Race in Advertisiments

Recently advertisers have been worrying about racial and/or ethnic stereotypes. They know that race is a hot topic right now especially because we now have our first black president. However, when an advertiser goes out of their way and worries about race to try and avoid being racist, isn't that just counterproductive? Racism means treating one person better than another because of their race or ethnicity. In order to stop racism we need to treat EVERYONE the same. However, if we are just using blacks in advertisements, isn't that just being racist to everyone that isn't black? I have no problem with using a black person in advertising, but when a company uses a black person just to not be racist, is just as downgrading to black people as well. It gives the viwepoint that the only reason they are there is so that the advertisers don't get in trouble. I just think the whole idea of race is belittling to everyone. Why should it even matter?


Also advertisers have been using black and white people to show that racism is no longer around. In a way this is a good thing, but then when you think about the reason behind the advertisers are doing this it is just as racist. By worrying about race and trying not to be racist they are ovrcompensating which is not solving the problem. In fact, it is just adding to the problem. If a company didn't want to be looked at as racist they would pick the best model available no matter what their race might be. Once again, by worrying about race they are being racist.


One of the only times I view advertisers worrying about race as being acceptable is if they are advertising world peace. By showing one person of every race and they are all are helping one another this portrays world peace. The reason this is acceptable is because world peace involves people of different races living as one and enjoying life. They aren't trying to sell a product and they aren't worrying about being racist, they are just trying to show a point. That is why it is acceptable.