Australian KFC ad... what do you think? (YouTube)

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

They play up to a derogatory stereotype that black "savages" can easily be tamed with the right kinds of foods.

I bet you're the only one that thinks of it that way.

[Ali G. 37]

1. Um everyone is dancing and smiling, in a stadium.

2. The ad shows an Aussie being in one of the host nations during a cricket tournament.

3. It refers to taking the crowds focus off rooting for their team, to sharing food.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

All the black people are being loud and rowdy, in a stadium. A negative situation from the lone White guy's POV.

The lone White guy tames the rowdy blacks with fried chicken because we all know that's how to get them to stop being loud and rowdy, turning it into a positive situation for the White guy.

Using fried chicken or waermelon to pacify black people is an old stereotype.

.....

...stereotypes of people of African descent from the end of the American Civil War in images of blacks with themes of chicken and watermelon. Analysis of a large collection of artifacts with racist African American imagery reveals several common themes. One is the linking of Black people in a negative way to chicken and watermelon. The origins of these stereotypes are unclear. They may have begun as Southern stereotypes and then evolved into Black stereotypes. It's also possible that these evolved out of American slavery. Numerous primary sources chronicle Black resistance to slavery through "silent sabotage," or, day-to-day acts of resistance. Stealing from the master was one example. It seems logical that, given that food would be among the most desirable of items a slave would pilfer, and chickens and watermelons would have been commonly available. Solomon Northup, for example, tells of being put in charge of punishing slaves who got into the master's watermelon patch. Rather than carry out the punishment, Northup had the slaves show him the way to the patch. The connecting of Blacks to chicken and watermelon was done in a way to dehumanize Blacks and subject them to ridicule. This process helped contribute to prejudice and discrimination. Surprisingly, many young people are unaware of the long history of these stereotypes, while some older Black people refuse to eat watermelon because of that history. And yet the stereotype still exists. In 1989, while stationed at a Marine Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, I was standing in line at the chow hall and noticed a particular theme in the day's cuisine. The main offerings that day were fried chicken, black-eyed peas, and watermelon. I soon realized, to my horror, that it was Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. I do not know if this gesture was intended as a racist joke, or if the head cook really thought that offering such food was a way of honoring Dr. King.

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[Ali G. 37]

All the black people are being loud and rowdy, in a stadium. A negative situation from the lone White guy's POV.

The lone White guy tames the rowdy blacks with fried chicken because we all know that's how to get them to stop being loud and rowdy, turning it into a positive situation for the White guy.

Using fried chicken or waermelon to pacify black people is an old stereotype.

.....

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You cannot be serious dude. I guarantee you that you would be hard pressed to find even a handful of people outside the US that would have the slightest idea of any negative AA stereotype. The rest of the world is not America. You cannot honestly be suggesting the rest of the world review everything they do to ensure the 35 million African Americans are no offended in any way. Sorry bud but for obvious reasons, it's not going to happen.

It's racist to suggest that people born in various Africans countries are similar to black Americans, just because they are black.

Edit: Had the crowd been wearing clothing 10 times larger than their build, dancing to hip-pop, and making ridiculous hand gestures, then yes it would be racist; as it's specifically targeting African Americans.

Edited January 11, 2010 by Booyah

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

All the black people are being loud and rowdy, in a stadium. A negative situation from the lone White guy's POV.

The lone White guy tames the rowdy blacks with fried chicken because we all know that's how to get them to stop being loud and rowdy, turning it into a positive situation for the White guy.

Using fried chicken or waermelon to pacify black people is an old stereotype.

1. the ad is Australian targeting the Australian market

2. the ad would be the same with any opposing teams regardless of sport or nationality

3. the ad could have been for Coolah!

4. pretty sure watermelon is not indigenous to Australia.

[Ali G. 37]

4. pretty sure watermelon is not indigenous to Australia.

We sure do eat a lot of it there. Not only is it fresh but also tasty.

I sure miss the quality of produce from there. Speaking of KFC in Aus, on the way from the airport I stopped by and purchased some chips. I don't know why the hell they don't bring those here..

Edited January 11, 2010 by Booyah

[ValerieA 350]

Using fried chicken or waermelon to pacify black people is an old stereotype.

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The fried chicken thing is an American racist stereotype, it is not applicable in the rest of the world. So this ad would be racist in the US, but not in Australia.

[Ali G. 37]

The fried chicken thing is an American racist stereotype, it is not applicable in the rest of the world. So this ad would be racist in the US, but not in Australia.

It shouldn't be racist here either because it refers to people located in another country. Just because there is a stereotype with US Africans does not mean this is also the case everywhere else.

It's all good and well the some are born and indoctrinated to believe that African Americans represent anyone black but this is simple not the case. My black South African mates living in Melbourne are first to point this out.

Edited January 11, 2010 by Booyah

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

We sure do eat a lot of it there. Not only is it fresh but also tasty.

it is! I still have to think a minute about the rockmelon to cantaloupe conversion.

[Ali G. 37]

it is! I still have to think a minute about the rockmelon to cantaloupe conversion.

Ironically two popular foods in Australia are chicken and watermelon (in the summer).