls, and expose you to nothing in this world. Would you then be better off?
People these days don’t get an idea unless they’re punched in the face with it, or its spelled out in huge letters that can be seen from the moon. Everything these days must be black or white, there is no room in this world for grey anymore. This is a simple campaign that gots all ya’ll talking. The Sony marketing department are presently being congratulated on a job well done, and have quietly withdrawn…after all, they’d like to enjoy their mild success, rather than be stoned to death, as I imagine some of you out there are thinking you would like to do…
I’d like to bring your attention to a Broadway show called Avenue Q. It’s a show done ‘a la’ Sesame St and Jim Henson. In it is a song called “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”. If you have ever laughed at an un-PC joke directed at any racial sector, or if you have ever made comment based on racial stereotyping, some people would class you as just ever so slightly racist. Look up the lyrics…I dare you.
This is almost as pathetic as Canda’s backlash from the ad about Australia with the phrase “Where in the bloody hell are you?”. Get a grip people. If this ad was designed to be racist, don’t you think the black woman in the pictures might have kicked up just an intsy-winsty bit of a stink about it?
To conclude, the Bonnie Raitt song comes to mind about here… “Let’s give them something to talk about…a little something to figure out.” Go figure they’d bring out a clever ad to a generation that have stopped being clever.
July 9th, 2006 at 3:28 am
cripes, it’s an ad offering a white version of PSP. Maybe Apple should be slammed because it doesn’t offer a black IPOD…..
July 9th, 2006 at 3:42 am
I hope the black gangs could beat the hell out of the white people for making this ad.
July 9th, 2006 at 4:08 am
“I don’t see how this is racist.If it was a black person doing that to a white person nobody would even notice it so why doesn’t everybody quit complaining.”
This is what makes it racist
Hmm I’m black and I find it offensive but not racist. I can clearly see the message they are trying to send and the idea is basic. I just think the ad is disrespectful come on now… I dont have a problem with the N word but when a white person says it knowing that it offends black ppl it’s still disrespectful whether they are white or not. Thie is very offensive and you should know better, If we used the N word instead of black all the time and we were never called black I wouldnt have a problem with a white person calling me that but the fact that they know it offends some ppl is disrespectful. They could’ve easily have just put 2 of the same race one with a white shirt and one with a black shirt to clearly get the message across, Sony did it on purpose with the intentions of gaining some attention to the PSP. The fact that they have the black woman look like a slave with bad clothes covered in the darkness and the white woman covered in light makes it look racist.
July 9th, 2006 at 4:22 am
To ‘And to how is this racist’: Apple do offer a black iPod nano.
July 9th, 2006 at 4:24 am
The ad looks a bit controversial, that’s for sure, but I don’t find it racist. How come so few of you mention that this was an ad in a series of three pictures? There’s a second one with the black person acting aggressively toward the same white woman, and the latter is on the ground, as if overpowered. Those who are crying racist–where are you? I don’t see you complaining about that part of the ad???
And don’t tell me people haven’t been watching adult websites. You see black men acting aggressively toward white women all over the internet, calling them b!tch, wh0re, slave, and so on. Where’s all the people who’re upset about racism huh????!!
July 9th, 2006 at 4:29 am
oh..since someone brought up Apple. Not long ago Apple Computer was criticized by some quarters for having a hardware line-up that’s white –”too white” for some righteous people. Where were all these people when the “professional” line of laptops were all black and the lower-level version were white and other colors? People didn’t say that it implied the black computer was superior to white computers did they?–ought they? Those who cry racism without putting that ad into context just want to make much ado about nothing. Now, I’m done spending my time on fools (yes, I call names, but so what?)
July 9th, 2006 at 5:24 am
People just like choices when it comes to hardware. I would prefer the black one because I don’t want to see how dirty my PSP is. Is just another choice for people. And as for the ad, there are plenty of rascist people out there, and instead of complaining about them on a blog, why not go and find them and stick your tongue out at them?
July 9th, 2006 at 5:39 am
Its an ad nothing else. Theres always going to be things like this. I really don’t view the image as racist but I can see why those of you would find it to be such. Over all this whole thing is being blown out of proportion like it usaly is. I perfer the black model of the psp better then the white model in any sense.
July 9th, 2006 at 6:05 am
I think it’d be only fair for Sony to make silver and transparent versions of the PSP, as I happen to know for a fact that the lack of these two PSP colors is VERY offensive to robots and invisible men.
Before you go thinking that this is some kind of big-ass joke or something, I’ll have you know that I’m probably the most uniquely qualified individual here to comment on this particular issue, as I am a member of both “ethnicities”. I thought that we’d advanced beyond such instances of blatant exclusion, but I guess not…what I’m going through now because of Sony’s thoughtless business practices is nearly as heinous and harsh as all of the things that my robomom and invisidad were forced to endure back in the day, and it’s disgusting.
About these ads…you white AND black people should be ashamed of yourselves. At least you’ll both have a PSP color before too long, but what about those like me? Sure, just concern yourself with your own race and ignore all of us super-minorities. There’s only one thing I’d like to say to all of you self-centered buttholes out there…just a little something I learned from robomom over the years when she had to deal with people like you. As she used to say, “DING BOOP BEEP FLOOP BLOP, BUZZT ZING BOP!”
July 9th, 2006 at 8:34 am
the ad is obviously racist when it stands alone, because its clearly showing white being dominant. however, if you get all of these ads, i.e. the black woman over the white woman, and the two of them standing next to each other…all it does is show that there is some sort of battle between black and white. so the stupidity in these ads is not that its white vs black, but that the ads actually USE a black PERSON and a white PERSON. SONY KNOWS THIS AD COULD EASILY BE CONSIDERED RACIST. If Sony did not want it to be a racist issue, they would NOT have used actual PEOPLE to represent their PSP’s, the fact that they used actual people is what stirs the controversy. FOR EXAMPLE, tHey could have used the Spy vs. Spy characters and none of this would be an issue, in no way racist. This should be clear evidence of how they even wanted controversy to begin with. So for those of you that say “this is not racist”… STFU…because the fact is that it IS disrespectful to the history between these two races, and also, the only reason youre saying it’s not racist is because ur tired of hearing people say “its racist” not because you have any logic or reasoning behind ur claim. For those of you that say it IS racist…its not…you have to take into account the other ads, and all the ads together do not show superiority over one race or another…however it is disrespectful, like i said, to the history between the two races, especially the one that got the short end of the stick…
how the fuck could anyone deny that?…unless ur racist?
July 9th, 2006 at 11:53 am
Too bad that movies like Team America and stuff like that havent caused an uproar?? WTF there is NO reason to get upset. There is nothing racial about that, do you think the “black” person in that ad cared? No? and I doubt it was the money that made that person not care. Why not ban Metallica’s song Sandman? Thats “making fun” of my people? Who cares, I listen to it none the less. I still play games where I blast the brains outa terrorists. Why not ban rap for having the “N” word in it? None of that has caused an uproar. Racism only exists if the one offended by it want it to be. I used to be called a Sand Nigger and Terrorist and such EVERY DAY . You know what? Idc???? maybe thats my nickname now?? Seriously if I were to beat the crap outa every person in my school that made fun of me racially, no ones mom would recognize them. Let it go! The Negro forefathers didnt die for something stupid like this. They died for better education and political equality not a video game ad. Now if the ad said something like “White Power” than that would be something but since it only says “Playstation Portable White is coming” it doesnt show anything derogitory. Besides..both those chicks are ugly.
July 9th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
I have a XBOX and if ya noticed that its actually a dark shade of green?…now xbox 360 is white…ya dont hear people whining bout that…lol
July 9th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Some people don’t know their ass from a whole in the ground. This ad is just as racist as invading Iraq has made the world a safer place.
The USA is clearly out of touch with reality. Now THAT’s a problem worth putting your energy in!
Hans, Netherlands.
July 9th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
the thing is they did this intentionally and a White person did not make this ad the Asians did and they know what they were doing, I think white ppl should be ashamed that they are being shown in this light. Oh yea they have an image of the black woman pinning down the white woman and it makes us blacks look like savages. The biggest problem is she looks like a slave… They could’ve gotten just a normal look black female instead of her. They could’ve easily had 2 ppl of the same race one with a black shirt and one with a white fighting and no one would be mad, or they could’ve had a beautiful white woman and beautiful black person in a picture instead of a beautiful white woman and a slave looking black woman. They couldve just put a black person with black psp and the white psp hell it’d be better to show black with white and white with black showing unity. Why did they have to make a black woman even fight a woman.
July 9th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
The ad works perfectly!
Everybody is srceaming about it, in the hole world.
Now, the white PSP it’s gonne be a success.
Sony did it again”
July 9th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
Hear no evil, See no Evil and Speak no evil……………race still matters to think other wise is to close the mind to the reality of our humanity and our ability to do great good or much evil. Remember words and images have the power; and power is what drives most conflicts in the world today, man’s overwhelming need to have and keep power over others whether it be a spouse, friend, neighbor or employees, co-workers; one country over another. Until we reach a new level of Consciousness where we can really see ourselves and others we will continue to battle over the most trival and pointless base things. Free you mind and you ass will follow……….
July 9th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
TO BlackDragon110 Says:
July 8th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Ok let me just say this, people who weren’t born, or has lived as a black person for the past two hundred years have not right to talk about what is and isn’t racist. How can you possible understand how it feels to be told that you are inferior to another based only on skin color. Not only that but to have movies, tv show and picture depicting such ideals. It the ad offensive to black people? Yes. But the only people who should be making making that call should be the people it offends, not those who aren’t offended by it.
I am a Native American, I my people were forced to walk the TRAIL OF TEARS (look it up) and i don’t think it is racist at all its just an AD!! I think we had more problems than the black man. All of our land taken away and we were also used as slaves, do you hear us bitching about it?? NO, its in the past , now get over it and make something of yourselve.
July 9th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Thank you Pfunk!!!!!
July 9th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
Well, Big Deer let’s not get into a one upsmanship on who suffered more. You the first Americans had all your land taken and blacks were taken from their land…same difference suffering is suffering. I disagree that the only people who have right to speak on the subject; in this case are blacks, we as a human body have the responsibility to speak up and out when we are faced with injustice and evil. This is what can bring unity of the mind. If only the people who are offended speak, then tell me who will speak for those with no voice (power) A man hung from a tree just because of his skin color has lost his voice; tell me who will speak for him? People were stuffed in showers and gassed and then burned in ovens tell me who spoke for them? If you consider yourself to be enlighten then speak for humanity speak for what is right and don’t let anyone fool you into thinking that there is no right or wrong, knowing that a double minded person is unstable in all their ways a fool walking a crooked path with blinders.
July 9th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Stephen said:
“The biggest problem is she looks like a slave… They could’ve gotten just a normal look black female instead of her.”
Umm, Stephen, you do realize that so-called “normal look” black females bear an even closer resemblance to tribal Africans (because, if they’re “normal” blacks, they ARE tribal Africans) than that woman in the PSP ad, don’t you? If you were thinking of someone like Halle Berry…well, she could probably bleed out the scant amount of “black” blood she has in her if she were to cut herself shaving.
Big deer said:
“…people who weren’t born, or has lived as a black person for the past two hundred years have not right to talk about what is and isn’t racist. How can you possible understand how it feels to be told that you are inferior to another based only on skin color.”
Where the fuck did this ignorant idea suddenly come from in which ONLY minorities should be able to determine what is and isn’t “racist”? I’ll tell you right now, that’d be the worst mistake that we, as a society, could possibly make, because, as I mentioned in an earlier post here, the minority criteria for “racism” is some of the most unfounded crap I’ve ever heard in my life.
As an example, I was talking to a black chick I knew a while back, and she claimed to be the victim of “racism” because some white chick was handing out fliers on her college campus, and neglected to give one to the black chick. There could’ve been a thousand reasons why the white chick in question didn’t give a flier to the black chick in question (she may have been talking/yawning/scratching her ass as the black chick walked by, she may have realized that there was an inaccuracy printed on the fliers and didn’t want to give out any more until it was corrected, she may have suddenly gone into a cataleptic seizure, etc.), but, of course, it just HAD to be because of “racism” according to the black chick.
Anyway, for all of you with an IQ higher than that of a houseplant, I’ll remind you that the ONLY person who knows FOR SURE whether or not “racism” has taken place is the alleged (and I use that term strongly) “racist”. If it’s the other way around as so many claim (with ONLY the alleged victim of “racism” knowing whether or not another person had racist intentions), why are many minority groups notoriously poor? They should go to Las Vegas and use that telepathy of theirs to make a bundle!
July 9th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
Again, I’m so glad that racism is finally over! I’ve told all my friends!
Cry Wolf says:
“Umm, Stephen, you do realize that so-called “normal look
July 9th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
here’s the thing you cant deny at all that they could’ve shown there message in a better light. They could’ve just as easily shown a black person playing with a white psp and white person playing with a black one and some how show unity yet they chose negativity amongst 2 races which has become a big problem in Europe this year. Currently this year in Soccer the white ppl think black players should be banned from playing because of their ability to perform and there have been riots and really big problems. They also could’ve just as easily found a black woman with nice clothes instead of getting a native african with raggidy clothes they could’ve shown her with better clothing, the thing is she looks like a savage in the pictures of her over the white girl.
July 9th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
It looks like shes gonna kiss the guy (in an ‘angry sex’ sort of way)… and he does’nt exactly look like he’s resisting.
Yeah, Im offended… at how the world is SO oversensitive to crap like this… but turn a blind eye to *real problems*.
Complaining at stuff like this is just fueling the problem. And Im offended the NAACP refuse to realize this.
Sony will only publish ’shock’ if the public is ’shocked’. Get a brain people.
July 9th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
white people just do racist things on the whole and say that aint nothing wrong with it..its just an ad!
it takes me back to a commercial in which a couple was going thru mexican immigration and they showed the mexican officials pull out their wallets filled with baby pictures. implying that all mexicans do is have a ton of children.
how the white mind thinks…
the white woman holding the black woman face =dominance, power
role reversal…
black woman holding a white woman face= aggression, hostile
July 10th, 2006 at 12:07 am
Hey, Lisa…
…instead of coming down on me for saying that “normal” blacks are tribal Africans, why not ask Stephen what HE meant by it? Seriously…what does that bring to YOUR mind, Lisa? To me, when someone talks about someone/something being “normal”, I tend to think of whomever/whatever it is being the way it’s originally supposed to be, which doesn’t include versions that are mixed with other things. For instance, if someone were to use the term “normal white”, I’d think of someone with pure European ancestry…NOT someone with a little black, a little Indian, etc.. Whatever, though…I know it’s difficult to have an intelligent conversation with someone who’s offended by everything, so I expected nothing more from you.
Also, it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that you go along with that “if a minority says that it’s racism, it’s racism…and ONLY they can determine that” bullshit. So, if I’m walking down the street minding my own business and some black crackhead approaches me for a handout and I choose to ignore him, he can call me a “racist”…and God forbid anyone disagree with him, since he’s black and I’m white and only HE can determine whether or not racist thoughts were going through MY mind when I failed to pay attention to him, right?
And about that stupid “rape” analogy (I swear, the more I read your post, the more I wondered how you even figured out how to operate a keyboard and write all that idiocy)…accused rapists usually DO deny having raped someone when they’re accused of it, but rape is an actual crime, which is why trials typically follow an alleged rape…you know, in order to determine whether or not one actually happened? Since racism, by itself, isn’t actually a crime (unless you’re talking about “hate crimes”, but those are almost always associated with actions that are illegal), a trial doesn’t typically follow, so the ONLY thing that fair and logical people have to go on is the word of he who knows best (which is, the alleged perpetrator). Sure, you could say, “If he’s a racist, he’s probably a liar, too,”…but YOU DON’T KNOW if the accused is a racist, so YOU COULDN’T POSSIBLY KNOW if he’s also a liar based on the supposition (which may very well be false) that he’s a racist! The problem is, minorities want SO BAD to be able to determine who’s racist and who’s not, they’ll go to ANY asinine extreme to give themselves the benefit of the doubt, NO MATTER WHAT…even if it means that the innocent shall suffer (as long as the innocent is white, that is).
Finally (not directed at you this time, Lisa), about the Native Americans having had their land “stolen” from them by whites…whites did to the Native Americans what their own various tribes had been doing to each other thousands of years (fighting with each other, taking one another’s land, etc.). Why was it suddenly a bad thing when whites came over here and did it? What, just because we had superior weapons and whatnot, it was “wrong” of us to come over here and win land in battle? Isn’t that the whole point of wars…for one side to come up with better weapons and/or tactics, and try to win based upon that? Why did the Atlantic Ocean make a difference?
You know what I think? I think that people who bitch about whites having “stolen” land from the Native Americans are racist against whites, since those same people don’t also bitch about Native Americans having “stolen” land from other Native Americans before whites ever got here.
Put that in your peace-pipe and smoke it…
July 10th, 2006 at 12:44 am
Get over it… Black man have been treated bad in the EU in the past but thats it, it was in the past. Although black people are still threated the same in the US clearly there are some black sucessful people that are treated better. What i’m saying is that it’s in everyones head(brain). For example beacose US black people are treated bad some US people will react as racist AD, while thats not the case at all. By my judgement the AD clearly only shows the difrence between black and white PSP’s and nothing more!
So people need to sto with this stupidity and get a life!
July 10th, 2006 at 1:06 am
well i can see why some might see it as racist and i can also see it why some don’t, but really it is a perception you conjure in your irrational brain and day to day thinking that may cause it. i am firmly against racism always have been, but i don’t see this as something to fuss about, what happens if we flipped the script on white over black, and had a gorgeous black woman to market a sleek shiny metallic product, i wont complain at all and i do not see it as racism, the world is full of colours cultures and religions. Be at peace with yourself so you see things a little more clearly!
July 10th, 2006 at 2:32 am
uh… i agree with several of the previous posts, this is bullshit, no one would say anything if it was the black woman strangling the white woman. its completely retarded. everyone is just looking for a lawsuit these days and the black community have found one that seems in their favor. they just need to get over the creativity of the ad and realize that it was not directed towards them in a racist manner. so yeah, get over it.
July 10th, 2006 at 5:48 am
I want to thank Crying Wolf and others for confirming that racism is still alive and well. Without these occasional glimpses into their distorted minds one might be tricked into believing racism doesn’t exist. Fortunately, my research and experience keeps me well in the know. I consider myself a firm believer in free speech and cherish everyone’s right to an opinion. However, I take issue when racists like Crying Wolf regurgitate the same old hegemonic rhetoric that was first concocted by European colonizers centuries ago. Clearly this type of nonsense has perpetuated generations of racists and has attempted to justify their horrific imprint on human history such as: 1) the complete and total annihilation of indigenous populations throughout the world via disease and out right massacre; 2) the capture, enslavement, torture, rape and debasement of millions of African children, women and men; 3) the exploitation and racketeering of the planet’s natural resources. European colonizers executed these atrocities in the name of their religions, kingdoms and their astonishing self-ascribed sense of superiority which has entitled them to do, think, and say whatever they wanted, to whomever they pleased, whenever they wanted as often as they desired.
Fast forward to 2006 we find a group of Sony advertising executives who have cooked up a new ad campaign that capitalizes on an age old ideology that white is superior to black. The ad presents a European-looking, platinum blond, white women who appears to be asserting a position of superiority over another model, who happens to be an unglamorous, “slave-looking
July 10th, 2006 at 6:07 am
Lisa Says:
July 9th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
Again, I’m so glad that racism is finally over! I’ve told all my friends!
Cry Wolf says:
“Umm, Stephen, you do realize that so-called “normal look
July 10th, 2006 at 6:27 am
To this ad and most of the posts about it here:
yawn.
July 10th, 2006 at 9:11 am
The opinion behind this article is idiotic and should never be repeated. There is nothing wrong with this ad and anyone who belives to the contrary is either overly sensitive, or a moron.
July 10th, 2006 at 9:20 am
Polyglot!!! Applause!!!! That is all that ever needed to be said, and probably the longest lesson on world history some of these people have ever known.
Unfortunately it’s like talking to a wall. For example in response to your very informed entry, CW says: yawn. See, like talking to a wall. The kind of people that think Fox News is ….news. Well, maybe someone out there learned something though.
July 10th, 2006 at 11:11 am
wow, cry wolf needs to get a life.
to the people who think this ad is racist then I suggest don’t fuel the fire and bitch about the ad just ignore it, as easy as that.
last time I notice there are more important things happening in the world to bitch and moan about than a stupid Sony Ad.
July 10th, 2006 at 11:49 am
You’re right BG. Cry Wolf man tell us what you think about Darfur and Iraq. You’re my hero!
July 10th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
Thanks for having my back Lisa. It is refreshing to dialogue with an enlightened individual who understands the importance of history and the role it has played in the development of everyone’s cultural, ethnic, racial and national identity. Intelligent people tend to utilize the lessons of the past to inform the decisions they make today. In light of this controversy, Sony’s number one goal should be to employ a more diverse group of marketers who can devise innovative ad campaigns without blatantly offending large groups of potential customers.
Some of you have labeled those of us who recogize the racial undertones of the ad as being overly “sensitive”. When did “sensitivity’ become a bad thing? In fact each of needs to work harder to achieve a higher level of cultural sensitivity, especially if we expect to fully participate in the greater global community. Clearly, education, experience, access, exposure, and compassion are the cornerstones of cultural sensitivity. If you’re still living in a cave, well, you must be inept in this arena and unfortunately spend much of your time “yawning
July 10th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Polyglot Says:
I want to thank Crying Wolf and others for confirming that racism is still alive and well. Without these occasional glimpses into their distorted minds one might be tricked into believing racism doesn’t exist. Fortunately, my research and experience keeps me well in the know. I consider myself a firm believer in free speech and cherish everyone’s right to an opinion. However, I take issue when racists like Crying Wolf regurgitate the same old hegemonic rhetoric that was first concocted by European colonizers centuries ago. Clearly this type of nonsense has perpetuated generations of racists and has attempted to justify their horrific imprint on human history such as: 1) the complete and total annihilation of indigenous populations throughout the world via disease and out right massacre; 2) the capture, enslavement, torture, rape and debasement of millions of African children, women and men; 3) the exploitation and racketeering of the planet’s natural resources. European colonizers executed these atrocities in the name of their religions, kingdoms and their astonishing self-ascribed sense of superiority which has entitled them to do, think, and say whatever they wanted, to whomever they pleased, whenever they wanted as often as they desired.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You all (crying wolf, paul, BG) have a lot to learn from POLYGLOT. READ, LEARN, BECOME ENLIGHTENED!!!!!