Is The Portrayal Of African-Americans By Sony Offensive?

Not in this ad.

But in this:

siddhu33

That's a real PSP ad? LOL! How did Sony NOT get in deep **** for that? Not that I think it's racist in particular, but I can see how other certain people would go nuts about it.

While I don't really find the "Marcus" ads offensive, I can see why the idea would be raised. Sony, particularly with the PSP, has had issue with their advertising. You have the billboard, there was some issue with those dustbunny/scribble characters they used a few years back if I remember correctly, and now you have "Marcus".

What I find interesting is that Sony appears to consistantly aim their PSP marketing at 12-20 year old boys. You have the wonderful All I want for Christmas website, the crass/juvenile humor (urinal commercial), "urban dustbunnies", and now you have Marcus telling you to grow up and start playing "real" games. To me, this market is one that Sony has already done a good job of tapping. Sony really needs to go after other demographics. My 7 year old grandson was being offered his choice of a PSP or DS recently. He and his mom thought the PSP was really cool and liked the fact that it played movies until I pointed out that he wouldn't be allowed to play most of the games or watch most of those movies. PSP is also missing those Touch Generation type games like Hotel Dusk, Professor Layton, Tetris, and CrossworDS, to appeal to older gamers.

As Brad Shoemaker from the Giant Bombcast put it, "He acts just like group of 30 year old white men would imagine he would act."

BPoole96

Sony's PSP ad campaign with Marcus Rivers is not racist at all. It's not racist if it's true, that's just the way that kid talks, there's nothing wrong with that.

I dont think its offensive but the whole Kevin Butler and that kid campaign is gutter trash.

Does anyone remember those mexian squirel PSP ads? :lol:

[QUOTE="Munasha"][QUOTE="siddhu33"]

Not in this ad.

But in this:

"http://blogs.pomona.edu/grmt134-2009s/files/2009/04/0db1831ebfd1ae3a6c2782b6e3b1e084.jpg

TheMightyHoov

I think it might be too. We would have heard of some kind of controversy by now...

[QUOTE="musicalmac"]I don't even think the image siddhu posted is offensive. Lto_thaG

Thats because you're both white :|

While I don't really find the "Marcus" ads offensive, I can see why the idea would be raised. Sony, particularly with the PSP, has had issue with their advertising. You have the billboard, there was some issue with those dustbunny/scribble characters they used a few years back if I remember correctly, and now you have "Marcus".

What I find interesting is that Sony appears to consistantly aim their PSP marketing at 12-20 year old boys. You have the wonderful All I want for Christmas website, the crass/juvenile humor (urinal commercial), "urban dustbunnies", and now you have Marcus telling you to grow up and start playing "real" games. To me, this market is one that Sony has already done a good job of tapping. Sony really needs to go after other demographics. My 7 year old grandson was being offered his choice of a PSP or DS recently. He and his mom thought the PSP was really cool and liked the fact that it played movies until I pointed out that he wouldn't be allowed to play most of the games or watch most of those movies. PSP is also missing those Touch Generation type games like Hotel Dusk, Professor Layton, Tetris, and CrossworDS, to appeal to older gamers.

shadowcat2576

Yeah, Nintendo with its DS marketing is rather good. Instead of flatout targetting demographics, they use celebrities and really popular figures. (From the ones I've seen atleast).

Also, I could see how effective Sony using the character "Marcus" is though, I mean I go to the barber shop and see every, and I mean every kid with a PSP as opposed to playing a DS. They think it looks cooler, it plays music and games. Not once have I seen a kid in my neighborhood with a DS, and that surprises me lol.

I do agree though, they need to target other markets.

[QUOTE="kuraimen"]I think people waste too much time trying to be offended.Chutebox

Too true.

I think people waste too much time trying to be offended.kuraimen

[QUOTE="Lto_thaG"][QUOTE="musicalmac"]I don't even think the image siddhu posted is offensive. Oonga

Thats because you're both white :|

[QUOTE="Munasha"][QUOTE="siddhu33"]

Not in this ad.

But in this:

TheMightyHoov

I think it might be too. We would have heard of some kind of controversy by now...

It was real, it happened a few years a go. There were three adverts that were part of that campaign; the one you see above, another in which the black woman dominates the white woman and a third in which they are at stalemate. I don't think they were racist and I don't understand why anyone who has seen all three versions of the advert would think so, though from this thread it's clear that many who have onlt seen the one that siddhu posted would think it's racist. I thought it was a pretty creative idea but they ultimately lacked common sense. I don't think the psp adverts with marcus are racist either, that assertation by the author seems to lack justification if he thinks so. Whether or not the adverts are annoying is another argument all togetherEJ902

But that all it takes is one. One subtle message that millions see, imprinted into there brain where they comprehend judgements and form conclusions.

All it takes it one. Especially if children are repeatdly seeing it. Point in case, they become adjusted to that type of behavior or conclude that its "normal" and thats just from one picture or ad.

Edit: I would to explain better, but I'm running out of time :P

But that all it takes is one. One subtle message that millions see, imprinted into there brain where they comprehend judgements and form conclusions.

All it takes it one. Especially if children are repeatdly seeing it. Point in case, they become adjusted to that type of behavior or conclude that its "normal" and thats just from one picture or ad.

hayato_

Here's a couple of Sony commercials:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoY3LRGscmQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9xUQ-FkvHY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGVFA-PGXPo

gago-gago

Not in this ad.

But in this:

siddhu33

Wasn't that a two piece ad? Heres the other one:

I actually cameacrossthis on Kotaku by chance about 2 days ago

racist people see racist implicationstastetheacidmil

[QUOTE="Lto_thaG"][QUOTE="musicalmac"]I don't even think the image siddhu posted is offensive. Oonga

Thats because you're both white :|

[QUOTE="Lto_thaG"][QUOTE="musicalmac"]I don't even think the image siddhu posted is offensive. Oonga

Thats because you're both white :|

PSP advertising has been riddled with racial controversies. Don't forget the PSP Squirrels.

Lab392

[QUOTE="Lto_thaG"][QUOTE="musicalmac"]I don't even think the image siddhu posted is offensive. Oonga

Thats because you're both white :|

lol try you tube, they would stone you to death if they had a chance, one little thing about the ps3 and your a "defender of the RROD" i was once called :lol:tastetheacidmil

[QUOTE="tastetheacidmil"][QUOTE="randomguy15"]:lol: That made me laugh so hard. Oh man sony must brainwash.

LastRambo341

LOL yes he did he thought it was made by sony, till people corrected him, he says multiplats are crap yet he wet his pants when he saw the arkham asylum 2 trailer late last year, then again this year he got all happy for multiplats

[QUOTE="randomguy15"]

I'm sory TC but it's like illegal to say anything bad about sony in these parts, you'll be like shunned from society or something.:roll:

Or people just don't agree with him... Heaven forbid!

Anyways TC, not really offensive. I think people are so worried about race nowadays that they see racism everywhere.

Wasn't that a two piece ad? Heres the other one:

I actually cameacrossthis on Kotaku by chance about 2 days ago

micky4889

Really it has a lot to do with history sadly, which is just a conclusion I have come up with over the years.(Dont take that to heart)

Again, anyone could see these advertisements in different positions. Some are affected, some are not, but there is a subtle message hidden in them. Reminds me of a book I read a while back entitled "Racial Grammer".

[QUOTE="micky4889"]

Wasn't that a two piece ad? Heres the other one:

I actually cameacrossthis on Kotaku by chance about 2 days ago

hayato_

Really it has a lot to do with history sadly, which is just a conclusion I have come up with over the years.(Dont take that to heart)

Again, anyone could see these advertisements in different positions. Some are affected, some are not, but there is a subtle message hidden in them. Reminds me of a book I read a while back entitled "Racial Grammer".

Man, am I the only one who just these ads suck because I don't have any desire to buy a PSP seeing them? I don't even see race more than I see a really awkward pictures with 2 women in it.

Not in this ad.

But in this:

siddhu33

Wat the hell?? Is that real?

Why do you have to obsess about this stuff so much in America? Im sure there are more important current affairs to concern yourselves with than if somebody may take an advertising campaign the wrong way, you all know it isn't intended to be offensive.

[QUOTE="siddhu33"]

Not in this ad.

But in this:

Wat the hell?? Is that real?

I think people try too hard to find racism when its not there.

Just as offensive as Kevin Butler is to white people.

Which is to say, not at all.

I find him offensive, not because I find it racist, but because he's a horrible actor.

[QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

[QUOTE="randomguy15"]

I'm sory TC but it's like illegal to say anything bad about sony in these parts, you'll be like shunned from society or something.:roll:

PSP107

Or people just don't agree with him... Heaven forbid!

Anyways TC, not really offensive. I think people are so worried about race nowadays that they see racism everywhere.

All people are stereotyped in advertisements. African Americans are no different.

[QUOTE="Oonga"]

[QUOTE="Lto_thaG"]

Thats because you're both white :|

musicalmac

I dont know, i dont find it offensive (im white too).

But im not about to say the image is not offensive because i dont find it offensive. And i know a few black people that are offended by this. Why? i dont know but they are.

If someone called me the N word i wouldnt be offended. I cant then say "because its not offensive to me, its not offensive".

]How do you even know they're white? :| There's always that one person that wants to start a race war over nothing, smh....Rockman999

Because they just confirmed it :|

Im starting to find racist cryers more annoying than racists. Theyre probably the same sort of people that shout PC at every chance they get.

It's okay to say black. The year is 2010 and people still can't see beyond the skin tones...sigh.

The PSP ads are pretty bad, but they don't offend in the way that you're implying.

Gxgear

can someone explain to me why we never see racist White commercials or advertising causing such a outrage? is it only OK unless you do it to every other ethnicity? I really dont wanna get in a heated discussion about this, but tis something I notice.

The two billboards with the females... yeah that was plain moronic on Sony's part.

can someone explain to me why we never see racist White commercials or advertising causing such a outrage? is it only OK unless you do it to every other ethnicity? I really dont wanna get in a heated discussion about this, but tis something I notice.

XboximusPrime

Probably because nearly every commercial focuses predominantly on white actors. Kinda hard to pinpoint an overly offensive stereotype. Commercials with minorities are just easier targets. :P

Overall though, I'll also sing to the choir by saying I'm black and didn't find the Marcus ad racist. I found it stupid because Marcus just isn't funny.

can someone explain to me why we never see racist White commercials or advertising causing such a outrage? is it only OK unless you do it to every other ethnicity? I really dont wanna get in a heated discussion about this, but tis something I notice.

XboximusPrime

Lol, what does racist white advertising look like? Hell, what is a racist image of a white person look like? Tbh, I can think of many inappropriate depictions of lots of races but I draw blank when it comes to "white". Its not people looking for racism more than there really aren't many obvious "white" attacks I guess. (this topic is sooo stupid)

Even though the Kevin Butler ads are ok, I think Sony needs to "step their game up" with their advertisements.

[QUOTE="XboximusPrime"]

can someone explain to me why we never see racist White commercials or advertising causing such a outrage? is it only OK unless you do it to every other ethnicity? I really dont wanna get in a heated discussion about this, but tis something I notice.

Lionheart08

Probably because nearly every commercial focuses predominantly on white actors. Kinda hard to pinpoint an overly offensive stereotype. Commercials with minorities are just easier targets. :P

Overall though, I'll also sing to the choir by saying I'm black and didn't find the Marcus ad racist. I found it stupid because Marcus just isn't funny.

[QUOTE="XboximusPrime"]

can someone explain to me why we never see racist White commercials or advertising causing such a outrage? is it only OK unless you do it to every other ethnicity? I really dont wanna get in a heated discussion about this, but tis something I notice.

Lionheart08

Probably because nearly every commercial focuses predominantly on white actors. Kinda hard to pinpoint an overly offensive stereotype. Commercials with minorities are just easier targets. :P

Overall though, I'll also sing to the choir by saying I'm black and didn't find the Marcus ad racist. I found it stupid because Marcus just isn't funny.

yeah, I mean, I cant speak for being black, but the ad didnt seems racist to me. Seemed like a wisecrackin kid and that was about it. Honestly, this topic might as well be a minefield.

[QUOTE="XboximusPrime"]

can someone explain to me why we never see racist White commercials or advertising causing such a outrage? is it only OK unless you do it to every other ethnicity? I really dont wanna get in a heated discussion about this, but tis something I notice.

ActicEdge

Lol, what does racist white advertising look like? Hell, what is a racist image of a white person look like? Tbh, I can think of many inappropriate depictions of lots of races but I draw blank when it comes to "white". Its not people looking for racism more than there really aren't many obvious "white" attacks I guess. (this topic is sooo stupid)

[QUOTE="ActicEdge"]

[QUOTE="XboximusPrime"]

can someone explain to me why we never see racist White commercials or advertising causing such a outrage? is it only OK unless you do it to every other ethnicity? I really dont wanna get in a heated discussion about this, but tis something I notice.

gearsofwin

Lol, what does racist white advertising look like? Hell, what is a racist image of a white person look like? Tbh, I can think of many inappropriate depictions of lots of races but I draw blank when it comes to "white". Its not people looking for racism more than there really aren't many obvious "white" attacks I guess. (this topic is sooo stupid)

I'm not sure if that comes out as distinctly "white" though I was thinking of what you said (particularly Irish) when Iposted that. Black is split into many different cultures and countries but it really is mixed as "black" if you get what I mean.