Sunday Funnies: Cheerios Ad Parody

In June of this year, a Cheerios ad featuring an interracial family generated some controversy. In response to the backlash, comic filmmaker Kenji created the following parody (which has over 1 million views on You Tube).

Cheerios Ad Featuring An Interracial Family Generates Appreciation and Controversy

From l-r: Grace Colbert, Whitney Avalon, and Charles Malik Whitfield

A recent Cheerios commercial featuring a bi-racial family has elicited strong reactions, both pro and con. In the commercial (which you can watch below), a child (Grace Colbert) asks her mother (Whitney Avalon) if it's true that Cheerios is good for the heart. After her mother confirms it is, the child does her part to ensure her father (Charles Malik Whitfield) has a healthy heart. In addition to being thoroughly pleased to see an interracial family being portrayed in an ad, I also thought the commercial was brilliant in its simplicity.

Most of the reactions to the commercial have been positive, with people echoing thoughts similar to mine. However, the ad has predictably brought out the bigotry in some people. According to an article on the website Adweek, the comments section of the You Tube clip posted by Cheerios was littered with references to Nazis (wtf?!) and racial genocide (again, wtf?!). The backlash has caused Cheerios to disable the comments on the clip. On Cheerios' Facebook page, commenters stated they found the ad "disgusting" and that it made them "want to vomit". Although Cheerios has closed the comments section on the clip they posted, you can still "like" or "dislike" it. If a count of "likes" and "dislikes" is any indication, love is trouncing hate. As of this writing, the You Tube clip posted by Cheerios had 19,302 likes as opposed to only 1,323 dislikes.

The Cheerios' ad is the latest in a developing trend in which interracial relationships are being portrayed in advertising. Although the Cheerios' spot is obviously not the first U.S. commercial to feature an interracial couple,  it's the first one I can recall which features a black-white interracial couple AND their child. In addition to the links below which feature interracial couples in commercials, I've also noticed in-store ads at my local Target which reflect this change in society.

Apple iPhone

Bank of America ad touting cash back deals

Philadelphia Cream Cheese

The Cheerios commercial and others like it are reflecting the growing trend of interracial marriages in the U.S. With the rise in interracial marriages, it makes sense for companies to create ads which represent this expanding demographic. Sorry bigots, get used to it!

There was a time when seeing minorities on TV was practically an event. I've heard stories of how black people would alert their neighbors/relatives and huddle around the TV when someone like the Supremes would appear on The Ed Sullivan Show. Now, it's not a huge deal. I look forward to the day when interracial couples in advertising becomes just as commonplace.

The Fallout From Rush Limbaugh's Comments About Sandra Fluke

In the aftermath of Rush Limbaugh's controversial comments about Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke, several companies pulled their advertising from his radio program. On March 3rd, Rush did something I don't believe he's ever done when faced with backlash from any of the outrageous statements he's made... he offered an apology. At least it's the closest he could come to one.

Posted on Rush's website is his "apology":

"For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week.  In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.

I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit?In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.

My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."

 

Rush's apology rings false because after his initial Wednesday February 29th attack against Ms. Fluke, he hurled additional verbal bombs at her on Thursday and Friday. It was only after a number of advertisers started to abandon ship that he saw the error of his ways. Apparently, his "apology" hasn't stopped the bleeding because another advertiser, Carbonite, pulled their ads from his show. After dropping Limbaugh's program, Carbonite CEO David Friend said the following:

"No one with daughters the age of Sandra Fluke, and I have two, could possibly abide the insult and abuse heaped upon this courageous and well-intentioned young lady. Mr. Limbaugh, with his highly personal attacks on Miss Fluke, overstepped any reasonable bounds of decency. Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless decided to withdraw our advertising from his show. We hope that our action, along with the other advertisers who have already withdrawn their ads, will ultimately contribute to a more civilized public discourse."

 

While writing this post, I learned that another company (Pro Flowers) yanked their ads from Limbaugh's show on March 4th. Props to all the companies who have finally had enough of Limbaugh's "entertainment". 

 

If you'd like to let the companies still advertising on Rush's program know that you don't approve of his misogyny, below is one of the sites where you can make your voice heard.

 

CREDO action

 

Let me close by saying that the Limbaugh/Fluke controversy isn't a left vs. right issue to me. Even if one disagrees with Ms. Fluke's stance that health insurance plans should cover the cost of birth control, I don't see how they can defend Rush's despicable attacks against her. As always, I like to hear from people with opposing viewpoints. I'd especially like to hear from any female conservatives who read this post. 

Sandra Fluke's testimony:

Final Results of the Recent Clint Eastwood "Halftime in America" Ad Poll

In the recent poll in which I asked people to give their opinion of the Chrysler ad featuring Clint Eastwood, an overwhelming majority of you voted "thumbs up". Here are the final results:

Thumbs up: 82%
Thumbs down: 17%

Thanks to all of you who participated in and commented on this poll. Below, "Clint Eastwood" has a few choice words for the people who misinterpreted the Chrysler ad.

Please Take A Moment To Vote In the Clint Eastwood "Halftime in America" Ad... Thank You

Please note that this post is "future dated" because it's poll-related. For posts which were written after this one, but have their actual date attached to them, please scroll down. Thank you.

During the halftime of Super Bowl XLV, Clint Eastwood appeared in a Chrysler ad titled "Halftime in America". Feelings on the ad seem to be divided along party lines. While David Axelrod (President Obama’s campaign manager) and Dan Pfeiffer (the White House communications director) praised the ad, Fox News contributors Karl Rove and Michelle Malkin weren't so enthused.

I thought the ad was both positive and powerful in its "we may be down, but we're not out" message about America. Since when did promoting the spirit of America become a bad thing in the collective eyes of some on the right?! You can show how you felt about the Chrysler ad by voting thumbs up or down in the poll in the upper portion of the sidebar on the right.

Below is the ad followed by the Hardball segment in which Chris Matthews discusses the ad with political consultant Mark McKinnon.

Speaking of controversial Super Bowl ads, please see the post dated February 7th below.  

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Pete Hoekstra Ad Draws Criticism For Racial Insensitivity Against Asians

While getting ready to head out to a Super Bowl party, I saw the now infamous ad run by U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra against Michigan incumbent Debbie Stabenow. The ad features a young Asian actress thanking Sen. Stabenow for weakening the U.S. economy and making China's stronger. The problem with the ad is that it has the actress speaking in broken English as if she just stepped off the set of a Charlie Chan flick. It was kinda surreal for me when I first saw the ad because I had to ask myself if I saw and heard what I think I did.

Although the ad only aired in Michigan markets before and during The Super Bowl, it is getting criticism on a nationwide level (from both sides of the political aisle) due to its racial insensitivity.  In the article that I linked to above, Hoekstra defended the ad (which is scheduled to run for two weeks on cable stations across Michigan).

By the way, there is actually a website titled Debbiespenditnow.com and it's as over-the-top with the Asian imagery as you can imagine.

In the clips below, Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks and Lawrence O'Donnell attack the ad... but from different angles.

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Ad by Americans for Herman Cain/Touré's Take On the Discussion of Racism

 Ad by Americans for Herman Cain

In the aftermath of the sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain, the group Americans for Herman Cain released the following ad:



The only way this ad makes any sense is if you know zilch about U.S. news/politics of the last 25 years.

1. Blaming Herman Cain's problems on the left is baseless because we don't know who gave the story to Politico. Cain himself can't seem to make up his mind on who he wants to blame for the sexual harassment allegations coming to light. So far, he's pointed his finger at the left, the Rick Perry campaign and the media. Next, he'll be blaming the rain or the boogie!

2 .As for Politico breaking the story and the "so-called" mainstream media covering it, what were they supposed to do?!  I hate to break it to Cain and his supporters, but the fact that he is running for president makes these sexual harassment allegations a news story. If you think it's only black conservatives who get media coverage when scandal touches their political career, tell that to Bill Clinton, Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards, Anthony Weiner and a host of others.

3. The "left hates black conservatives" talking point used by some on the right is a classic case of a straw man argument. I hear people on the right claim they don't see color. If this were true, they wouldn't cry foul whenever a black conservative gets criticism based on the issues. Why should a black conservative get special treatment simply because of the color of their skin?

4.To say "they" (aka "the left") can't argue with Herman Cain on policy is a lie. Cain's "9-9-9" plan and his stances on such issues as foreign policy, abortion, and immigration have been criticized by the left. Also, people on the GOP side have been critical of Herman Cain on various issues as well. I guess IOKIYAR.

As I've stated before, there's nothing wrong with blacks being conservative. The problem I have with black conservatives like Herman Cain is that they downplay racism until they get into trouble. Just last month, Cain stated that racism isn't holding anyone back. However, he played the race card awfully quick as soon as his ass got into hot water. What's even worse is that he even admitted there was no evidence to support his claim!

Of all the people Herman Cain has pointed the finger at for the sexual harassment allegations and the ensuing media firestorm, to the best of my knowledge he has yet to blame himself. Had he taken some personal responsibility (the conservative/GOP mantra), he wouldn't be in this mess.

Touré's Take On the Discussion of Racism

During his segment on Friday's installment of The Dylan Ratigan Show, writer/TV personality Touré talks about how some on the right are trying to squash any rational discussions we have on racism.

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Although I disagree with Touré's assertion that efforts to end discussions about racism is racism itself, he hit all the right notes with the rest of his commentary. There are serious discussions that need to be had on the subject of racism in this country and they should involve people of all political viewpoints. Rush doesn't want that to happen because if it does, he's finished. Rush's calling cards are divisiveness and stoking fear/resentment. To expect him to have an honest and intelligent discussion on the subject of racism is a waste of time. Let's leave the "I'm rubber, you're glue"-style accusations of racism to people like Rush. While he and his ilk engage in their simple minded approach to race/racism, the rest of us can get down to business.

By the way, that Louis C.K. clip was hilariously on point!

What are your thoughts on the Americans for Herman Cain ad and Touré's comments on how we talk about racism?

Conservative Ad Smears OWS Protesters As Anti-Semitic

A Republican group by the name of The Emergency Committee for Israel has put together an ad claiming the "Occupy Wall Street" protest in lower Manhattan is anti-Semitic. Cenk Uygur of TYT breaks it down in the following clip:



In addition to the ad being straight up bullshit, it also ironic. The irony also applies to how a majority of conservatives have reacted to the OWS protesters. For the last couple of years, they've complained about the Tea Party movement being unfairly portrayed as racist. I agree with the TP'ers to a point on the racism accusation. However, I also heard many conservatives misinterpret valid criticism of the Tea Party. When it was accurately pointed out that there is an element of racism within the Tea Party, conservatives distorted that criticism by accusing these same critics of painting the entire movement as racist.

Many conservatives have a short memory because now they are guilty of the same thing they accused the left of doing. We've heard the detractors label all the protesters as lazy, filthy, confused, etc. and now we have this anti-Semitic smear. Here's my message to the Tea Party and its supporters. Feel free to disagree with the OWS protesters. However, when you smear the entire movement, you've simply become what you detest.

Anti-Abortion Billboard: Informative or Racially Offensive?

Earlier this week, the anti-abortion group Life Always caught some flack for the above billboard which they put up in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan.  The head of Life Always, pastor Stephen Broden (who is African American) said his group's intention was for the billboard to be provocative.  Suffice it to say, they succeeded because the billboard has elicited both positive and negative reactions throughout the country. Here is a link to a story about the Life Always billboard.

Now a discussion about abortion, race, and the reasons women choose abortion is worth having.  However, to say the womb is the most dangerous place for an African-American is over-the-top.  To me and many others, the billboard is equating abortion rates among African-American women to genocide.

In terms of chances for survival, who would you bet on: an unborn African-American or me at a KKK meeting?