More Problems For Sony’s PSP Ad
DigitalBattle were the first to display and criticize Sony’s Dutch PSP ad here, the story quickly spread a number of news sources including GameSpot and TheGuardian. Sony was quick to respond by removing the ads from the website, but still justified the ads as “clever marketing”. We also questioned why Sony didn’t run the ad in countries with a greater black community, such as the UK.
Now US civil rights group NAACP has criticized the ads as well, saying;
“The latest Sony ad conjures up bad memories of when stereotypical and offensive images of people of color were accepted means of selling a product. Sony should immediately apologize and discontinue these archaic advertising tactics.”
It is clear (from reading many of the comments people posted on DigitalBattle), that the ad is offensive, something the NAACP president Rick Callender agrees on:
“I can’t begin to determine Sony’s motivation but I believe this marketing strategy is unnecessary and is clearly offensive to many in our community.”
You can find out original post here.
July 7th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
The billboard is still on the same place (photo taking an hour ago):
Link to image
July 8th, 2006 at 10:02 am
First of all, I am ALL for equality amongst all races and genders, etc.. But what never seems to be mentioned is how it is socially acceptable to say or do things against white men in our society. Everyone is off limits to such things except caucasian people. White women at least have the protection of being female. All other races have their ethnicity. When John Rocker of MLB publicly stated his feelings, he was chastised. When Charles Barkley of the NBA stated his opinions about white people, he was praised. How equal is that? This all going on and people making a big fuss over it when anyone other than whites are supposedly insulted. I could care less about others opinions on such things. What is more important to me is that we are all allowed our given rights to free speech. If we take that away then we start to become communist. What next? Thought police? We all need to see the bigger picture here.
July 8th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
I think the problem is that here in holland the difference between black and white are different then in the US. I think it’s because the different history
July 8th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
The problem is not with the ad. The problem is that people are offended by the ad.
I think the ad’s quite good, and by no means offensive. And, as stated before, there are two other pictures, showing black being the agressor, and both leveling off, clearly showing a lack of racial undertones, and focusing on colors of plastic!
Ironicaly, people saying that anything white dominating anything black is offensive, is showing a clear racial preference. It’s 2006 people, they are just colors now, get over it already.
July 8th, 2006 at 11:59 pm
Although its 2006, and im glad some see it as old news with the black and white thing if only everyone could be like that the world would be a better place. The thing is with this is it will only cause trouble in the long run because there will be always people out there offended by this and there will be always people that thrive off it. and thats just the way it is, so in the first place things like this shouldnt be created. Unless its an advert of unity like Benetton.
July 9th, 2006 at 1:18 am
Obviously anyone not offended by this campaign is not black. Here in America racism is still very much alive in some States. So it doesn’t matter what year it is. Blacks will never get over racism because it still exist. Blacks are being treated unfairly on a scale unconceivable by other nationalities. Take for example, the holocaust. I empathize with holocaust victims, however, why is the united states giving the victims money when it happened in a different country. What about the 40 acres and a mule that every black person was promised for slavery. Which we never got. If euphemisms and puns are not indigenous to its audience, then one should expect criticism. I believe in freedom of speech as well as any other citizen but a belief in something does not justify its inappropriate use. Sony has the right to do whatever their money will buy. However, they shouldn’t expect people to agree with their actions especially in this instance. I don’t think this will hurt them at all. I for one still plan to continue purchasing from them. My point is clear, it is never safe to invoke racial connotation. It will be subjected to condemnation, even in just. And the reason it’s safe or acceptable to say or do things that way “Scott” is because the white man is viewed as the oppressor. White men never endured being mistreated for his skin color or made to feel inferior. Walk a mile in someone’s shoes before you past judgement. By the way Charles Barkley is view the way he is because he married a white woman. That’s why no one sees him as a racist. He also happens to be from Alabama. Where the KKK still march the streets and kill blacks and burn crosses. I should know I grew up there.
July 9th, 2006 at 5:40 am
There is something that I have noticed a lot. And that is: There are more complaints about ads and other things being rascist against black people from white people. So, if it is that rascit against back people, why are there more complaints from whites?
July 9th, 2006 at 7:52 am
The reason that it is acceptable to express negative comments toward white men is that they hold nearly all of the power in the world, and so cannot really be hurt by such expressions. On the other hand, expressions of negativity toward other groups (those of Jewish, African, and other historically discriminated against groups) have resulted in serious harm (read Holocaust, slavery, job discrimination, etc.)
Regarding why there are more complaints from whites: if you are referring to the posters on the various comment forums, how do you know the color of the posters? From their names? Even if it is as you say, surely you’ve heard the poem frequently attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller that begins with “First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew” and ends with “Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me”. If you won’t speak out because it is unjust, at least speak out because it is ultimately in your own self-interest.
July 9th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
I doubt that there’s more “white people” complaining about racist ads against “black people”. I think the more likely situation is that:
A) if you are black, you are raised in the midst of racism; you expect it.
B) it’s just more published when the “white community” is outraged; it makes better news. If you see someone who is black distraught by racism it just seems expected, not really newsworthy.
Just something to point out; even in this thread people have been described as “white people” and “black people”; which proves we’re still segregated in the minds of many, even if we don’t realize we’re doing it. When someone has blond hair you say, “He/she has blond hair.” You don’t say, “He/She’s a blond person.”
July 9th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
Ah, again remember it’s all about power. He who controls the news controls the views. I think that sony is now owned by the Japanese; who had a long history of being somewhat (highly) xenophobic. Some Japanese of a certain age (Those who grew up during WWII) group dislike; maybe even a fear of Blacks, speak with any black who has had the privilege to travel to Japan and they can probably relate a tale or two of dealing with the natives.
July 9th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Whites have privileges. It is one that is not overtly promoted but exercised by the system (governmental policies, institutional guidelines, business preferences). So that is why a black person speaking out against whites gets praised while a white man does not. B/c of this wealth of privilege that has been accumulated over the years in addition to the stigma of color creating a huge deficit in the racial differences of power. So for an ad conveying a white to take hold over the ability for a black to speak is delibertizing 100 years of effort to create a more egalitarian society in an American mindset. Although this might be limited to Americans, Sony is an international company and for them to do this I think is unwise. And if the commercial was the other way black holding white, I would think its tasteless Black propaganda. So there you have it.
July 9th, 2006 at 11:34 pm
Ok, personally i have no problem with the ad. if there was no slogan, then mayeb i can understand everyone drawing their own conclusions to what is really taking place, but with the slogan it is as clear as day as to what message sony is trying to get a cross.
now i read the past posts on this topic, and 4mulad’s comments make me shake my head. when will people…ALL people let the past go. it was wrong, uncalled and unfortunate. but i feel that bringing it up and constantly “feeling the pain” of ancestors slavery issues and using it to pull the race card is just as wrong. your right, “scott” should walk a mile in their shoes, i should and everyone else should but you know what…you should as well. i highly doubt that if anyone would be alive from the 1800’s would be on the internet today to help me and everyone else understand how bad it was then.
in a realistic, and you would take this offensivley probably , even though it is not intended that way, the indidviuals themselves that are black would not be here today if those unfortunate things did not happen….not saying they dont have the means to get here now, by saying though lets say mary higgins, black female of today wouldnt be here b/c her great great whatever never met their signifcant other b/c he/she would have met them here during / after the 1800’s.
i cant stand everyone getting offensive about every little thing in the US. you cant say this you cant do that someONE might find it offensive….well, i say that someONE should turn their head and take themselves out of the situation.
Something is only offensive if YOU let it become offensive and can’t let go of the past. Racisim is NOT what it used to be, and is not as cut and dry as it can be seen in the past…these days it is very diufficult to see the difference between racist and an asshole since a racist can not be as vocal about it.
listen there are millions of whites, millions of blacks millions of jews, millions of a lot of people…..doesnt mean that everyone is going to be a great person, going to be nice or the other way around…not everyone is an ass.
i am tired of poor me my this i dont get this that the other thing. i can honestly say, the only people i have ever met personaly that have NEVER been offened have been rednecks….maybe they are on to something
July 10th, 2006 at 1:01 am
…
“Squirrel, please.”
July 10th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Here come the “Uncle Tom” comments.
I’m a 21 year old black male, and I don’t have an issue with the ads. Yes there are still plenty of racist people around, yes in my experience it is more of a challenge being a young black male (I have a lot of white friends with similiar or less employment/ education experience than my black ones and don’t even interview as well yet have far better jobs). Untill I see an ad that makes it clear that one race is superior to another I’m not going to stop using my PSP or any other Sony products, especially not because of an ad that was used by a different branch of Sony in a country other than this one. I don’t know what the racial atmosphere is like there, but I can’t assume that it is the same as it is here. The ads went both ways with each woman being dominant and dominated in different ones as well as when they seemed equal.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:56 am
Poor materazzi! He found out that racism is BADDDDDD!
Good for Zinedine Zidane! Z checked that racist. Did you see him on the pitch in pain. LOL!! Now THATS soccer!
July 11th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
I just can’t believe the narrow-minded and petty riposte that has evolved from what really is a lousy ad. Are we truely that Politically Correct that even this type of ad could create such a fuss?? So we can accept seeing companies use crass (and often near-pornographic) imagery to sell there products (inuendos which are equally at play in this ad – but no complaint on that to be heard I might ad!), but this ad’s unacceptable because certain narrow-minded ppl claimit is rascist??? As much this is not a vey well conceptualized advertisement, I’d hardly call it rascist.
And as for the U.S. now jumping on the band-wagon, please….as if that nation has ANY right to tread in such waters! Aren’t they the first to claim the right to be ignorant and down-right oppinionated
July 12th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
I will say that, thanks to this ad and to the original blog about it here, I’ve learned quite a bit about the disturbing minority mindset in regard to racism.
In the past several days, I’ve discovered that 1)simply disagreeing with a minority or minority sympathizer about what is or isn’t “racist” constitutes “racism”, 2)the typical minority point of view on “racism” is apparently so weak that it can’t withstand debate, as completely benign and logical comments/questions pertaining to such issues are quickly responded to NOT with benign and logical answers, but INSTEAD with name-calling and, once again, accusations of “racism”, 3)I’m apparently incapable of determining the nature of the feelings/thoughts going through MY OWN mind, as it should be left ONLY to a minority or minority sympathizer to somehow telepathically establish whether or not I’m a “racist”.
You know, while there ARE legitimate concerns that one should have about an ad like this (and I truly applaud EVERYONE who has gone about commenting on this issue like a thinking adult instead of a tantrum-throwing three year-old), it’s all part of a bigger picture that needs to be considered before everyone goes off the deep end about it. DON’T be fooled, people…there are folks nowadays who are JUST AS BAD (though on the opposite end of the spectrum) as those in years past whose primary objective was to hold minorities down.
I’ll tell you right now, if looking at an issue objectively before formulating an opinion and NOT allowing an outside party to dictate without question what is/isn’t “racist” and giving EVERYONE–REGARDLESS of race–an equal voice about the issues that affect our society…if these qualities are truly considered “racist”, then call me a “racist” all you want. It’s hardly the scary accusation that many idiots would like it to be, anyway…
July 12th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Jaycee said:
“The reason that it is acceptable to express negative comments toward white men is that they hold nearly all of the power in the world, and so cannot really be hurt by such expressions.”
So, since a group of people hold “…all of the power in the world…” (which is inaccurate), it’s acceptable to express negative comments toward them…but NOT toward people of other races? THIS is the kind of thinking that gets people going down the wrong path and almost ALWAYS leads to trouble in the long run. YOU say this, Jaycee, and I’m sure that whites long ago could give you every reason under the sun why it was okay to trample the hell out of the rights of minorities.
Anyway, how about this: it’s acceptable to express negative comments about people of ANY race if those people are doing/saying something fucked up. I wouldn’t expect whites to get a pass for ignorant behavior any more than I’d expect those of other races to get one, so we need to cut the double-standard bullshit before it gets even more out-of-hand.
July 12th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
I don’t even own a PSP but when i saw this comment i was like, ‘oh enuff is enuff!’
” I’ve discovered that 1)simply disagreeing with a minority or minority sympathizer about what is or isn’t “racist
July 12th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
StMadnes:
1) Learn how to spell before you question other people’s intelligence. Two different tests (which I’m sure you’ll dispute since they don’t concur with your agenda) have placed my IQ at about 130…a score that’s well-above the minority and/or majority average.
2) I have to say, I LOVE the way that minorities and their sympathizers shoot themselves in the foot on a regular basis, as they don’t make even the SLIGHTEST effort to sound like educated adults when they debate an issue (your response to my post is nothing more than the equivalent of a little kid calling someone a “dummy” on the playground).
3) Since everything in my initial post happened EXACTLY as I described it, I fail to understand what your problem is. I mean, I was called a “racist” SOLELY because I said that I didn’t find the PSP ad campaign in question racist, my points of view were met NOT with educated debate (or anything else even remotely resembling educated debate), but instead with childish name-calling and unbased accusations of “racism”, and (the one that takes the cake) I was ACTUALLY told that minorities are the ONLY ones who should be able to determine what is or isn’t racist! In other words, if I were to perform some completely innocent action with racism being as far from my mind as it could possibly be, some super-sensitive minority jackass who gets offended when people look at him/her crooked should be able to come up to me and inform me that I have racist intentions/thoughts going through my head.
4) Yes, I’m sure that I do know more about my PSP than I do about people of other ethnic groups (unless we’re talking about the Japanese here, but I have a sneaky suspicion that you’re not). Since people of other ethnic groups who probably know more about rap music and crack cocaine than they know about Caucasians don’t seem to have a problem voicing their opinions about us, however, isn’t it fair of me to offer them the same courtesy…that is, unless you think that members of MY racial group should have fewer privileges than members of others. That would be racist, though…
July 12th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
When you say shiz like ‘minorities and thier sympathizers’ and imply that all minorities are uneducated, are thugs, and like crack thats when u get racist. I agree w/ u that a lot out there thats said to be racist is certainly not, but I think that you are… and highly so. Racism still exists in this country and opportunities are not equal despite what you may think. Also something u might not know:
White people are 10x more likely to become addicted to coke than blacks.
July 13th, 2006 at 2:01 am
Yeaaa said:
“When you say shiz like ‘minorities and thier sympathizers’ and imply that all minorities are uneducated, are thugs, and like crack thats when u get racist. I agree w/ u that a lot out there thats said to be racist is certainly not, but I think that you are… and highly so. Racism still exists in this country and opportunities are not equal despite what you may think.”
Damn…I NEVER heard of ANYONE reading so much bullshit into something in my whole freakin’ life! I still enjoyed your comments, however…with someone of your “eloquence” being so sure that I’m racist, I’m more certain than ever that I’m not.
“Also something u might not know:
White people are 10x more likely to become addicted to coke than blacks.”
If you say so…I really don’t know. Though I’d like to see some hard data on that before I accept it as gospel, I, unlike members of certain other racial groups, am willing to entertain the possibility that my racial group isn’t perfect…and that our common shortcomings aren’t always someone else’s fault.
July 13th, 2006 at 9:18 am
wow, you people are sad. The ad has nothing to do with racism. If thats what you perceive i feel sorry for you.
Racism is about HATE.
Black vs white != racism
There nothing wrong with standing by your race
July 13th, 2006 at 9:27 am
I dont even believe people are truley offended by this. I think these bloggers just need some attention. Something to write about.
The upcoming generation knows better. We grew up in the diverse envoirnments of today, unlike these older people.
This is the meaning of racism to most older people today:
“any interaction between two races that isnt respectful and friendly is racism.”
July 13th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Cry wolf said:
1) Learn how to spell before you question other people’s intelligence. Two different tests (which I’m sure you’ll dispute since they don’t concur with your agenda) have placed my IQ at about 130…a score that’s well-above the minority and/or majority average.
ok nobody cares what your iq score was considering that it cant be verified. People called you a racist because of the generalizations you made. Like “Yes, I’m sure that I do know more about my PSP than I do about people of other ethnic groups (unless we’re talking about the Japanese here, but I have a sneaky suspicion that you’re not). Since people of other ethnic groups who probably know more about rap music and crack cocaine than they know about Caucasians don’t seem to have a problem voicing their opinions about us, however, isn’t it fair of me to offer them the same courtesy” At first you were making good points about double standards but now your anger has brought out the ignorance. Comments about minorities knowing more about crack cocaine ARE out of line. IT is clear that you have a very “us and them” mentality regarding minorities. Look i agree when Mike tyson says “white devils” and isnt killed by hordes of raging liberals its unfair because if a white athlete said black devils he’d be banned from his sport. But shouting generalizations about other ethnicities is ignorant and divisive. But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say maybe you’re just outraged by some of the racist comments people have made about whites being oppressors, and justifiably so, considering that you’re not to blame for something that happened centuries ago. That said, african-americans have been opressed in this Aerica and because they never obtained reparations or decent education until 60 years ago they are, as a group, behind and they will not catch up for a long time but with time they will. It’s understandable that they would dislike the poster but thats until they read the caption and look at the other psp ads where the black individual is the agressor. So the ad is not offensive when you really look at it. Just don’t say things about minorities and crack because you’re being ignorant.
July 14th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Damn those marketing people at Sony are so ingenious!
ewww, sounds like I may have struck a nerve there, Wolf. Good. Cuz all i did was set you up to expose yourself as the bigot and poorly informed individual that you led us to believe you are.
“Since people of other ethnic groups who probably know more about rap music and crack cocaine than they know about Caucasians don’t seem to have a problem voicing their opinions about us..”
Man! They’ve got some nerve calling you a racist! lol.
“Two different tests (which I’m sure you’ll dispute since they don’t concur with your agenda) have placed my IQ at about 130…a score that’s well-above the minority and/or majority average.”
Who told you that? Your mommy? Did she tell you that you’re special too? LMAO. Hey, with that IQ you’re sure to work your way out of the trailer park. You’re so smart that it took little effort to expose how you really feel about minorities:
“minorities and their sympathizers shoot themselves in the foot on a regular basis, as they don’t make even the SLIGHTEST effort to sound like educated adults..”
You mean to tell me that’s not a racist comment? Stop sounding so angry, Whitey. This is just an exchange of diologue ok. There’s nothing for you to conquer here so chill out!!
“your response to my post is nothing more than the equivalent of a little kid calling someone a “dummy
July 14th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
By the way.. these blogs are so much fun. I love to see how you people get all worked up over these comments. But.. at least we’
re in discussion. I’ll give Sony that much credit. You know what.. fuggit. I’m buying a PSP tomorrow! LOL..
July 14th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
The ad is just like a joke a that bombed for a stand up comic. Its not mean spirited, its just inappropriate and unfunny. The ad is terrible because you dont use a persons skin color to sell a product, unless its a lotion product or suntan lotion. Otherwise it’s just wrong. Its not about who’s beating who, it’s just the whole concept is trash.
It’s not overtly racist maybe, but its like Sony made a fruedian slip and the ad acts as a rorschach test for the public. The worst part about the ad is it doesn’t tell newcomers what a PSP is, so all the see is a white woman beating on a black woman. For all they know a PSP is a new right wing hate group. Ads are supposed to attract new customers not tick off old ones.
Oh its easy to say”its just rascim get over it.” When your not the victim of racism. Its not fun getting pulled over and searched and harrassed by the cops every night you drive home from a party. But your just a bunch of video game playing potheads, so no one should expect any intelligent statements from you.
And to all the retards who say get over racism , why dont you get over the O.J. Verdict. After O.J. getting off white people will deny racism exist to their death.
The NAACP did the right thing if your an upset rednneck who cant handle that go f— yourself.
July 15th, 2006 at 7:28 am
intelligent debate (ha ha) said:
“ok nobody cares what your iq score was considering that it cant be verified.”
But my alleged “ignorance” CAN be verified…is that it? Someone must care at least a little bit about my IQ score if they’re going to make such implications.
“At first you were making good points about double standards but now your anger has brought out the ignorance.”
Where is this “anger” that minorities are always talking about? Is that what you’re trained to automatically think whenever someone says something that you don’t want to hear? Disgust, maybe…anger, no.
“Comments about minorities knowing more about crack cocaine ARE out of line.”
Comments about me knowing more or less about ANYTHING are out of line coming from a stranger, but that doesn’t seem to bother you.
“IT is clear that you have a very “us and them
July 15th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Am I the only one who has noticed the nice setting of it all, the power of the photographs? The position of the models clearly shows that it’s the white model it’s advertising, yet there’s still power in the black. Quite nicely done. They have been able to show a clear contrast between the black and white. (with the black background and everything, the white model standing a bit more in front)
That said, I can see how it might offend some people. However, if anything, it should offend “white people”. The white model show anger, which is something I personally wouldn’t like being associated with.
But then if you see the other two pictures associated with the campaign, it doesn’t seem as bad. In any case, no matter what, there will always be a difference. Just as I can walk down the street and think “Oh that girl is blonde, and that girl is a brunette”, I’ll never be able to not notice the skin colour of someone. It’s the way we treat eachother, on a personal level that matters.
Yes, slavery was wrong – but there were also white slaves once. I am pretty sure that most people would never dream of making a hate crime, and many people don’t think “oh, that guy is black, he must be stupid”. However, other parts of peoples appearance DOES mean something to most people – their clothes, and such. As well as the way people speak. And that’s just how it is.
There will always be idiots who will judge you. That doesn’t mean the whole world will.
Racism IS a real problem today, but let’s not cry wolf at everything (as in the saying, not the poster here). It’s an advertisement campaign. BOTH models agreed to making it. Unless the black model was forced into this with a wip, let’s not over-react.
July 15th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
Ekima said:
“I can see how it might offend some people. However, if anything, it should offend “white people
July 24th, 2006 at 11:09 pm
I’m black and I’ll say that I think the NAACP needs to be abolished on the grounds that they haven’t got a clue what racism is anymore. It’s the NAACP’s objection to the ad implies that there’s something wrong with being black… not the ad itself. There is nothing wrong with contrasting the difference in skin color between two people. Also the intent is to sell PSPs not to say one race is better than the other. Personally, I think it’s a sexy ad campaign.
July 29th, 2006 at 9:06 pm
The fact of the matter, Frank, is that when you compare the differences in skin color between people and show favoritism toward one group over the other you’ve opened the door to a world of contempt. Disagree? Just read above.
“Also the intent is to sell PSPs not to say one race is better than the other.. Personally, I think it’s a sexy ad campaign.”
Sorry, but that sounds like some dumb shyt Wolf would say!
July 29th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
This message is for Matt Stoned,
the comments section of the article, ‘Racist White PSP Ad’ was what i thought to be a heavily enlightening exchange of diologue. And while i didn’t agree with the opinions of many, this forum appeared to be a great opportunity for people to say what they felt without the threat of being physically harmed or hosed down for that matter. Many of the bloggers made some very interesting points in regards to racism and prejudice. And then you had those who just clearly suffered from a gross lack of education. ie, those bragging of their IQ scores. For the most part, i really enjoyed reading most of the comments. However, i think it was a big mistake to close that comments section. It attracted a very diverse audience of cyber heads who obviously had concerns about the PSP ad, which had so many people fuming.
Granted, some discussions may never come to a close that all can agree with. But AGREEING TO DISCUSS it is definately a positive step toward the direction of understanding one another. I think that was very inconsiderate of you to close the comments section of that page so abruptly- especially in light of how eager people were to express so much.
October 4th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
The PSP advert is not racist. This is not the only picture. There is another picture where the black woman is shown being aggresive and one where they are even. So instead of whinig about how this ad is racist, take some time to think why it isn’t.
October 4th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
… Why did someone bring this up after 3 months?
October 4th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
hey Petar.. like where the hell were you about 5 freakin months ago???!!
October 10th, 2006 at 1:38 am
i’m aware the thread is dead but damn.. you guys are slow as hell. you guy are reading to much into this i mean come on. yeah racism exists but only because every body is forced to play the politicly correct sheep every time they leave there home. if everbody was able to say what they actually thought not only would your children have thicker skin but they would be smarter for it. when i was little if i wanted to get any hint of truth or blunt fact i would have to read inbtween the lines of what my first grade teacher called a “friendly” meeting with the indians. since you guys work so hard trying to make eveybody nice and happy those same happy people get pissed when they see reality and not watered down PC history. the point is unless you expect every child to hunger for the inner thruths of every thing you should be as blunt as possible when it comes to race relations and we all would have a much more intteligent conversation as adults when it comes to this stuff.
sincerly the mildly racist white guy
my grammar aint great and im not hte smartest guy here but just the same don’t belittle me about it if you decide to respond to a dead thread.
November 6th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Sandisk is now doing the same thing with their controversial ad campaign “iSheep” for their new line of MP3 Player. The idea is to get peoples attention to go out and buy a product of same function as the one you currently own. But Sony is definitely pushing it with this ad.
December 13th, 2006 at 8:30 am
Can’t we jsut realise that noone chooses their dermatological make up. First of all, I’m part African-American part Caucasian. I see that media as taking a piece of American history and depicting it for their ad. BIG DEAL!!!! GET OVER IT!!!!! There are worse things to worry about. Move oooon. Grow up.
December 13th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
Seeing this thread will probably get more revived by VGcats anyway I’ll take the chance to post my opinion too.
Like pointed out the whole point with the ad being found racist is controversial. I don’t see a problem with their ads, then only after comments it only occurred to me some people might have a problem with it.
It’s not a racist ad, people thinking it’s a racist ad are being racist. If you look at it objectively it makes perfect sense with the tag lines. But if you look at with your biased view then you might think it’s racist. The problem is you make the ad a problem.
I think this was (for Holland anyway, where racism isn’t that strong apparantly) one of the better ads from Sony.
A not so racist guy from Holland.
December 13th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
My 2 cents.
Racism is hatred bred from disliking a persons Skin color or nationality. His RACE
If two men of different races fight because one slept with the other’s wife, its not racism, its anger.
If the same two men fough because one disliked the others race, its RACISM
This ad shows two people engaged in combat each representing the color of a psp. Until the reason for the combat is known there is no racial tension that even comes close to the statment made by this billboard, plain and simple.
The real issue here is the PREJUDICE (There is a difference between prejudice and racism look it up before you flame me.) coming from those who fight the billboard. It’s a sad world in which we can make legal and public against against people for comments that the attackers invented with their own subconscious.
When looked at with a clear head this is just an attack on freedom as we know it.
Also for everyone commenting who feels it’s ok for a minority to make disparaging comments against a non minority. The reason racism is such a heinous form of hatred is because it attacks EQUALITY. When a person seeks double standards or better treatment than the status quo they will only either further their already existing gap of human equality, by clarifying the lines that separate minorities from those who aren’t. Worse yet if they suceed in getting better treatment they could then become the evil racist power they strove to topple.
Are minorities equal to those who aren’t? No, and its horrible. Will a minority be able to achieve equality by hating those who are different and expecting it to be acceptable. Never. No one should generalize anyone regardless of race, creed, religion, sex, or sexual preference.
We’re all humans here. Sorry I rambled on a bit there, had to get that off my chest.
December 25th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
it is stupid to get offended by that. if they see it and think that it is racist, then thay are racist themselves. someone who isn’t racist would see two people, but you guys who are offended see a “black guy” and a “white chick”. hypocrits.
December 26th, 2006 at 8:02 am
I think the picture is actually quite nice. The models are photographed well, and sony gets their point across. But when I first looked at it I was a bit shocked. It just sort of gave off that “racism vibe” I know sony never intended that, but it still is pretty obvious if you take it that way.
I’m not really offended by it, I’ll still buy a PSP. But I understand how some people can be offended by it, because racism towards blacks is a pretty sensitive subject for certain people. Let’s say the white girl was a nazi…and the black girl was a jew. You can understand how people would be offended right? Because that subject is offending to them. It’s not that there are racist themeselves, it’s just that they might experience it alot and are tired of it. If its offending to you, then its offending to you. Some people can’t just shrug it off.
The people are telling everyome its “stupid to be offended by it” or “why is everyone offended by it” need to sort of put themselves in the shoes of the ones who are offended. You think they might be offended because “the white girl is overpowering the black girl” but it might be deeper for them. Try to understand their point of view.
The ones that can look at that picture and just see “two people” instead of “black and white” are very insightful. We need more people like that in this world.
If I were Sony, I would apologize to the ones that were offended, but I wouldn’t take the ad down.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Sony should’ve known better. As far as white people, they have been racist so long they think it’s normal to act like they do. They don’t know any better and change is still a world away.