Posted on 08/30/2013 8:55:17 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
BANGKOK A leading human rights group has called on Dunkin' Donuts to withdraw a "bizarre and racist" advertisement for chocolate doughnuts in Thailand that shows a smiling woman with bright pink lips in blackface makeup.
The Dunkin' Donuts franchise in Thailand launched a campaign earlier this month for its new "Charcoal Donut" featuring the image, which is reminiscent of 19th and early 20th century American stereotypes for black people that are now considered offensive symbols of a racist era.
In posters and TV commercials, the campaign shows the woman with a shiny jet black, 1950s-style beehive hairdo holding a bitten black doughnut alongside the slogan: "Break every rule of deliciousness."
Human Rights Watch said it was shocked to see an American brand name running an advertising campaign that would draw "howls of outrage" if released in the United States.
~snip~
The CEO for Dunkin' Donuts in Thailand dismissed the criticism as "paranoid American thinking."
"It's absolutely ridiculous," said CEO Nadim Salhani. "We're not allowed to use black to promote our doughnuts? I don't get it. What's the big fuss? What if the product was white and I painted someone white, would that be racist?"
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
dismissed the criticism as “paranoid American thinking.”
...yep. You said it!
Thailand?..........
I'd LOVE to see the liberal heads all esploding.
lolol.
That’s mentioned in the article. Their slogan?
“It’s black, but it’s good.”
“One Thai skin whitening cream runs TV commercials that say white-skinned people have better job prospects than those with dark skin.”
One thing I’ve noticed in a lot of Asian countries (or, at least the ones I have visited and/or am familiar with) is the emphasis on lighter skin = beautiful.
I don’t see anything offensive about it, and I can’t be sure, but I don’t think the woman is wearing blackface, but that it’s a photoshop or tinting job. What we have is an attractive-looking woman with lipstick to play off the colors of the company logo, a nice effect. The description in the story creates a very inaccurate impression of the photo, as if it’s mocking or cartoonish.
I cannot stop laughing. It is just so stupid.
Racist? I dont think so
Effective....not real likely...as its just too ugly/trendy
Yes, a lot of Vietnamese women cover themselves from head to toe to keep from getting any tan.
That picture doesn't look remotely like the 19th century "black-face" images I've.
...but THAT does.
Holy crap! What newspaper was that in?
Political Correctness. Chronically immature.
Thank you Captain Obvious
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.