KFC ad: Placate threatening black people with fried chicken…

rawstory.com...

It seems that old stereotype about black people liking fried chicken hasn't reached Australia. Or maybe, down under, playing up stereotypes to sell fast food just isn't a sin.

As part of a series of ads called "KFC's guide to cricket survival," the Australian branch of the US-based fried chicken chain released an ad that has some critics accusing the company of racial insensitivity.

The ad shows a worried white man in a crowd of dancing black people. "Need a tip when you're stuck in an awkward situation?" the man asks, and then passes a bucket of KFC chicken to the black people around him. "Too easy," the man quips.

Coverage of the controversy in Australian media suggests Australians may not be aware of the stereotype that links African-Americans to excessive consumption of fried chicken. "Australian KFC ad labeled racist by US commentators," states a headline at Rupert Murdoch's News.com.au Web site.

That article quotes KFC spokespeople as saying that the ad was "misinterpreted by a segment of people in the US."

We have a lot of ATS/BTS members from Down Under. Any of you ozzies seen this advertisement?

Do you think it's racist?

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[edit on Fri Jan 8 2010 by Jbird]

I think every one of us needs to be less sensitive.

Aside from depriving us of laughter, it creates convenient distractions from truly important matters.

(and yes, I'm a minority too)

I can see the humor somewhat, placating people one feels threatened by with a peace offering they will like. There is the reality that some white people do feel apprehensive in a situation in which they feel outnumbered racially, and maybe it's a step forward that it can be addressed with humor.

But it wouldn't fly in the U.S. It would be the kiss of death for KFC.

People need to grow up and learn how to take a damn joke.

Not the commercial, but a nice picture :]