'Stereotyping' Kfc Ad: Racist or Not?
Task 2: Critical Response Sjors Calma
In this critical response I will discuss the following fast-food advertisement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FftZt-Dw_hQ
The question I will be looking at is: How and why is a social group represented in a particular way?
It is an ad from KFC Australia, called the KFC Cricket Survival Guide. It shows a white supporter of the Australian cricket team surrounded by the supporters of the opposite team: The West Indian cricket team. All the supporters of that team are black. The only white person (whose name is Mick) is clearly annoyed by the cheering and drumming of the other supporters. He asks the viewer: “Need a tip when you’re stuck in an awkward situation?” He then pulls out a bucket of KFC fried chicken wings, which immediately stops the cheering of the supporters. He concludes that it is “Too easy” and proceeds to watch the game in peace, while the others are enjoying their chicken.
The ad was originally exclusively aired in Australia and surrounding countries, but it has found its way on the internet. Since then, it caused a huge buzz internationally, especially in the United States. The commercial is thought of as racist, and KFC is accused of making use of an old racist stereotype by claiming that every black person loves fried chicken. It is interesting to notice that when the commercial aired in Australia, people did not react in the same way. So why is this ad such a sensitive issue in America?
Mick the Aussie supporter hands out the KFC bucket to the West Indian supporters, making everyone stop cheering.
Mick the Aussie supporter hands out the KFC bucket to the West Indian supporters, making everyone stop cheering.
The United States has had its issues with racism in the past, but they are still here in the present. During the segregation, black people were treated unequally. For example, they had to make use of other public services
In this critical response I will discuss the following fast-food advertisement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FftZt-Dw_hQ
The question I will be looking at is: How and why is a social group represented in a particular way?
It is an ad from KFC Australia, called the KFC Cricket Survival Guide. It shows a white supporter of the Australian cricket team surrounded by the supporters of the opposite team: The West Indian cricket team. All the supporters of that team are black. The only white person (whose name is Mick) is clearly annoyed by the cheering and drumming of the other supporters. He asks the viewer: “Need a tip when you’re stuck in an awkward situation?” He then pulls out a bucket of KFC fried chicken wings, which immediately stops the cheering of the supporters. He concludes that it is “Too easy” and proceeds to watch the game in peace, while the others are enjoying their chicken.
The ad was originally exclusively aired in Australia and surrounding countries, but it has found its way on the internet. Since then, it caused a huge buzz internationally, especially in the United States. The commercial is thought of as racist, and KFC is accused of making use of an old racist stereotype by claiming that every black person loves fried chicken. It is interesting to notice that when the commercial aired in Australia, people did not react in the same way. So why is this ad such a sensitive issue in America?
Mick the Aussie supporter hands out the KFC bucket to the West Indian supporters, making everyone stop cheering.
Mick the Aussie supporter hands out the KFC bucket to the West Indian supporters, making everyone stop cheering.
The United States has had its issues with racism in the past, but they are still here in the present. During the segregation, black people were treated unequally. For example, they had to make use of other public services