Comments on: Lots of fun down under http://blackpolitics.co.uk/2010/01/09/lots-of-fun-down-under/ Commentary on british and international politics, race, and world affairs Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:05:44 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dominic http://blackpolitics.co.uk/2010/01/09/lots-of-fun-down-under/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Dominic Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:34:21 +0000 http://blackpolitics.co.uk/?p=99#comment-18 Steve, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I find your assertion that the stereotype of African Americans liking fried chicken is unknown in Australia to be rather unlikely. The sheer dominance of American cultural influence in film, television, and music means that some stereotypes, or at least knowledge about such stereotypes, have been transported to different societies. You may not have known about the stereotype yourself, but I'm sure there are black Australians who are well aware of it. The fact that KFC pulled the advert is a welcome step in demonstrating that they recognise offence could be taken. You are correct that the people in the advert aren't African American- they're meant to be West Indian. As a West Indian myself, I can tell you pretty confidently that the fried chicken stereotype is known there too. My point about using the Barmy Army, isn't that the ad couldn't have included them, but rather that the stereotype of the ad worked with the black/West Indian team. You are also right in saying that I should have looked at the Australian KFC site- I have now, but it hasn't changed my view. Claiming to not know about this stereotype is no excuse- responding to complaints was a responsible step by KFC. Steve,

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

I find your assertion that the stereotype of African Americans liking fried chicken is unknown in Australia to be rather unlikely. The sheer dominance of American cultural influence in film, television, and music means that some stereotypes, or at least knowledge about such stereotypes, have been transported to different societies. You may not have known about the stereotype yourself, but I’m sure there are black Australians who are well aware of it. The fact that KFC pulled the advert is a welcome step in demonstrating that they recognise offence could be taken.

You are correct that the people in the advert aren’t African American- they’re meant to be West Indian. As a West Indian myself, I can tell you pretty confidently that the fried chicken stereotype is known there too.

My point about using the Barmy Army, isn’t that the ad couldn’t have included them, but rather that the stereotype of the ad worked with the black/West Indian team.

You are also right in saying that I should have looked at the Australian KFC site- I have now, but it hasn’t changed my view. Claiming to not know about this stereotype is no excuse- responding to complaints was a responsible step by KFC.

]]> By: steve http://blackpolitics.co.uk/2010/01/09/lots-of-fun-down-under/comment-page-1/#comment-17 steve Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:06:17 +0000 http://blackpolitics.co.uk/?p=99#comment-17 This fiasco has highlighted a very significant problem of ignorance. It is amazing that in this day and age a group could be so culturally insensitive. The group I am referring to is of course the American people who think this is about them and specifically African American people. This is not about them - it is about a cricket supporter from one team (Australia)being caught in the middle of a group of supporters from another team (West Indies). It has nothing to do with race (unless you are looking desperately for something to take offence to) - it is about a supporter from one team being caught amongst a group from the 'opposition' and making friends with a food offering. The cultural stereotype of African Americans liking fried chicken is unknown in Australia (and irrelevant as the people in the ad are NOT African Americans) Your suggestion that the same ad could not have been made involving the Barmy Army is absurd. If you bothered to look at www.kfc.com.au you would see that this ad is one of a series of ads along a similar vein. This fiasco has highlighted a very significant problem of ignorance. It is amazing that in this day and age a group could be so culturally insensitive.

The group I am referring to is of course the American people who think this is about them and specifically African American people.
This is not about them – it is about a cricket supporter from one team (Australia)being caught in the middle of a group of supporters from another team (West Indies).

It has nothing to do with race (unless you are looking desperately for something to take offence to) – it is about a supporter from one team being caught amongst a group from the ‘opposition’ and making friends with a food offering.

The cultural stereotype of African Americans liking fried chicken is unknown in Australia (and irrelevant as the people in the ad are NOT African Americans)

Your suggestion that the same ad could not have been made involving the Barmy Army is absurd. If you bothered to look at http://www.kfc.com.au you would see that this ad is one of a series of ads along a similar vein.

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