Very true. Hey, if someone is going to stereotype, at least get the stereotype correct.

I recall that in the Susan Smith case where she drowned her children and blamed their disappearance on a black man, the local police were instantly suspicious of her (much more so than the media) simply because "black men aren't interested in stealing white children".

I recall that during the Duke lacrosse hoax-rape case, many of those who initially suspected it was a lie did so because "young white guys have no interest in having sex with a black women in front of their white friends". Although some "sociological experts" sought out a modern desire of fraternity boys to have public rape-sex with black women, in reality, there is no such desire at all - in fact, it would more of a taboo.

Ad is ridiculous and offensive.

But this:

Although some “sociological experts” sought out a modern desire of fraternity boys to have public rape-sex with black women, in reality, there is no such desire at all - in fact, it would more of a taboo.

*sputters*

Another aspect of the stereotypical black man that the commercial relies on is that he is more primitive, more simple-minded, and more simian. He yearns for the friendship of a child, shimmies up and down that pole like nobody's business (holding the balloon in his mouth!), and is hurt deeply by repeat rejection. The audience ends up pitying him because he's lonely, naive and physically strong but feeble minded - characteristics equated to being black.

Cara, is it your position that there is a deep psychological desire among white jocks to group rape black women?

My guess is she's simply skeptical of your assertion that there's a taboo against doing so (that would presumably be stronger than a taboo against rape). The taboo has generally been against white women having sex with black men. White men have generally faced less social stigma for having sex with black women, even during slavery, as long as they didn't get all silly and fall in love with and MARRY them, of course.

I think it was the woman's conflicting stories that were the clue that her claim was sketchy.

Wow, I know I pooh-pooh a lot of the stuff posted on this blog as being over-sensitive political correctness...but I am with you guys on this commercial. This is amazingly insensitive!

Before the "victim's" conflicting stories even emerged, most white college guys knew this was all BS, because it didn't make any sense. The idea of a bunch of white college kids gang raping a black stripper at a party with 40 of their friends along for the ride is just plain unlikely. In fact, the lacrosse players had specifically requested white strippers.

qrhe,

great comment! i was trying to pin down what it was about the ad that was wrong, and you explicated it perfectly.

also, re the question of interracial coupling, there is another recent post on this blog that is relevant here. black male-white female marriages have risen significantly since 1980, while white male-black female marriages have barely increased.

I've watched the ad several times, and thought it really odd, but ultimately indeed, funny. Funny in a WTF way, mostly. It might speak a bit to stereotypes and it is kind of sloppily put together, but I think this commercial's larger message is an attempt to criticize attitudes of racism within Thailand, albeit for the superficial purpose of selling toothpaste.

OP Minded, what does the fact that the specifically requested white strippers have to do with anything? The fact that they aren't sexually attracted to a black woman does not make null the possibility of a rape having occurred: it is precisely because they AREN'T sexually attracted to a black woman that might explain her rape. Rape, as you (should) know is about power, not sex. The fact that a group of young, white, and privileged men are not sexually attracted to the black stripper makes it "easier" to rape her; they most likely do not even regard her as a real woman, or person.
You say "most college white guys knew this was all BS." I think you are missing something. The sexual taboo between black women and white men is not as publicly acknowledged as its counterpart. You seem to be defining "taboo" as undesired, when this is not, in fact, the case at all.

OP Minded, what does the fact that they specifically requested white strippers have to do with anything? The fact that they aren't sexually attracted to a black woman does not make null the possibility of a rape having occurred: it is precisely because they AREN'T sexually attracted to a black woman that might explain her rape. Rape, as you (should) know is about power, not sex. The fact that a group of young, white, and privileged men are not sexually attracted to the black stripper makes it "easier" to rape her; they most likely do not even regard her as a real woman, or person.
You say "most college white guys knew this was all BS." I think you are missing something. The sexual taboo between black women and white men is not as publicly acknowledged as its counterpart. You seem to be defining "taboo" as undesired, when this is not, in fact, the case at all.

When I see this ad, all I see is a woman coming up and seeing a man who has her kid in an isolated place handing her kid something enticing. In that situation, I don't think the mom would react any differently, regardless of the man's skin color. I think the man was chosen simply to represent the color of the toothpaste, which is odd beyond imagining, but if it worked for them.... o_O

What about the portrayal as black men always being athletic, especially enough that they can climb a 30something foot pole without any assistance, LIKE AN APE. Also a testament to the idea that racism and stereotypes are taught, the girl wasn't suspicious or scared of the man until somewhere off scene her mom told her how dangerous they were.

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