Sony gets racist? White is coming.

HUGECOOL · 06-07-2006, 10:34 AM

While I'm almost sure the ad didn't have any ill intentions, this ad has caused some eyebrow raises throughout the internet and Holland, where the ad can be found.

As one can see above, the ad depicts a "white PSP" avatar/model violently holding the mouth of a "black PSP" avatar/model -- in commemoration of the launch of the ceramic white PSP, of course.

Oh, and the girl in white has a nice body.

~~SHEEPY_luvs_u~~ · 06-07-2006, 11:18 AM

It’s strange. I think it’s an advert that will often be interpreted as being very racist, but only because there is such a fear of racism. These days most people I know, including myself, really struggle to know what to say when describing somebody who is black. I never know if it’s okay to say "Oh yeah, do you remember that black guy from the movie last night?" Should I be saying something descriptive that doesn’t make use of such an easy to identify difference? We’re so desperate not to be racist that we suddenly turn non-racist things into something that we interpret as being racist.

Anyway, back to the advert, if it was say an advert for ginger biscuits, with two women, one with blond hair, one with ginger and the one with ginger was doing what is in the advert with the slogan "ginger’s coming" (terrible example I know, but it was the best I could come up with) then nobody would complain about a division in hair colour. With race though, despite the fact that the advert isn’t racist and doesn’t intend to be, we’re so afraid of doing something that might be racist, many will no doubt take it the wrong way.

Is that anywhere near the truth, or have I interpreted it all wrong?

Honesty · 06-07-2006, 11:21 AM

Its only advertising that the white coloured psp is releasing, even though its already out here :s.

J1MI · 06-07-2006, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by SHEEPY_luvs_u

It’s strange. I think it’s an advert that will often be interpreted as being very racist, but only because there is such a fear of racism. These days most people I know, including myself, really struggle to know what to say when describing somebody who is black. I never know if it’s okay to say "Oh yeah, do you remember that black guy from the movie last night?" Should I be saying something descriptive that doesn’t make use of such an easy to identify difference? We’re so desperate not to be racist that we suddenly turn non-racist things into something that we interpret as being racist.

Anyway, back to the advert, if it was say an advert for ginger biscuits, with two women, one with blond hair, one with ginger and the one with ginger was doing what is in the advert with the slogan "ginger’s coming" (terrible example I know, but it was the best I could come up with) then nobody would complain about a division in hair colour. With race though, despite the fact that the advert isn’t racist and doesn’t intend to be, we’re so afraid of doing something that might be racist, many will no doubt take it the wrong way.

Is that anywhere near the truth, or have I interpreted it all wrong?

I agree with parts of your post, but it doesnt take a genious to see that that image is highly offensive, Showing the white woman grabbing the black woman by the face in one hand, in a dominant way, its just really unneccassary. Sony usualy make tasteful adverts, i think the guy who approves adverts must be on holiday or summit.

**FlyingJesus** · 06-07-2006, 03:57 PM

I think it's a good advert, it's powerful and uses the contrast of black/white to advertise the product. If there's any reference to white being "better" than black, it's simply because Sony want people to buy the new white PSP.

I'd like to see Sheepy's advert on the market please. I'd certainly buy more ginger biscuits.

Mentor · 06-07-2006, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by J1mi

I agree with parts of your post, but it doesnt take a genious to see that that image is highly offensive, Showing the white woman grabbing the black woman by the face in one hand, in a dominant way, its just really unneccassary. Sony usualy make tasteful adverts, i think the guy who approves adverts must be on holiday or summit.

No a genius wouldn't be stupid enough to miss read it as such... The whole PC thing is out of hand and pretty much has caused a mentalty where anything that can even be remotely conseaved as having such relation to the matter is instantly targeted.

The postures are not violent in any way?
The advert is all about contrast, it makes use of both gender, clothing, positioing, screen space, pose and colour...
yet only one is picked out and then made out as if its trying to be raciest?