Kentucky Fried Chicken- Racist TV Ad or not?
*Updated*
KFC's newest advertisement on Australian TV has many people around the world, mainly Americans in uproar over its contents.
KFC's racist TV ad is being talked about and debated on Youtube, The Huffington Post and Facebook with people weighing in on whether they think the ad is racist or not.
After watching the Ad which features a crowd of black west indians supporting the West Indies cricket team, with one white Australian supporter who appeases them with KFC chicken, I really can't say that I find the ad that offensive at all.
As many commenters have noted, the racial connotations are really picked up by Americans who have a negative stereotype of black people and fried chicken. I personally don't think this ad is playing into that sterotype at all.
What are your thoughts on the Australian KFC commercial that people are calling racist?
Watch the 'KFC Racist Ad' that is garnerning so much talk below:
*Update*
KFC Australia has now pulled the ad. See HERE.
Comments
This is as bad as the "bandido" ads released last year in Europe by Burger King for a spicy burger.
I often wonder, are we that hung up on stereotypes in the U.S. as opposed to Europe and Australia, which do not seem to follow the same code of sensitivity?
It is a bit racist.
What? It has nothing to do with American racial stereotypes.
This is the same stupid result as the "Hey Hey It's Saturday" show's 'blackface' racial lean. In Australia, we DON'T have these stereotypes in our culture. It's unheard of so we don't think that way. The same as we don't think people putting black makeup on is attacking dark skinned people. It's only America that has that issue in it's culture.
Black People should not be used in the promotion of any fried foods.
I am black and it's not racist because people from the West Indies don't care one fark for KFC(americanized fried crap).
/Maybe if the guy gave out Jerked Chicken or something
//My daughter's mother is from the West Indies
Wait...not everyone on the planet thinks and views things exactly as Americans???!
You Aussies are lucky most of you are Caucasian or we would likely be invading you right now.
...we haven't yet, right?
How is this racist???
I'm a black person and i LOVE KFC.
Most of the people i see in my local KFC are black as well.
I'm not surprised if the majority of the complainers are blacks. They take every chance they get to say they're being discriminated against...no matter where in the world it's occurring. Everything that our country offers, they have to complain that there's not enough for them, and that because how blacks were treated, and that considerable motions have been made to apologize for those actions, it's never enough. Hell, I'm a thirty-something white male, making $30K and trying to pay for college. I can't get the free money and special acceptance into most colleges...because I'm white...who's being discriminated against now?
i wonder if people have seen the other aussie KFC ads where the same white man uses various products to appease different people like his friend and a security guard. It was simply a bad situation as he was among the opposition's supporters not the fact that they were black.
Regardless of whether the add is racist or not, the guy who said there are black AND white people in the crowd besides the speaker is wrong.
They're all black besides him.
I don't like cricket! I LOVE IT!
I'm from New Zealand and really I think it'd only be offensive to an American. I don't think it is racist in the slightest.
To be honest, the West Indians could be replaced with South Africans or British who are also cricket playingand have a similar affect but for such a short ad spot, I think the fact that they were supporting opposing teams didn't need to be pointed out made the ad far more effective so the fans really needed to look as different as possible from the main actor.
I don't see how anyone can say they're an intelligent person and still say this add is racist to the West Indies or any race for that matter. It's known KFC is a supporter of the cricket, and Australia is playing the West Indies..... simple as that! Why do people over read stuff and stick their nose in where it's not wanted. How many West Indies supporters/public complained about this add? ONLY they should have a say on this, not African Americans who are pretty much unknown to Australians.
You idiots. It's because Australia just played the West Indies.
This is so stupid, I guess blacks don't eat fried chicken. Anyone who complains that it is racist has a sad pathetic life and needs to complain just to get attention.
Of course it's racist, but it isn't really defamatory, other than the white guy coming off like a smug jackass placating 'them durn negroes' with the chicken. I'm surprised he didn't have a side of watermelon.
I am a black American and I don't find this racist at all. I think the focus of the ad is to say that KFC chicken is something that can please any crowd, even one of fans that are cheering for the other team. Grow up.
Are you freaking kidding me?! Look at this guy in the first few clips, he's scared and nervous. Then he hands the crowd chicken to keep them calm - of course it's racist!!! I say we boycott the bastards!
Boo-freakin' hoo. The US is so politically correct that we let foreign nations and our poor walk all over us. The sooner we get over this PC BS the better.
I don't think it's racist if they're supporting the opposing team. I don't watch cricket, but I assume the crowd was supporting Jamaica and the guy was not. I've seen a lot worse on American television, towards several minorities, but no one posts about that. But if it's another country, OH GOD THEY'RE RACIST!
Half the time, some of the comments are more racist than the subject of the post. (Only one here I can see, but it's still not half as bad as some sites.)
I'm black and this silly but not racist. People need to relax a bit.
I am black in America and I don't think it is racist. Blacks liking fried chicken is an American stereotype. Lots of people like fried chicken.
saying this is racist means you are racist because you think blacks eat chicken :D we all know blacks only eat tofu
My freind warren is white and loves KFC. He also has a big head that looks like a melon..
It seems stupid and, of course, I am American, but it does look a bit racist to me. I don't think it was meant to have any racist connotations but it seems like the man is saying that black people can easily be calmed down with some fried chicken.
the guy a few above me michael, now he's racist. but this? not so much.
Not racist. Just remember this ad is from Australia guys, the whole "black people love fried chicken" is an American stereotype and doesn't really hold much weight over here.
I'm wondering when someone will mention the Popeyes ads back in the states. The black woman in the ad is almost talking jive!
That said, I'm black, and I don't care. I love fried chicken. Sure it's a stereotype, but every race has em.
oh come on! it's only fried chicken. this is just one example of how the media manipulates points of views and capitalizing on a touchy subject such as racism. and unfortunately, i too, was victimized into clicking on this article.
mass media manipulation = +1
manipulated online reader = 0
what a waste of bandwidth...
I can't believe I live in a universe were Don's sentance, "Black People should not be used in the promotion of any fried foods.", wasn't taken from the Hitch Hikers Guide to the galaxy entry.
@Michael
Way to put your personal problems in there. And how do you know f the majority of the complainers are blacks?
im so glad that many comments here say that it's silly but not racist. Maybe the world is coming together after all. God bless,
The people who complain about this are the ones who are too race focused. Its a guy giving food to people to get out of a tricky situation. You see them as black people first and people getting fried chicken second. That smacks of rasicsm.
I'm an Aussie, and the West Indian's are in the ad because we just played against them so that is why they are in the ad.
But the main point is that most Australian's would not even think or know of the association of black people and fried chicken. It certainally wasnt the something that came into my head when I saw it. This is something in American culture, not ours.
Though it doesn't scream racism there are some racist undertones such as his suggestion of chicken following up with "to easy" statement. If the italians can scream stereotypes from a show as simple and generalized as MTV's Jersey Shore there should be no problem or bashing people who find this commercial to be offensive.
That was a great ad! Food can be a wonderful social catalyst!!
-Pete
In the Southern US
There are many ads over the years that have been produced in one area of the world that are viewed as offensive in another. When something is taken out of context, people are not viewing it as it was meant to be seen. In this case, James pointed out that it revolves around rival teams and there is background/history to the ad concept. In addition to this, the idea of black people and fried chicken isn't something that exists in Australia...where the ad was made and where the ad is suppose to be viewed. If this was made in the USA, I would say that it is stereotyping black people negatively and agree with those that condemn it. Definitely makes for a great subject of discussion.
C'mon, who doesnt like KFC?! exept vegetarians i mean. You will only find the racism in this ad if you look for it.
A lone Australian in a crowd of West Indians at a cricket game - very much the odd one out. If Bundaberg was a sponsor and he handed them all a bottle of Rum would they be playing on some minority alocoholism stereotype. People will always find something they don't like in any situation. As said - Its an Australian ad aimed at Australians not anyone else. Similar to the use of the word "Fanny" by Americans in American TV shows etc, a totally different meaning here in Australia and can be construed as somewhat offensive, but do we care - No.
this ad does not involve america in any way,except for the fact that kfc is an american company (which is not relevant to this issue). its funny how some americans are whinging about things that don't even have anything to do with them
What is racist about it? I'm white and I honestly don't see it
I'm black and I love fried chicken. I love watermelon too. Why should that spark some sort of racial debate whenever I want to go out for a picnic. It's silly.
umm.. they're not african americans. they're west indians.
A lone Australian in a crowd of West Indians at a cricket game - very much the odd one out. If Bundaberg was a sponsor and he handed them all a bottle of Rum would they be playing on some minority alocoholism stereotype. People will always find something they don't like in any situation. As said - Its an Australian ad aimed at Australians not anyone else. Similar to the use of the word "Fanny" by Americans in American TV shows etc, a totally different meaning here in Australia and can be construed as somewhat offensive, but do we care - No.
This is not rascist. It is not reffering to african americans but the West Indies!! They are rival teams, it is set for the viewers in australia who understand the message it is trying to send. KFC just happens to be a major sponser of the cricket and the team we are playing atm is the west indies... relevant to what they are promoting during the games... YES! he was the only australian in the stands and therefore as they are opposing teams they are rivals and he is then stuck in a awkward situation so to make friends he offers them some chicken. He is NOT trying to subdue black people with fried chicken.
you know what is racist, a group of people acknowledging the racial differences between to cultures that are not even featured in this advertisment. its like some kind of lame excuse to bring up racism.
move on people. you look massivly retarded. this add was directed to australian culture not americans. they are west indians. they are not stereotyped in australia like african americans are in north america. plus the cricket has been on lately its most likley appealing to that demographic.
it all just sounds so culturally chauvinistic for the u.s to debate this...
Advert = not racist. Protestors = racist.
its so stupid,don't even bother talking about it anymore!
you have to realize that Americans on a whole believe that everything that is the norm for them HAS to be the norm everywhere else. Probably the most ignorant nation on the planet in regards to other cultures. Besides, if you really look into their culture, both the black and the white people continue their racist tendencies and love it.
Pages
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!