My thoughts on…those Malibu Rum commercials
August 9th 2006 -
Have you seen those Malibu Rum commercials? You know, the ones that put Caribbean folk in typical Western situations, the ones that begin like, “what if Caribbean people took life as seriously as the rest of the world?” They’re hilarious I must admit, but the people they have portraying West Indians look like rejects from “Roots.” They’re dark skinned, buck-toothed, dress like they came from the market and look like their lives revolve around fish and sugar cane. As a Caribbean national, I feel somewhat offended by this. They make us look positively backward!
We have paved roads, not dirt tracks. We drive in cars and SUVs, not broken down country buses. The majority of use live in cities, where we earn our income from regular blue collar jobs, not farming or fishing. And we’re not “easy going.” We have bills, problem children and ungrateful spouses just like everyone else. They should have done some research. But hey, why explore the nuances of another culture when you can slap a big ol’ stereotype on them? The Caribbean consists of third world countries, and all third world countries are the same, right?
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Cuppojoe Says:
August 9th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Amen, brother!
Now, I better slap on my snowshoes so I can feed the sled dog team before retiring to my igloo for an evening of cheese and beer, eh?
Chaminda Says:
August 9th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
A few days ago, an Aussie sports analyst got fired for calling a bearded muslim player as a terrorist, during his sports commentary.
Good that sterotyping can make people lose something too, though occasionally :-p
jhay Says:
August 10th, 2006 at 6:50 am
Quite distressing how racism still exists today.
Just goes to show Neanderthals still walk amongst us
Eric Says:
August 10th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
unfortuantely these sterotypes dont seem to be going anywhere. I try and keep people on their toes when they’re around me though, if they something racist/stereotypical I give them a verbal slap on the wrist.
hickey
Abeni Says:
August 10th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Can’t say I’ve seen them but typical stereotyping
Stunner Says:
August 11th, 2006 at 1:14 am
I hate those ads and i think its disrespecting Caribbean people!
Shaman Dandulla Says:
August 12th, 2006 at 4:07 am
I’d call that a lazy brain stereotyping for the sake of exploiting you lot good…
Then again, their argument can be: “until it makes them money… well… who cares..”
Mad Bull Says:
August 12th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Havent seen the ads… Leon, get a copy on youtube for us nuh?
REZ Says:
August 25th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
it’s things like this that prove how ignorant some ppl are, it reminds me of that damn snl skit, for real at this point i know i have more common sense and cranial capacity than the A-HOLES who make these ads