I think that this ad is racist depending who you ask and how they see the world. If I’d seen this add just flipping through a magazine I might not have made the connection and thought about the positioning of these black men bowing to this white man in a corporate, office environment. Also, there is also a subliminal suggestion of slavery being that the runners are there to symbolize the power of this new processor, the power that this white man can “use”. LOL Gotta have some black people on staff in these ad agencies people…I’m a black techie…I buy technology too.
Here is Intel’s apology:
“Intel’s intent of our ad titled “Multiply Computing Performance and Maximize the Power of Your Employees” was to convey the performance capabilities of our processors through the visual metaphor of a sprinter. We have used the visual of sprinters in the past successfully. Unfortunately, our execution did not deliver our intended message and in fact proved to be insensitive and insulting. Upon recognizing this, we attempted to pull the ad from all publications but, unfortunately, we failed on one last media placement.
We are sorry and are working hard to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
Nancy Bhagat Vice President, Director of Integrated Marketing”
Isn’t that the way it always is. Whites do or say anything they want and then say they are sorry.
Then we say “Oh see, the didn’t mean any harm.”
I do not enjoy seeing black people bow down to any white person or to any people. I am a black computer repairman. I bought Intel product for years thinking they were a Equal Opportunity Employer, but, with this ad I think not and will start using AMD products. Thanks, Intel for showing me your true Color.
Well, I don’t know guys. While I see the potential negative symbolism of the ad, I also see that it is most likely an unfortunate error. As the first bit of text under the ad suggests, these sorts of problems can perhaps be avoided by having more blacks in the ad agencies or in other positions that have influence over the decision-making process. However, knowing nothing of the composition of the ad agency that Intel uses, this is a large supposition. It really doesn’t affect my purchasing decisions because I’m an AMD customer regardless.
The funny thing is that the black guy is not bowing down to the other guy….he’s getting ready to run a race and that’s the stance runners are in right before take off…the funnier thing is that if the sprinter were white and the guy in the middle black, nobody would have seen it as racist…that’s just the way the world is today….it’s racism upside down…
I agree with what Amyan has said. Since it matters here, I will state that I am a black male and work as a network engineer. How long will we as a people spend our time looking for things to be offended by, or associate racist motives with? We need to understand a couple of things.
First, there will ALWAYS be racism, both subtle and obvious. Get over it. As adults, you’re in the big leagues now. People will not always like you or treat you fairly. Put differently, “If someone hits me, I hit back, but if they just look at me funny, I ignore that.” Just when did we as a people become so sensitive?
Second, we [Black America] are rightly judged by the aggregate of our public behaviors and statements. When we appear so thin skinned in public forums, it only sends a message of irrational fanaticism that hurts our collective image. We have the Michael Vicks and OJ Simpsons of the world to embarrass us, but those commenting here are obviously educated, and need to [IMHO] consider more carefully what they say. If not, then we don’t have much to offer as contrast for the damage done by our less educated and responsible brothers and sisters.
Intel’s add attempted to recognize the power of a trained sprinter, nothing more Sure, the choices of actors was a big curious from our vantage point, but I do not for a moment believe there was any malicious intent.
John
We’ve all seen commercials where horsepower is represented by horses. Well, here the power of the processor is represented by black sprinters. These black sprinters are working (their power will be allocated) to the needs of this white man. I think there are some other symbols for power working on your behalf that could have been used other than black men. Whether they are in a sprinters stance or not…it’s implied that they are sub-servant. Intel understood the connotations of this in most people’s minds. If you don’t see it as racist, fine. Intel apologized…that says a lot.
John, I really am amazed by your response. “If not, then we don’t have much to offer as contrast for the damage done by our less educated and responsible brothers and sisters.” That’s almost offensive. It’s late…I’m not ready to deal with the other things you said…goodness. I’m black AND I actually like black people…
Hello Sista-
Perhaps when you’re better rested you’ll elaborate on WHY you are “amazed” by my response. Then perhaps we can have some meaningful dialog. Also, there is nothing patently wrong with offending someone, so I wonder why you would bother noting that. People are often offended in healthy debate, but we CAN ultimately learn from it if we choose. Finally, Intel apologized because it was good business to do so. I wouldn’t read anything more into that.
John-
I don’t think we can have meaningful dialog…I’m sorely sure. I like dialog…not debate for the sake of debate. Thanks for your comments.
PS: John, you should get a blog if you don’t already have one. I’m sure you could create a site that would be a hot bed of lively debate.
Well, it does take two. I’m working on the blog though. FWIW, I showed the Intel add to my wife, asking simply if she found it offensive. She saw nothing wrong with it either.
I feel compelled to respond to Amyan’s comments “The funnier thing is that if the sprinter were white and the guy in the middle black, nobody would have seen it as racist”
Amyan is right, for the wrong reason. Folks wouldn’t see the above scenario as racist because the HISTORY of the forced servitude (i.e., slavery) in the United States did not involve Blacks enslaving White men. It was the other way around. White men enslaved and exploited Blacks. Racism is not an equal opportunity repressor. It was created with malice and calculation.
Additionally, most people don’t recognize the “starter-block” position of sprinters. At first glance most people see several Black men bowing to a White man who is standing front & Center. First impressions are important impressions. The public doesn’t owe it to Intel to analyze the image and give them the benefit of the doubt. People are aware of what they SEE and the associations made and impression left by what they see.
I’m a graphic designer and I clearly understood the intentions of this ad, because i have been educated to think on that level when it comes to designing. The whole situation probably could’ve been avoided if they just removed the white male standing in the middle. Using a black male sprinter is symbolic to show speed and quickness. I don’t see any harm in that. However, the meaning was tainted with the figure standing in the middle. The ad now looked like it was showing power over a black male when that wasn’t the intention. I don’t believe Intel was trying to be racist but could’ve took an extra step in the design to proper message is conveyed to the audience. Thats one thing art school teach designer/ students, and it is drilled into my head every day while I’m in class. Who is your target audience? Consider race, age, ethnicity, sex, and religion.
Dino. That’s pretty much how I saw it too. The choice of the white actor was not a good one, but there was no malicious intent, only ignorance at best. It concerns me when we as a people get so heated about such things when we have real tangible problems that demand our attention.
I think the fact that there was no malicious intent is irrelevant to the dialogue of race relations. For the most part, people are not openly and deliberately racist, that’s the problem.Those who perpetuate negative stereotypes and the idea of a racial hierarchy are often unaware that they are doing it. Minorities in general have gotten used to being cut with the subtle knife of institutionalized marginalization, and tell themselves “Get over it,” but even if there is no malicious intent, it still hurts to be cut. Therefore, it is the responsibility of society as a whole to identify and call attention to evidence of this built-in racism. Yes it was a poorly designed ad, but the fact that they were either ignorant of or insensitive to the possible connotation based, not just on history, but current treatment of blacks as though inferiors, shows that it is a symptom of a larger problem. It is further evidence what many feel: that prejudice and discrimination based on race no longer exists and the effects of an ideology that fueled slavery have been erased. Why? Because they can’t see them. Yet, it is a tangible problem.
The reason why people get so heated in discussions about it is not the incident in itself, but what it represents. People feel frustrated when those who strike them with institutionalized racism, white or black, in ignorance or in hatred, refuse to acknowledge the injury they cause.
ES – You have done an excellent job of detailing what I believe to be the prevailing sentiment here. I do not know that I can agree wholly with your root premise, “those who perpetuate negative stereotypes and the idea of a racial hierarchy are often unaware that they are doing it.” I agree with you regarding negative stereotypes, however I do not see how someone could actively promote the idea of a racial hierarchy and be unaware of what they are doing. I believe the suggestion of a racial hierarchy to be the way many choose to interpret this ad, and I also believe that this is not without reason. Because of what our people have been through [and continue to experience in more subtle forms] we will always be sensitive to such things to varying degrees. The actual degree of sensitivity for any individual is largely based on environmental factors as far as I can tell. But how far should we go in monitoring everything that hits the airwaves or the presses for racial undertones that may or may not even be intentional?
There will always be racial tension in this country and the world over. I even maintain that if the tables had been turned 400+ years ago, we might have done similar things to whites. As I’m sure you know, in other parts of the world, blacks did own slaves. It is completely despicable in my opinion, yet it is also basic human nature.
Intel choose to apologize for their ad. Don Imus also apologized for his recent “remarks,” but this does nothing to address the true sentiment of either. If Intel had racist motives when producing this ad, those motives remain. The same is true for Mr Imus. Apologies do nothing more than massage the sensitivity of the offended, and exonerate the perpetrators of the offense in many cases. If Intel ever does truly offend me, I’ll let them know with my wallet, but they can keep their apologies.
Finally, the notion of a racial hierarchy in America is no notion at all. It is an absolute [yet unfortunate] reality. One day this may change and whites may find themselves in the minority seats. It is my belief, however, that no matter which race occupies this position, they will surely oppress others to some degree.
Again, thanks for your well expressed thoughts.
As I see it, some blacks in the US enjoy their Victum status and always have the “race card” ready to play when it suits them. There are those that scream “restitution” for the sins of our forefathers and their own forefathers that held and sold slaves (I am white and my family was poor and had no property, let alone slaves). Then there are those that prefer segregation and form entities like the Rainbow Coalition, Black Entertainment Television, Ms Black America contests. I have friends that I really would have to stop and think if asked how many black friends that I have because to me they are just friends.
I guess it is your point of view. If that same ad came out with white runners, someone would complain that the blacks are not getting hired by Intel. Come on, you are going to have to decide if you want to be included in our society regardless of your skin color or not.
Can you imagine the ruckus if someone started the White Entertainment Television or the White Ms America pagent?
How about the National Association for the Advancement of White People? Some people will always be victims and form raced based groups and point at the whites as racests.
Tommy,
“Included in our society…” true colors are a b**ch aren’t they???. Your slip is showing.
Television, Ms. America…there were no black faces to be seen when either began. Thus the need for Black controlled/operated media and events. These all black entities you speak of were created out of a need, not out of a desire to separate from Whites or other races. You might assume that because it’s just that type of mindset (one that seeks to separate) that birthed Jim Crow and Segregation. I find that America’s history would suggest that White Americans have sought to separate themselves many times over compared to African Americans (who fought for integration).
Thank you for your comments. I love it when people like you come to Hello, Negro and comment. Many times black people don’t believe me when I talk about how insensitive and assuming many white folks still are when it comes to race. Racist…you probubly wouldn’t consider yourself that…however…if you ask your “friends” who’s color you don’t see to read the comments you left here…I don’t think they would agree.
Dear Tommy,
I’ts the 21st Century. Where have you been? I’m astounded and amused at your rhetoric. How many good White Racists claim that “some of my best friends are Black . . . “? Well, truth be told, many of my best friends are White and they’re all racist. They’re not mean-spirited or malicious, to the contrary, they’re basically good people, but they’re ignorant about race relations and the implications of America’s unique racial history. They’re not even conscious of their racism. They’re just clueless. They seem to believe that racism is an equal opportunity notion and that Blacks are equally responsible for white racism as whites are.
My beloved (but shallow) white friends have never had to look beyond their own noses, experiences and comfort zones to try to understand why the experience of Blacks in America is drastically different from the experience of Whites—even those white’s whose families were poor as well as those whites whose families did not own slaves.
Tommy, I’m sorry to inform you, but there actually is a NAAWP (National Association for the Advancement of White People). I believe that it was founded by Klan leader David Duke. There are also White separatist and terrorist groups out there such as Aryan Nation, KKK, John Burch Society, The Metzgers, Neo Nazis, Skin Heads and other white supremacist groups.
what do your Black friends think or even know about these groups? What do you think about them? What do you think about liberal Whites who don’t explore their own racial misunderstandings and misinformation?
sista
“Included in our society…” true colors are a b**ch aren’t they???. Your slip is showing.”
True colors? Did I mistakenly include you in our society? I am sorry, I thought we were all American here. My bad.
bb
I guess according to your outlook, I must be one of the non-mean spirited but ignorant and clueless racist white folk you talk about.
I am truly sorry that you see me in that light. I am sorry that you think all of your white friends are racists also. The Nazi’s were racists and were determined to exterminate non-whites. I assure you your friends and I are not racists in that context. In what racist context do you see your friends and myself?
BTW, one of my black friends directed me to this forum. If I am unwelcome, I will leave you alone to spew your racial separatism.
It is my wish that we all move forward as Americans into the new century together.
Tommy,
You said “Come on, you are going to have to decide if you want to be included in our society regardless of your skin color or not.” That is not an inclusive statement. Come on, really???? I’m sorry. That is some under-the-surface subconscious racism. Just like when people say “you people”. You can come back later and try to defend your self, that’s cool.
In the end, I suggest that you ask the friend who suggested that you visit this blog (not a forum…but we’re planning to launch one) to read your comments and the comments that they’ve generated and you guys can discuss it. I don’t know you. I think that in light of actually knowing you, knowing that you are not a racist, knowing that your love all people and want racial unity…etc, they may have a different take. However, I don’t know you. And like most people I MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. So, did you.
That is what this Intel ad is all about. Assumptions. Assumptions about meaning. I made assumptions about the meaning of your comments. That’s just life. My assumptions are based on the truth that I live. You don’t live my truth, my truth as an African American woman, and you never will understand my perspective fully.
However, I thank you for visiting and engaging in dialog, uncomfortable as it may be. We have to stop pussy footing around the issues and say how we really really feel. That is when we will see real change and real harmony, when we are real. Being real…I feel your comments were very insensitive and I have no problem letting you know, knowing full well you may not understand. If I don’t tell you the truth…I can’t help you understand me.
Healing is uncomfortable…this is a good dialog. The hell with sugar coating..I like this.
Sista,
I stand by my comment. You really need to decide if you are going to embrace all that this great country offers or continue to look for ways of being a victim. When I see that ad, I get the point they are trying to make. Their new processor is powerful. Showing fine runners at the starting block ready to take off at blazing speed. It would have had the same impact if the runners were white. Don’t you agree? I guess not, you see the ad as some sort of white supremacy signal for white people to keep the black man down. Don’t you see the irony here? These athletes were probably picked over others because of their athleticism. The probably were paid handsomely for their work and because of some ancient misdeeds from our forefathers, you see it as racist stunt. I’ll bet those athletes don’t feel like they were being put down by the man.
From were this country was in the 1960′s, we’ve come a long way baby sista. BTW, I am not a Italian-American because my forefathers came here from Italy. I am a 5th generation American. I’ve never been to Italy and don’t speak the language and don’t consider myself to be a hyphenated American. We have American troupes of all colors fighting and dying for OUR (thats meant to be inclusive) country. In that context, we are all Americans.
Tommy,
Please re-read my last comment. Assumptions are what this is all about. You are assuming that you know what I think about the ad. You don’t know. Ask me what I think and you’ll know. Then we can have a dialog, and stop assuming.
I don’t have to decide anything, I’m very clear about who I am and where I live. I’ve never taken the victim role, my people have been victimized. I assume you are a victim and to be a victim are too different things. Victims have a right to their experience. For example: You don’t get to tell a rape victim that she can’t tell her story or that her negative experience can’t affect her life because you don’t like what she has to say because someone you know if a criminal or a rapist and you don’t think criminals and rapists should be judged/have assumptions made about them. Right?
To me, what is disturbing about this advertisement is its reference and reinforcement of the idea that the black man is just a body, a faceless, physical creature, devoid of intellect, culture, or will.
It’s so sad. It’s not brand new. Our situation is not up and coming. It has been the devil’s work for years and years. This ad is not something that should have even been considered an option. God bless their hearts.
In response to John: Since when did it become ok to “get over racism”? The Defamation League says it is never ok and we never get over it. Racism, bigotry and defamation of any kind, etc., needs to be stamped out. Are you sure you are who you say you are?
For anyone who cares, while it’s very complicated overall, much of the misunderstanding that many Whites have in dealing with “racism” and so forth, is tied up in a little something called “White Privilege.”
Being White and born and raised in America, I automatically earned some privilages just for being White. It didn’t matter that I was born into severe poverty, that I spent about 4 or 5 years living in the then White projects, and that I was the fourth child born with 3 sibling who each had a different father and that my mother was put in prison a year after my birth and that I ended up moving back and forth in and out of children’s homes and foster care and with my mother until age nine, at which time I was placed into another Children’s home and for the next 8 years shipped from home to home to home every year. (I had 17 sets of parents by the time I was 17-years old). No! None of that really mattered to the rest of society because if I cut my hair, cleaned up my language, went to church and facked I wasn’t poor or in a children’s home, I got a lot of points just for being White.
Having experienced the life of a bottom cast child in America certainly helped me “empathize” with what other people were and are going through, however, once I “overcame” many of the obsticles facing me and my family and our name, I obtained my college degree and except for the fact that I had very long hair and a rebel attitude, I fit in rather nicely and was able to begin taking advantage of my Whiteness. What I mean is that, other than my hair, I never had to worry about whether or not the color of my skin would prevent me from getting a job or eating at a certain restaurant. If I cut my hair I never had to worry that some White woman was going to clutch her purse or that someone was going to lock their car doors because I crossed in front of them at the light.
Being White, I could and still can make certain adjustments in order to participate in the Whites only clubs that exist everywhere in this country. (I’m not talking about the overt Whites only golf clubs, but rather, I’m referring to the more subtle clubs, such as those that put we White folks in a position of never having to consider how our Whiteness is affecting us or those around us).
And even though my experiences as a person who has been treated unfairly because of my social status or the length of my hair etc. etc., I have the ability based on my natural born complexion to rise above all that, where most people of color do not. That is the benefit of White Privilege and until we understand just how privileged we are because of being born this color in this country, we may never understand what people of other colors feel like when they see things like those displayed in the INTEL ad.
There’s more but I have almost run out of time.
Lastly,
Conservative racism is based on an overt hatred, a strong but often denied fear and a belief that Whites are the superior race. Liberal racism is based on more loosely fitting things like, how can I (the great White hero) help you poor folks out? The subconscious thought being that you can’t help yourself. Having said that, I want to conclude by saying that racism is a two way street and is not based on power verses lack of power. Racism is an idea, an attitude and a feeling. Racism is not discrimination because it is not an action, but rather a thought. Discrimination may be based on racism but they are not the same thing. Discrimination is the act of doing something, not thinking about doing it or why you want to do it.
One does not need to be in power in order to have the idea, the attitude and/or the feeling that one is better than another, just look at the Old Testemant when the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt yet they always believed they were the “chosen people” and therefore better than all Gentiles, including their masters. We need to get on the same page of understanding in this arena especially or we may never communicate to where we really understand where the other is coming from.
Lucem
Racism is an idea that has hands, feed, head, moth, and ears. Racism is an idea that materializes into behavior. Ideas kill. Just ask Hiltler. The chosen Israel histrically andeven today (as we study history), held on to an idea they beleived from God as being chosen, but this idea today and historically (even to spiritual Jews), does not preclude them from behaving righteously. The True Jew is one in their heart, adn the model to follow is Yeshua Messiah. He loved.
Historically in America, the idea of racism has transferred into the marketplace of ideas, that we call business and commerce.Whether intentional or unintentional racism (the idea that black folk are less than human, and that another people; who are in the majority have the God given right to subject them, relagate them, and direct them to whatever benefits them socially or economically) still exists. What we are encountering in America is an awakening of a sleeping dog because ‘every closed eye ain’t sleep.’ Racism is shaking herself amidst of our post modern culturalism of relativism partnering with a hip hop generation. Cultural relevancy must be sought in every aspect of the marketplace. If we were in Japan business would seek to ensure that unintentional offenses were not commited due to a respect not of the culture per see, but of the almight dollar…money potentialy being thwarted. But since we (African Americans) are not viewed by our economic prowess (in the same arena) mistakes such as this will continue. We are non-thought, yet an after thought of apologetics. “It is easier to apologize than to ask permission.” It seems as if what is in the hearts of individuals and corporations is ‘seeping out’ these days. What defiles a man is not what is put into their mouths but what comes out of their hearts. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…ideas.
Cheryl, you said, “Racism is an idea that has hands, feed, head, moth, and ears. Racism is an idea that materializes into behavior. Ideas kill. Just ask Hiltler.”
But it’s stil an idea, a point of view that once it grows feet and hands can inflict more harm than words do. Ideas do not kill and ideas should never be limited or restricted, only actions need be restricted because if we limit even the ideas, beliefs and hopes of monsters we limit the ideas, hopes and beliefs of everyone. It is the action that must be dealt with and that’s why there are laws against discrimination, not against ideas. True, ideas often fuel and can be major influential parts of what leads to (certain actions) discrimination but they are not the act of discrimination, therefore, within my definition of racism, anyone can be racist, whether having the most power or the least power.
Cheryl, you said, “The chosen Israel histrically and even today (as we study history), held on to an idea they beleived from God as being chosen, but this idea today and historically (even to spiritual Jews), does not preclude them from behaving righteously. The True Jew is one in their heart, adn the model to follow is Yeshua Messiah. He loved.”
If one wants to get to the front of the line of apologetic thinking one can begin here. Neither the historical nor the present Hebrew is “chosen” by any god; However, the idea, of which you have agreed, that they believe they are the chosen people (something many Christians believe is true of the Hebrews) does not remove them from the racist issue of placing themselves above all others. Just because they believe God chose them does not mean it is so and does not justify that form of racism or ethnocism or culturalism. Furthermore, I find it almost impossible to believe that when a person or a people believe they are above the rest of the world they can do so and behave “righteoulsy. This is a Liberal and apologists mistake. The fact that they believe they are “cholsen” above all others makes them “Daddy” and the rest of us pupils or children. Liberal racism is often hidden behind the face of we Whites thinking we are the good caring parent come to raise your children and make sure your life is better because we know how to do that for you…..This is also very similar to how many Christians on the Right see themeslves, as Ann Coulter pointed out several weeks ago when she said that Jews need to be “perfected.” In otherwords, they need to come to Jesus so they can be pure. (Just ask Ms. Coulter, she knows what you and I do not.) Well, Hebrews feel they are already pure. It’s the same thing but it should not be against the law to think it, say it or believe it, however, we cannot permit that idea to become an action that hurts people because of their religion or race or gender or sexual identity or sexual attraction or mental stability or physical abilities or whatever.
Cheryl, you said, “Historically in America, the idea of racism has transferred into the marketplace of ideas, that we call business and commerce.Whether intentional or unintentional racism (the idea that black folk are less than human, and that another people; who are in the majority have the God given right to subject them, relagate them, and direct them to whatever benefits them socially or economically) still exists.”
I believe that unrestricted capitalism leads to slavery and causes great divides between rich and poor, no healthcare, pollution, child labor, and much much more that is unhealthy for those not benefiting from the corporate riches. America once was this nation of unrestricted capitalists and most conservatives would love nothing better than to get back to those “good ole days” but through the developmet of unions and limited socialistic thinking, along with some pretty cool Christians, such as the Quakers and others, those at the bottom fought hard and eventually “earned” what is their god given right to participate in the overall economy of the rich, Blacks included. Remember this, America would have no middle class had it not been for the unions, and without the middle class, you have a much smaller Civil Rights Movement and a very tiny anti-war 1960’s revolution, as it was the middle class and their joining in on the revolution that led to such powerful movements during those days.
(I’m not going even pretend, however, that unions initially liked Black people or that they did not do everything they could to stop Blacks from moving north to take union jobs away from Whites, but as history reveals, the idea of unionizing is such a powerful and wonderful tool, eventually, all races benefited from them.) Blacks went into trades, transportation, sanitation and more and unionized by the millions, forcing White business owners, the mafia and White unions to accept the fact that a new day had dawned in America. But now look, America has discovered ways of eliminatng 30% of unions over the past 25 years and our nation, Black and White and Brown is suffering as a result.
Cheryl, you said, “What we are encountering in America is an awakening of a sleeping dog because ‘every closed eye ain’t sleep.’ Racism is shaking herself amidst of our post modern culturalism of relativism partnering with a hip hop generation. Cultural relevancy must be sought in every aspect of the marketplace. If we were in Japan business would seek to ensure that unintentional offenses were not commited due to a respect not of the culture per see, but of the almight dollar…money potentialy being thwarted.”
I don’t want to pick all that you say apart but I believe there needs to be a little more perspective here. The Japanese are as racist as any nation of people. Just because they purchase our products like 18-year olds on cocaine doesn’t mean their deep rooted ideologies are not current and thriving in this country. It’s japanese owned Sony and other record labels that produce huge amounts of racist, sexist bigoted materials. When in Rome…is the mantra of the Japanese. When in America, they give us what sells. There is no higher moral ground that anyone stands on when it comes to all that kind of money. Besides, it was a pretty cool White American named Deming (spelling?) who, after WW11 took his principals of economics and his business savy to Japan and taught the struggling Japanese how to run a business. His model is one in which the highest paid CEO makes only 7% more than the lowest paid floor sweeper. Japan loved and used his model and within 30 years had become the most respected business folks in the world. Yet, greed changes things and today we see the ongoing philosophy of grab, grab and grab some more everywhere we turn.
Cheryl, you said, “But since we (African Americans) are not viewed by our economic prowess (in the same arena) mistakes such as this will continue. We are non-thought, yet an after thought of apologetics. “It is easier to apologize than to ask permission.” It seems as if what is in the hearts of individuals and corporations is ’seeping out’ these days. What defiles a man is not what is put into their mouths but what comes out of their hearts. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…ideas.”
I really do not know in what context you were speaking above, sorry. However, Tony Brown of Tony Brown’s Journal, PBS Sundays, and author of Black Lies White Lies and more, said in the 1990’s that the Internet is where Black people need to go in order to start businesses. He believed then and still does I assume, that money is green and if there is no face/color behind the money, no one will know that they are buying from or selling to a person of color. It’s almost 15 years since the Internet and I’d be willing to bet that there are few Black leaders out there pushing this idea or funding opportunities. But I hope I’m wrong.
Robert Woodson Jr. was another Black man who taught about empowering Blacks and others through the use of things like Community Development Corporations. People like Jessie Jackson and Sharpton countered Mr. Woodson because, I believe anyway, that they do not want to see African Americans participating fully in the economy of the world. I believe that is true because, once African Americans reach the level of economic status of Whites (including Jews) and Asians, Sharpton and Jackson will have less to fixate on and their advice will bring them less gold. It’s all about money, and it always has been, just ask the moneychanges in Chrst’s day and anyone today.
Sorry, In the above near essay what I meant to say when referencing the Deming affect on Japanese businesses post WW2 was that the CEO makes only 7 times not 7% more than the lowest paid floor sweeper.
GET A GRIP PEOPLE. WHY OH WHY DO WE HAVE TO TAKE EVERY THING AND MAKE A MAJOR BLACK OR WHITE ISSUE. LETS JUST BE HUMAN BEINGS RUN AN AD, BUY THE PRODUCT OR NOT. GENERATION AFTER GENERATION, WILL ALWAYS PLAY DETECTIVE, ANALYST, OR JUDGE AND JURY. WHY CAN’T WE JUST TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND BE HAPPY MOST OF THE TIME.
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO JUST ALLOWING THINGS TO BE SIMPLE, AND YOUR OWN OPINION. SOCIETY SEEMS TO ALWAYS HAVE A NEGATIVE SAY ABOUT ALMOST EVERYTHING. I AM A BLACK FEMALE, SAW THE AD, READ IT, AND MOVED ON. I DID NOT MAKE MORE OF IT THEN IT WAS, BUT MAYBE SOME PEOPLE DON’T HAVE ALOT TO DO, SO THEY CREATE SOMETHING. I’M CLOSING TO WAIT FOR A NEGATIVE RESPONSE.
Lesielou.
That is your way of seeing things but why should everyone be like you? First off, the question you ask or state about people allowing things to be simple is naive. When something “bad” is thrown in your face, it may be perfectly fine for you to “move on” but you and your way is not the only or perhaps even the best way of dealing with things percieived as bad or painful or destructive.
We all don’t just get along because we can’t all just get along. When Rodney King said those words he was being a naive idealist to the enth degree but the reality of this is that it is impossible for us all to get along, therefore, to request or demand it of us is crazy and unnatural. Not everyone is a pacifist. Not everyone swings back right away and some people swing in anticipation of being hit. No one way is right all the time and it’s arrogant and self-righteous of anyone to project their way on to the rest of the world. Personally, i think it was stupid for Ghandi to walk 300,000 people into death by way of his peaceful march on the British gunmen, but perhaps more would have died and less been accomplished had he armed his Indian people and killed the British. No one really knows what is going to work so it’s insane to say do it this way or else. No Liberal or Conservative or White or person of color can speak for everyone, nor should they.
A friend of mine use to say that there was never a non-violent revolution, that was before Maurice Bishop took over Granada without firing a shot. Now we know that revolutions can come without blood shed, however, let us not forget that there is a line that will not be crossed by many who appose the revolution, therefore, shots will need to be fired in order to make changes and both sides will justify quite well their use of bullets.
This is about an ad that struck certain people the wrong way. Some got offended and some complained and apparently there were no shots fired. That’s a good sign perhaps but just remember that it took a civil war to make other changes and a violent and turbulant 50′s and 60′s to make even more progress.
If these big companies had blacks on their marketing and advertisement boards then most of this would not exist. Of course there are black people that have no problem with ads like these and it is sad that we as a people are always defending ourselves and being called thin skinned for it. When Jews and others protest, then it’s ok, but it’s not for blacks. Stop attacking one another and realize that if we don’t say something then it is ok to degrade us. White folks need to stop being insensitive and start hiring all people so that they don’t have to continue to post apologies.
I really wonder if this ad would have been seen as racist if the guy in the center was a black man or a hispanic or asian? Or if there were all white people in the ad? Or all asian? Or all hispanic/latino, etc.?
As a sister who has grown up Pan-African, I actually see nothing wrong with this ad except that the makers of this ad did not account for the thin skin of my people. We love to talk about all our accomplishments and how we have survived through the brutality of the ages; and now the new solution is to act as if, by race, we cannot be featured in ad that, back in the day, we would have been no where around. We have gone from “Massa gon’ beat me if he finds out I can read” to “The White man always want the black man to bow down to him”. While both may be true, everything ‘he’ does is not always act in conscious reflection of that fact.
Think about this the next time you find yourself offended by white racist words and deeds:
Africans and Africa are the foundation of everything in the world as we know it.
We were the first enslavers, the first to be technologically advanced, the first to have written and visual languages, the fastest people on Earth, and the most resilient. We truly are the best warriors and the most diplomatic of all people. We are a proud people who like to be remembered for our accomplishments (although we, ourselves don’t always remember them).
The whole world has envied us for something, either our height, the ability to carry our weight, the size of our families, our land, our resources, our culture, our music, our religions, our ability to understand the rythym of the planets and the stars, our bond with nature, our EVERYTHING
…
Herein lies the key: Don’t allow disproportionate images to undermind our abilities to continue to excel in all things.
Just because they make a picture of some athletes in starter’s pose in some cubicles surrounding a european decendent, doesn’t mean that we are always going to be viewed as slaves.
But remember this: As long as we rely on their technology while we are consumed with proud thoughts, all the while buying into ‘bling’ (cars, clothes, and shoes) industries, believing every word of their media hype, and actually paying our hard earned money for the very things they supply and make us believe we need to “Keep up with the Jones”, and so on, we ARE their slaves. More importantly, we continue to be slaves to poverty thinking.
DO This: Learn the skills necessary to be efficient, enterprising and self sufficient without using methods of oppression to accomplish our goals. Only then will we succeed. Only then will we be TRULY free. Only then will ads like this discontinue their ability to be topics of our discussion.
Does everyone have to play the race card? I see nothing wrong with this. I understand what people might think but I don’t think they are having them bow down. As you can see in the photo, The men are touching the ground. I like it.
I’m astounded at the comments here…not that there’s disagreement over whatever subliminal message this ad may or may not possess, but about the sheer hysteria evinced by those who are convinced that “we” — “we” being those hyper-sensitive ivory tower blacks, apparently — need to get over it. I’m sorry, but jigga what?
Sista posted the ad and asked for opinions in what seemed to me to be in thoughtful, measured tones. Her first line is “I think this ad is racist depending on who you ask and how they see the world.” She notes from the beginning that she doesn’t expect everyone to see the ad in the same way; nor does she overstate the ad’s subliminal content by asserting that Intel deliberately set out to disseminate a racist message. And yet from the beginning, the furious naysayers started bleating about how we need to not rush to judgment, how blacks are too sensitive and rush to play the race card, that we’re damning a perfectly innocent company, etc. etc etc. Damn!
Can we first off acknowledge that your inability to see what I see/refusal to assign it the same meaning/indifference to marketing doesn’t negate MY right to have an opinion? And can we all finally recognize that intent does not equal effect? The ad execs behind this ad were, I’m sure, completely innocent of consciously making a racist ad. But that doesn’t mean that the final ad is free of affect. For goodness sakes. Advertising is all about recognizing how people are likely to respond to certain imagery. Some of us are simply saying that ONE of the ways this DOES look is fishy. You don’t see it that way? Fine. But just because I do doesn’t mean I’ve been brainwashed by some black militants’ cabal.