I’m subjected to these inane commercials ten times in a half hour watching PTI, and got to thinking- is this supposed to be some sort of Caribbean voodoo guy with the spooky eyes and white suit, or just some guy in a white suit? And if the former, is that sort of offensive?
Is Caribbean a race? Voodoo (or voudoun) isn’t, nor is it a religion specific to any race (nor to the Caribbean), so that part can’t be racist.
Is this a different guy than the “Hooray, Beer!” guy?
'Cause I like that guy.
He’s just a chill island mon!
Red Stripe is a Jamaican beer. Voodoo is most prominent in Haiti. There’s not a connection between the spokesman and voodoo.
Racist? Not really. But the beer is swill.
Yes, that’s the one.
Hippy Hollow, right, but does the average viewer know this? Like Hank Hill said “So are you Chinese or Japanese”.
Yeah, he has nothing in common with a voodoo stereotype.
Other than being Jamaican he has little in common with a Rasta stereotype.
The only thing stereotypical is that he’s a laid back island mon. Which most of the people I have run into who live on Caribbean islands are.
I don’t think it’s a stereotype myself.
And I like the commericals. Some are better than others, but the near non-sequitors are the best. Like “Boo! Unexpected room of evil!”
And I like Red Stripe.
Maybe its just me then. Probably the white suit with the long tails had me leaning the other way- who else wears that?
“Nope! He’s Laotian…aren’t yeah mister Khan?”—I love that line only because it’s cultural understanding from the LAST place you’d expect it.
Racial stereotypes tend to be negative. What about that Malibu guy, he’s cool too.
No, but he does exploit a racial stereotype:
“Red Stripe and reggae- helping our white friends dance for thirty years!”
I would love to air a Brooks Brothers commercial right after this: “Spring water and Brooks Brothers suits- helping our black friends get jobs for thirty years!”
Both play on stereotypes, in the exact same way. One is acceptable, one is not.
[sub]I AM half kidding. But only half.[/sub]
If it is, it’s harmless. It’s not a malicious racism. Humor is frequently racist, you still laugh and appreciate the humor.
I think there’s a lot of stuff the world misses out on because someone, somewhere may be offended. If it’s not harmful, if it’s not done for spite or to belittle, I don’t see a problem.
He kind of reminds me of the 7-up Uncola guy as well.
Enjoy,
Steven
So it might be more appropriate to say we’re being racist against pitchmen!
<gasp!> 