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

One ad of three

[qshapadooy]

Jeebus. There are three ads:

  * White woman over black woman.
  * Black woman over white woman.
  * White woman and black woman on equal footing.

Everyone can't stop talking about the first and ignoring the others. And what are they ignoring the most? They're all hot.

Re:One ad of three

[Anonymous Coward]

As a followup, here are some links taken from the Fark discussion yesterday:

equal
white over
black over

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.

You Americans Need to Lighten up

[Valthan]

One, it isn't in the US. 2 you need to lighten up, sure racism exists, but its a video game advert and guess what, in another on it shows the black person on top of the white... I don't see what the big deal is personally, but I guess that is how I was raised, with quite a few good friends who are of different races. Check out The CAD newspose for an insightful post on the subject, as well as the pictures of the different ones, including prior art for a DS :P

Disclaimer: I am Canadian from a small border town near Niagara Falls.

Re:Yep, Racist America

[Manip]

What the heck are you going on about?! ...

The ad isn't racist, nor are the people looking at it. 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.

The above comment is a perfect example of that.

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

[Alexandra Erenhart]

I agree. If you think about racism, you'll find the ad. racist. If you don't give a damn about skin color, the ad is just the representation of PSP colors.

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!

Re:Yep, Racist America

[Kunta Kinte]

I agree. If you think about racism, you'll find the ad. racist. If you don't give a damn about skin color, the ad is just the representation of PSP colors.

I believe you are correct, but I don't agree with what you were getting at.

I lot of people have to think about racism, whether they want to or not. So they are going to be more sensitive about stuff like that. If you live your life in a place where there is no, or little racism. The ad probably won't offend you.

But if racism is something you have to deal with on occasion, then you will be on your guard, and sometimes over react.