Speaking of Racism

[pedroh 21]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

What's wrong with putting them at a boardroom table instead of a pen?

Nothing. I expect the symbolism WAMU was going for there was the image of old school bankers as a 'herd' ... and WAMU the renegade who does things different.

as simple as that.. is like the black sheep white sheep thread.. the black guy is the 'rebel sheep' while the other dudes are the ones that do everything together, the same, cuz they dont wanna change

[Heracles 417]

I don't think anyone is offended by the commercial. It was more about making a point that if the roles where reversed would everyone still be saying big deal. History has shown otherwise..

Edited September 5, 2007 by Boo-Yah!

[pedroh 21]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

EL BANCO DE JOSE!!

yeah.. other races wouldn't represent old school banking..

They could have showed people jumping a border n'######.. To represent their new client's..

na.. they'd probly show someone Americans think is latin.. like Eva Longoria or J.LO.. NOT!

Edited September 5, 2007 by pedroh

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

What's wrong with putting them at a boardroom table instead of a pen?

Nothing. I expect the symbolism WAMU was going for there was the image of old school bankers as a 'herd' ... and WAMU the renegade who does things different.

as simple as that.. is like the black sheep white sheep thread.. the black guy is the 'rebel sheep' while the other dudes are the ones that do everything together, the same, cuz they dont wanna change

or maybe that's a pigpen they are in

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

What's wrong with putting them at a boardroom table instead of a pen?

Nothing. I expect the symbolism WAMU was going for there was the image of old school bankers as a 'herd' ... and WAMU the renegade who does things different.

That would seem to be what they were going for. Still I wouldn't say that other interpretations are not valid - indeed advertisers monitor very closely how audiences respond to their commercials. This is one campaign out of many. So many considerations (including political correctness) - can't get it right all the time.

But again - hard to see how this is racist, as there isn't anything specifically 'black' about the young guy, other than his skin colour.

[pedroh 21]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

What's wrong with putting them at a boardroom table instead of a pen?

Nothing. I expect the symbolism WAMU was going for there was the image of old school bankers as a 'herd' ... and WAMU the renegade who does things different.

That would seem to be what they were going for. Still I wouldn't say that other interpretations are not valid - indeed advertisers monitor very closely how audiences respond to their commercials. This is one campaign out of many. So many considerations (including political correctness) - can't get it right all the time.

But again - hard to see how this is racist, as there isn't anything specifically 'black' about the young guy, other than his skin colour.

ya.. he's not doing the 'hey yall, come to da playaz bank! WAMU! word'

[Heracles 417]

From what I have heard, anecdotally of course, WAMU seems to have a similar reputation to NWA..

Edited September 5, 2007 by Boo-Yah!

[Heracles 417]

ya.. he's not doing the 'hey yall, come to da playaz bank! WAMU! word'

Now that would be a good bank name. Da Playaz Bank Inc!

[SqdnGuns 21]

Number 6,

Re BofA customer service: Develop relationships with the people who work at your local branch. The customer service, once you've done so, is spectacular. Their computer system is full of little hidden features that only they can access for you. The idiots on the phone can't do much at all.

LOL................yeah right. BofA in California could not even access my BofA Florida account. I'll stick with USAA and WAMU.

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

EL BANCO DE JOSE!!

yeah.. other races wouldn't represent old school banking..

Images of Pancho Villa going through my head for some reason............

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Number 6,

Re BofA customer service: Develop relationships with the speople who work at your local branch. The customer service, once you've done so, is spectacular. Their computer system is full of little hidden features that only they can access for you. The idiots on the phone can't do much at all.

LOL................yeah right. BofA in California could not even access my BofA Florida account. I'll stick with USAA and WAMU.

The way it was explained to me banking is different in California due to the number of rich people in that state. B of A stores account info on different systems / databases than it uses for the rest of the country.

[Heracles 417]

Number 6,

Re BofA customer service: Develop relationships with the speople who work at your local branch. The customer service, once you've done so, is spectacular. Their computer system is full of little hidden features that only they can access for you. The idiots on the phone can't do much at all.

LOL................yeah right. BofA in California could not even access my BofA Florida account. I'll stick with USAA and WAMU.

The way it was explained to me banking is different in California due to the number of rich people in that state. B of A stores account info on different systems / databases than it uses for the rest of the country.

Also different regulations there..

[Peikko 1,575]

A lot of sucky banks period. I can't find one I like at all. I would change my current account because of some of the bank's policies (Downey Savings) but so far I haven't come up with one bank that ticks all my banking need boxes. Grrrr!

[pedroh 21]

state credit unions ftw.. im the NCSECU.. for state employees since my wife is a teacher, no stupid charges, no anything

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

ya.. he's not doing the 'hey yall, come to da playaz bank! WAMU! word'

Now that would be a good bank name. Da Playaz Bank Inc!

NWH yo!

[Sheriff Uling 3]

oh the WaMu commercials are funny

me too...