PSP Ad Draws Charges of Racism

Lord Kano writes "The Guardian Unlimited is reporting that a new Sony ad for the upcoming white PSP has caused an uproar because of claims that it carries racist overtones. The ad depicts a white woman, clad all in white, grabbing the face of a black model in a dominating pose." From the article: "It's questionable whether the world is ready to explore themes of race and domination in the context of a videogame console ad. Although not as wilfully controversial as Benetton's infamous 'United Colours' campaign, many viewers will be unwilling or unable to decode the imagery until it becomes about two different colours of plastic." What do you think about this latest in a long line of PSP ads of questionable taste?

Comments

You think this is bad?

[Red Samurai]

Have a look at Nintendo's work: http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/images/news/ds_ad .jpg
Seriously though, I think Tim's article on the whole issue covered this pretty well (currently on the front page of CAD).

Re:Yep, Racist America

[Alarash]

The ONLY people that seem to be racist are the hyper-sensitive Americans looking at the ad and applying their own screwed up values to it.

We ALMOST saw her nipple. Gee, that was a close call. I don't think American tribunals would have survived a racism porn trials wave.

Re:As an ad, it's working beautifully.

[MBraynard]

Incorrect. The success of an add is if the sum is equal to the numbers you are adding together.

Re:Great marketing tactic

[mgblst]

I had no idea either. I was too busy oppressing the black man, and getting my KKK outfit from the cleaners. Now I can really oppress the black man, by buying a white psp. What you gonna do now, nigga!

Looks like a pink woman and a brown woman to me

[Andy_R]

Is it sexist that the don't make a pink version, or is that homophobic today?

Would it be more or less racist to deny the brown woman her right to choose to be paid to appear in the ad?

Should I be boycotting both versions of the PSP, because I'm a nudist and I fnd the clothing in the ads offensive? ...Or is all this a big fuss over nothing, and a lot of free advertising for Sony?

Re:Great marketing tactic

[Descalzo]

...if I buy a PSP it will have to be white.

RACIST!!!

Re:One ad of three

[neonprimetime]

Hell, I admit, even I'm not immune. Talk of lawyers sets me off.

Sorry, couldn't resist :-P

Did you make a donation?
At the United Way in a fairly small town a volunteer worker noticed that the most successful lawyer in the whole town hadn't made a contribution. This guy was making about $600,000 a year so the volunteer thought, "Why not call him up?"

He calls up the lawyer.

"Sir, according to our research you haven't made a contribution to the United Way, would you like to do so?"

The lawyer responds, "A contribution? Does your research show that I have an invalid mother who requires expensive surgery once a year just to stay alive?"

The worker is feeling a bit embarrassed and says, "Well, no sir, I'm..."

"Does your research show that my sister's husband was killed in a car accident? She has three kids and no means of support!"

The worker is feeling quite embarrassed at this point. "I'm terribly sorry..."

"Does your research show that my brother broke his neck on the job and now requires a full time nurse to have any kind of normal life?"

The worker is completely humiliated at this point. "I am sorry sir, please forgive me..."

"The gall of you people! I don't give them anything, so why should I give it to you!"

Re:One ad of three

[Rayonic]

Even without racism, the ads have too much violence and aggression.

They should put out one final ad where the two models kiss and make up.