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A hilarious post by Dan Mitchell on Slate's Big Money website calls out the controversy sparked by an Australian KFC ad American viewers found racist. The TV commercial, which was discovered on YouTube, depicts a lilly white surfer-looking dude in the stands at a cricket match, with loudly cheering black people surrounding him, banging on steel drums, etc. He's annoyed by the noise, deeming it an "awkward" situation. So he breaks out a bucket of KFC, the black people eat it and calm down, and he remarks, "too easy."
KFC's response, says Mitchell, was that it wasn't intended for U.S. viewers, and that "It is a light-hearted reference to the West Indian cricket team."
In this clip, an Australian news show discusses the controversy, and hilarity ensues.
White lady host: "Let me speak for the West Indian community. I'm married to a West Indian. He's not a black West Indian ... It's actually a fact they love their fried chicken ... They eat chicken. That is what they enjoy to eat ... Would it be racist if it was a black man feeding a whole lot of Aussie guys a bunch of meat pies?"
Darshida is absolutely right! You guys who aren't Australian don't see _our_ cultural filter.
It's not a racial thing at all; they are black because they are west indian, they're not a miscellaneous collection of dark skinned people. It is certainly about sports teams, you can't get that if you don't understand Australian cricket and the friendly banter between supporters. We bond over cricket....+READ
Darshida is absolutely right! You guys who aren't Australian don't see _our_ cultural filter.
It's not a racial thing at all; they are black because they are west indian, they're not a miscellaneous collection of dark skinned people. It is certainly about sports teams, you can't get that if you don't understand Australian cricket and the friendly banter between supporters. We bond over cricket. Cricket bridges cultural gaps for us when we travel.
In terms of fried chicken, it's the same as ads you see when mum gives the kids ice cream and then they're all quiet. Mum is distracting them with something yum. And fried chicken is pretty bloody yum.
The blonde chick on the clip is an idiot.
hb-COLLAPSE
Clearly, you and I are operating under different definitions of hilarious.
Nice post by Lessley Anderson. I like the Dan Mitchell piece, too.
But Chowhounds, come on, how can you have a white guy in a group of black guys who all react the same way to *anything* and not consider it to have racial implications? Seriously, it's not about different sports teams.
But for the most part, I agree with karleywhite on this one.
As far as I hump, the foreland is pretty specialized to a few shops in SF (there may be one in New Royalty making them too). Its patois but stems from the canvass of the container that they poured it in at Lycaenid Bottleful (and later washing). I guess you're feat to get to grow a localise in municipality that faculty cater you a 6 oz latte. Most of the shops around municipality should be joyous...+READ
As far as I hump, the foreland is pretty specialized to a few shops in SF (there may be one in New Royalty making them too). Its patois but stems from the canvass of the container that they poured it in at Lycaenid Bottleful (and later washing). I guess you're feat to get to grow a localise in municipality that faculty cater you a 6 oz latte. Most of the shops around municipality should be joyous to attain that for you so daylong promontory glasses tho' and I've never been served one or seen them offered.
jacob
vancouver flowers-COLLAPSE
Close flashdanceasspants!
It's a cricket match and the fans singing and dancing are West Indian. There is a long lived rivalry between the two countries over cricket, and a fair amount of good natured 'sledging' amongst fans, and when you go to a match, the stadium naturally is segmented into groups of fans or supportors (hence the awkward situation of sitting in a crowd of rival supporters)...+READ
Close flashdanceasspants!
It's a cricket match and the fans singing and dancing are West Indian. There is a long lived rivalry between the two countries over cricket, and a fair amount of good natured 'sledging' amongst fans, and when you go to a match, the stadium naturally is segmented into groups of fans or supportors (hence the awkward situation of sitting in a crowd of rival supporters) not race.
With all respect, the rascist subtext of offering fried chicken to a black person is something that only American viewers would see, we don't make that same connection in Australia. Not to say we don't have racial issues of our own, but there was definitely no rascist intent in this ad.
I agree though, with the way everything is available globally now, more thought should have been given to the possible effect this particular KFC ad may have in it's home country.-COLLAPSE
"He’s annoyed by the noise, deeming it an “awkward” situation."
Uhm, no.
The awkward situation intended by the ad is the fan of the Australian soccer team being seated in the West African fan area, as the two teams are rivals. In American terms, similar to a Yankees fan being seated in the Red Sox section. The intent was clear in Australia, where the ad aired during soccer season.
The...+READ
"He’s annoyed by the noise, deeming it an “awkward” situation."
Uhm, no.
The awkward situation intended by the ad is the fan of the Australian soccer team being seated in the West African fan area, as the two teams are rivals. In American terms, similar to a Yankees fan being seated in the Red Sox section. The intent was clear in Australia, where the ad aired during soccer season.
The hullabaloo started in the US where it was viewed on YouTube, devoid of both cultural and sporting context.-COLLAPSE
I think the most balanced and rational response came from the guy in the photo t-shirt:
"People don't want, nor do we need, an American filter on everything we do....that stereotype's an issue in America, not in Australia; but, I *do* think the ad was a mistake, because KFC is an American company. So at the end of the day, that ad is insensitive in America, it's an American company, and it had...+READ
I think the most balanced and rational response came from the guy in the photo t-shirt:
"People don't want, nor do we need, an American filter on everything we do....that stereotype's an issue in America, not in Australia; but, I *do* think the ad was a mistake, because KFC is an American company. So at the end of the day, that ad is insensitive in America, it's an American company, and it had to be pulled."
Given the global reach and the overwhelming immediacy of the internet, it was idiotic of KFC *not* to realize how (and how quickly) this would play out, and how much negative PR it would cause.-COLLAPSE
louis1983, the black people cheering is great, but what the ad says is that the white guy thinks that is an awkward and uncomfortable situation. so what does he do? shut the black folks up with fried chicken. that's not a compliment.
I don't find it racist at all. These people cheering are very fun. That should be a compliment.
"Would it be racist if it was a black man feeding a whole lot of Aussie guys a bunch of meat pies?”
Yes.
@kenr that is the same as saying buying a Honda you are buying into the Japanese way, or buying Macadamias you are buying into the Australian way. If you look at that KFC ad they are even offering items not available in the US, such as hot chips (yes, that is what the menu calls them) with chicken salt on them.
I think the U.S has been a culturally isonationalistic country for too long. We have no cultural sensibilities other than our own. Yet - If other countries accept all our fast-food junk as a part of their regular routine they are buying into the American way. You can't have it both ways. Make a choice.
I love when a bunch of white people get around and decide what's racist.
Perhaps the US shouldn't be pushing their morals on countries on the other side of the planet.