TYT: Australia Comes After TYT On Racist(?) KFC Ad Controversey

[ihavenobias]

Run time: 09:07 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_StDMpVhDk   Posted on YouTube: January 07, 2010 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: January 07, 2010 By DU Member: ihavenobias Views on DU: 4197

 
Summary: Ana and Jayar discussed an Australian KFC ad that and . Some pointed out that the fried chicken stereotype doesn't exist there and that this was in the context of the West Indes and Cricket, while others confused criticism of KFC with criticism of Australia. So they sent countless emails and left thousands of comments about "typical ignorant Americans" etc. The Australian media took notice, and the story was written up in and Ana was interviewed yesterday by Australian radio and tv stations. Finally, Jayar wrote a blog today in response to the hate mail ().

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[howard112211]

1. Ironically, TYT have now contributed to the spreading of the stereotype.

I wonder if TYT learned anything from this incident.

However, it doesn't appear so: They spend the entire segment on lecturing "the Australians" why they should understand that this clearly fulfills a racist stereotype in our culture instead of asking themselves what THEY did wrong.

I watched the initial TYT video and it clearly can be understood criticism of Australia.
Perhaps they should have putten more emphasis on the fact that this is about KFC and not about Australia, if that is
what they meant.

I find it perfectly conceivable that the KFC ad, which clearly beyond the shadow of a doubt fulfills a racist stereotype in the USA, does not appear as in any way "racial" to people from somewhere else, that didn't grow up with this particular type of racial tension of the USA.

(the Korean one is a different story. That one is clearly overboard as Cenk correctly notes)

I wonder if it ever occured to TYT that, out of "cultural sensitivity", it might have been wise to check whether other people
are quickly offended by accusations of bigotry.

Sure, KFC should have known better, the fault lies with them, but Ana also should have known better than to spout those "This is so racist, this is Australia lines."

That might pass in the USA, because people usually are afraid to defend themselves when accused of bigotry, but apparently the Australians are different.

The point to be taken for TYT: OUR cultural stereotypes are irrelevant to others. Other people are in no way required to know them or be sensitive of them while operating within their own culture.

In any case: If Australians didn't know that this video is racist in the USA, they clearly do now.

[ihavenobias]

2. Ana never accused Australians of bigotry

She accused KFC of creating a racist ad for Australia. Period. That doesn't necessarily mean she was correct or that the ad had racist intentions (etc.), but I want to make that point very clear. The defensive reaction from some is over the top. It's one thing to explain the cultural differences that lead to different interpretations, I'm all for that. Most of us here are bored to tears by cricket, but you may be bored to tears by American Football and so it goes. But there's no reason to pretend that she was attacking Australia and Australians when that was so clearly not her point.

PS---Ana and Jayar weren't the first to (correctly or incorrectly) conclude that the ad was racist, just an FYI: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/05/kfcs-racist-ad-australian_n_412002.html

[howard112211]

3. The video I am referring to is this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaIhf41ctkM

They are not directly saying that Australians are racist, but I can see how someone would understand it that way.

The ad, btw, is definately racist in the USA.

But before I know anything about Cricket or Australia and Brazil or the West Indies and the interrelations of such, I will
not judge whether Australians should perceive this as racist.

[ihavenobias]

5. I know

That's the commercial that others jumped on before TYT: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/05/kfcs-racist-ad-australian_n_412002.html

As someone outside of Australia, I in no way took the commentary to suggest that Australians themselves are racist. In fact I was never presented with that idea until I saw the massive defensive backlash which put words in Ana's mouth. This is about a KFC ad made for Australians who are not any more or less racist than Americans as far as I know. Rather, there's simply a different cultural context. I personally don't fault Australians for being unaware of the American fried chicken stereotype anymore than I fault Americans for not being aware of the sport of cricket. I think that's basically what it boils down to, nothing more, nothing less.

[howard112211]

22. The thing is, that to a lot of people charges of racism weigh very heavy

such that no one wants to be associated with them in any way.

I think that this is generally a good thing: We want people to take racism seriously. We should be glad if people care whether they
are racists or not.

And like with any heavy accusation: The burden of proof lies with the accuser.

No one said "Australians are racist". They did, however, use the word "racist" and "Australia" excessively together in sentences in a way
that one has to watch the clip more than once to figure out whether they were actually accusing anyone.

I think a good way to determine how one should treat issues of racism is to replace the word "racist" by some other grueseome word, like "child molester" and then consider whether the things one says might be misunderstood by someone in that context. When talking about child molestation we would generally take extra precautions not to associate a person with it by accident, simply because we know how heavy an accusation that would be.

[zeemike]

8. The Australians are no different than we are Howard.

They have their racist just as we do here.
Back in 1967 I was involved in training flight officers and we had some Aussies come through the program and I got to talk to many of them...I remember one conversation where one of them told me that they did not have racial problems because they did not let black people to live there....that was policy then as far as immigration.
so they were no different then than we were at that point in history, they just kept them away and we had to come to grips with our racism.
Well the Aussies did change but they still have the same racist that we do but they are not speaking out like they did then.
And they actually may have come farther than we have....
Because this is about the hidden racist....in this case KFC corporate heads that new the stereo type was there but thought they would use it anyway....they could not use it here but they would use it there and titillate the racist down under.

[howard112211]

23. Sure. Racism exists in any every country.

I guess the issue here was rather whether a broad brush was used.

[zeemike]

26. It did not appear that way to me

But we all see things differently.

[Raineyb]

24. I saw that ad and it's racist anywhere.

The inferences that are made about black people with that ad are blatant and there's no bloody excuse for it.

KFC is an American company. (For the moment) It is not an accident that they had this commercial made and aired it there. They know damn well that that commercial or one similar to that at an American football game or whatever would not fly. And why the hell is it okay that they spread that rather nasty stereotype to other countries? What it's not enough for the bigots here to treat us like shit they want to be able to feed these asinine images to bigots in other parts of the world too? Lovely.

[sushi]

6. I'm bored to tears

by cricket AND American Football, and golf too. zzzzzzz I like tennis!
Oh, I'm also bored by these two (Ana and Jayar)!

[sushi]

4. Good grief!

So much fuss about an ad for KFC. I read that 82% of Australians (maybe more now) don't find it racist at all. What's wrong with the critics. Why are Americans so obsessed with race. Ligthen up! Move on!

So the majority of African Americans like fried chicken. I think many people all over the world like fried chicken. I don't eat KFC because I'm watching my weight and skin, and I prefer roast chicken.

This is so very stupid! Much ado about nothing!

[DRex]

7. TYT taking this one way too far... Not racist.

Not racist at all. Firstly because it's an American stereotype. Should everyone across the world ban images of black people eating chicken?

And anyway, what is racist about that? Everyone likes chicken! Except veggies. And if black people like it more often, then who cares? It may be a stereotype, but that doesn't make it racist. Is it racist to say that Indian people like naan bread, or Arabs like Tabouli, or English people like tea? WTF?

A bit hypersensitive if you ask me.

[zeemike]

9. And before fried chicken it was watermelon.

And I am old enough to remember a time before KFC

Everyone likes watermelon I suppose except carnivores.
You don't get it, it is not about chicken.

[DRex]

17. It's not about chicken for you maybe...

for the ad agency, I am perfectly willing to accept that it was entirely about chicken.

The context of the ad is two nations coming together in sport, and then coming together in a commonly loved food: chicken.

How can you expect everyone in the world to be sensitive to, or even aware of, some ridiculous American stereotype?

In the words of Dave Chapelle (more or less):
"Just cause I eat chicken and watermelon they think there is something wrong with me...
Let me tell you something: if you don't like chicken and watermelon something is wrong with you!
Where are all these people who don't like chicken and watermelon?"

What the hell is offensive about liking chicken? Definitely one of the most harmless stereotypes I have ever heard. But that's not even the point. They clearly had no intention of referencing said stereotype, which I have never heard anywhere else than in America, and then only out of the mouths of black people having a laugh. You can't expect people all over the world to be ever vigilant never to mention chicken and black people in the same conversation. It's absurd.

What a waste of righteous indignation.

[zeemike]

25. Well perhaps I am too sensitive

After all I am a white man and no one seems to stereo type me to sell more food.

But I also know and understand the history of all of this because I have lived long enough to have seen racism at it's worst.
The Genesis of this stereo type of black people loving watermelon and fried chicken goes way back to the days of slavery.
Yes they like watermelon because for them it would be the only sweet and pleasant thing that they might get all year long because they could grow it for themselves, and chickens could be raised easily and so they liked chicken when they could have it.
And so when they were depicted to the world there image was of them eating watermellon....just check out some black memorabilia sometimes....
And Dave Chapel's comments were not diminishing this stereo type he was pointing it out in the way he always dose.
Did you ever see him when he played a Klan member?

TYT has every right to call out an American corporation for using this stereo typing, and I support it.

[sushi]

10. An associate professor

at the University of Sydney said that reaction to the ad reflected the "insularity" of the American people. "They have a tendency to think that their history is more important than that of other countries."

[ihavenobias]

11. Let's say that's true.

What country doesn't think that? You can argue it's a matter of extent, but that's about it IMO. Same with nationalism. As much as I get annoyed with fake flag wavers saying America can do no wrong, I know that blind/obnoxious nationalism is not unique to the US. Maybe a little worse than some countries, but let's not pretend it stands alone on the issue.

[liberation]

13. What does the tangent you took have to do with the content of the previous poster?

?

[ihavenobias]

14. Is that a joke? n/t

[liberation]

12. It is called projection... and wanting to have it all both ways.

Americans are extremely good at that.

[izquierdista]

20. What history?

My (French) cousin was once grilled by Immigration when she arrived on a flight. He accused her of trying to get in on a tourist visa instead of having the proper student visa. He asked what her major was in college and she said "history". He then came out with "A-ha, you're here to study American History, aren't you?!" To which she replied (in all sincerity) "what history?", which only inflamed him further.

[LBJDemocrat]

15. I don't get it.

What's racist about portraying blacks being pleased to eat fried chicken? Fried chicken is a popular dish among black Americans.

What about Mexicans and burritos?
Chinese people and fried rice, noodles, etc.?
Germans and bratwurst?
Italians and pizza? Would a logo of a mustached, dark-haired man be inappropriate on a pizza carton?

[axollot]

16. Rupert started in Australia....he has lots of creepy fingers everywhere.

[DRex]

18. Well that's irrelevant.

Dick Cheney is from the United States of America. How do you like being associated with him?

Talk about stereotyping.

[izquierdista]

19. FU, Americans

Must you go traipsing all over the world turning over every rock to see what you can get offended by? I bet you would shit your pants if you came across this picture:

And many of these are within sight of San Diego, if you have a good telescope. For someone with a foreign heritage Cenk, you sure have assimilated American sensitivities.

[ejbr]

27. If an Australian company

ran an ad in America with a white man giving Aborigines alcohol in order to calm them down, would Australians think it racist?

[suede1]

21. K&R

[Turborama]

28. A huge debate about this has exploded on Snopes' forum...

Here: http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=55497

My take on this. Whoever created the advert knew that Australians would get the stereotype. The advert doesn't make any sense without it.

[ihavenobias]

29. TYT is getting a TON of hate from many Australians, especially Ana.

It's out of control really, the misdirected anger. Why not just explain the cultural differences rather than taking it personally? Granted, a small number of the people contacting us are doing just that, but overall it's a ton of hatemail and other tactics meant to intimidate, annoy, etc.

[Raineyb]

30. My guess? They're pissed because they know damn well it's racist

and the "cultural difference" excuse is bullshit. The ad doesn't work at all without the stereotype of black people being so in love with fried chicken as the only white guy in the shot doesn't eat any of the damn chicken in the first place.

I suspect that they know damn well what the stereotype is and they understand it perfectly and are pissed because they've been called out on it as there are (hopefully) many more who know damn well how racist that ad is and are embarrassed by it.

[Karenina]

31. Racism in Australia

http://www.racismnoway.com.au/library/understanding/index-What.html

In Australia, racism is inextricably linked to the history of colonisation and migration.

The original inhabitants, Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, were dispossessed of their land and were discriminated against by the first British and European settlers. For some Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, the process of colonisation has been perceived as invasion. Racial discrimination has continued to influence the lives of Indigenous Australians in the two centuries following white settlement.

The migration of peoples from all parts of the world led to the increased cultural and linguistic diversity of the Australian population. Prejudice and discrimination have been directed towards many groups who arrived in Australia, in particular towards groups from language backgrounds other than English, despite the fact that many government migration schemes invited people to settle in Australia.

Until recent years, racist policies and practices were also embedded within Australian laws and institutions. The most telling examples of these were the removal of Aboriginal children from their families and the denial of full citizenship rights to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people. Similarly, the White Australia policy aimed to restrict immigration by people from non-European backgrounds. Historically, rises in unemployment have often led to calls for immigration restrictions and in some cases led to the scapegoating of people who were seen to be different to members of the dominant culture. While legislation now exists to protect the rights of all citizens, there is a continuing legacy today from the effects of these racist practices.

More information about the history and causes of racism in Australia.

As Australian society has become more diverse with continuing immigration, expressions of racism in Australian popular culture have changed over time. Racist language and attitudes that were common at the end of the nineteenth century are no longer acceptable one hundred years later. However, racism continues to find expression in new ways, reinforced through the popular media.

Contemporary expressions of racism which have emerged in recent years relate to notions of nationhood which are seen as incompatible with diversity. These racist beliefs may be expressed in various stereotyped views of who the 'real' Australians are. This form of racism is based on an ideology of national culture in which minority cultures are regarded as alien and a threat to social cohesion. It consists of pervasive cultural assumptions where the customs and beliefs of the dominant group in society are presented as the norm. As a result, the status and behaviour of minority groups, particularly those who are more visibly different, are defined and judged with respect to the dominant group of largely British and Celtic backgrounds.

These attitudes are widely discussed in the media where they are presented as reasonable and commonsense and reflected through media images that do not accurately portray Australia's cultural diversity. In this way, racist ideologies are expressed and reinforced through a process of group interaction and thereby absorbed into popular culture.

More at link

[Exultant Democracy]

36. +1

[PDJane]

32. You are quite correct.

A South African friend who now lives there has admitted it to me. We've had a long discussion about it. His family is planning to move to Europe because of it.

[Turborama]

33. Yep. Do you remember this recent incident?

Another clearly racist Australian portrayal of black people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh90w-hbqhI

I have been all over Australia and have several Australian friends. I would say the majority are totally racist about Aborigines, even though they say they are not the things they come out with can easily be defined as racism. It's like calling out someone who's obviously drunk, they always deny it and get really angry about being called out.

In fact I carried out an experiment when I was there. Bill Bryson wrote in his book http://www.amazon.com/Sunburned-Country-Bill-Bryson/dp/0767903862">In a Sunburned Country that even if you talk to the most seemingly Liberal Australian about the Aborigines they do a Jekyll and Hyde transformation (paraphrasing). I decided to test this out on one of the most intelligent, Liberal, really funny, dope smoking, old school surfer friends of mine by starting off a conversation about "http://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Proof-Fence-Doris-Pilkington/dp/0786887842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263013732&sr=1-1">Rabbit Proof Fence" and I was actually shocked to hear some of the things he had to say about Aborigines. To avoid escalation my response was, "it's a complicated issue" - which it is.

Bryson also mentioned that Aborigines are the "invisible people" in Australia and after reading that I kept my eyes open to see if I could see any working in the shops or just walking down the street. I saw one Aborigine guy walking down the street in Freemantle (Near Perth) and that's it. To give context, I flew from Perth to Melbourne, Melbourne to Sydney, Sydney to Brisbane and overland by coach from Brisbane to Cape Tribulation (just above Cairns).

[demwing]

34. Question -IF the white guy played a drum and ate the chicken

and all the black people surrounding him then wanted some, would it be racist?

It seems to me that the ad proposes that not EVERYONE like KFC, but it ould be useful for controling unruly, drum banging stereotypes.

[demwing]

35. Another Question - Is Racism like Beauty - and sits in the eye of the beholder?

Or is racism absolute, and racism regardless of the perceptions it creates?

Or, is racism on the toungue of the one who tells the tale?

In other words, is the ad racist if the ad creater meant to use racial stereotypes, regardless of whether those stereotypes were successful?

I think that if you disagree with the later - if you think it wans't racist beacuse the Australians didn't see the racism - then ask yourself would a thief still be a thief if no one noticed them that was stolen was missing?