KFC has a new commercial that shows an African American Family at the dinner table eating a bucket of chicken. In the commercial, there is the mother, daughter, and two sons. My question is, where's dad? Being a middle aged African American male, father and grandfather, I find it insulting. I work hard to get out the message and echo Cosby and other Black Leaders that urge our young men to take responsibility for themselves and the families that they create. Does KFC think that this is the normal African American Family? Could they not have shown a happy family with mother and father? What do you think?
2007-10-20 06:07:22 · 27 answers · asked by X-Man 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Well, I think they are trying to do the opposite of misrepresentation and the incitement of racism. In the commercial they probably had the aim of representing both African Americans and single parent families to give out the message that their product is aimed at everyone and single parent families can be happy too.
KFCs commercials originally showed white 2 parent families with 2 children, a boy and a girl. They have probably recognized this misrepresentation and aim to advertise for people of all races from all walks of life. In other commercials, most likely they show different families. People would probably take offense if they showed a large extended family of any racial minority as this might suggest that these races had larger families, explaining away the absence of a grandfather. Also, if the father was there, would he not offer to cook food himself. In actual fact there are more single parent white families in America.
Although it is just a chicken commercial, contrary to popular belief a lot of work has gone into thinking up the concept and, especially in the modern day world avoiding discrimination and offense to people, however, there will always be someone who will take offense to any situation.
2007-10-20 06:34:42 · answer #1 · answered by Confused 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
For everyone else you can say- it's just a commercial, it's just a tv show, it's just a billboard ad, it's just a movie, but it's still a valid question.
Yes, he could be working late. But he's also not real, so why couldn't he be at the table.
They could of had budgeting issues, or the guy to play the dad backed out last minute.
It's a good question because TV influences people. I actually did meet a guy who thought all black people listened to rap music, seriously. That's just one example, there's more. So, I am attuned to how the media represents all people.
It IS just as realistic for the dad to be home and not the mom. The number of stay at home dads have gone up. And the number of working mom's have gone up. There are more business driven women in the world.
Yes, it's not the major issue of the world, a KFC commercial.
I do see where you're coming from, can anyone name nurturing non-violent African-American males on tv - that wasn't in a comedy?
It's the message that's sent out. Most people who aren't smart are just going to assume that the dad is a deadbeat who left his family.
2007-10-20 06:42:43 · answer #2 · answered by laurenhonish 2 · 5⤊ 2⤋
You might have a point, IF none of their other commercials feature a similar set up of a white/asian/mexican family. But if they do have other families shown with just the mom and kids, then it's probably not a social commentary.
Personally, I understand what you're saying but think that you're reading a little too much into the commercial and the effect that it could have. It's like me stressing over a commercial with the the dad and kids and thinking it advocates divorce. I'd focus on things that have a greater impact on your children.
If you're really worried about the effect on your kids, when the commercial comes on ask them where the dad is or saysomething like "Isn;t nice that the mom is feeding the kids while dad is hard at work" -- well, word it better than that!
2007-10-20 06:17:13 · answer #3 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
X - that is a nasty question. Racial, Absolutely not. Showing Mom and Kids eating out is no more racisl for blacks than for yellows or whites.
You point about misreprestation MIGHT be valid. But maybe this is lunch and Dad is off working?
Maybe Dad works the night shift and cannot be with Mom and Kids for Dinner - in our out.
Maybe Dad is in Iraq, fighting to keep Bush safe.
There are many reasons, all very valid, why Dad is not at the table.
Blacks should not be quite so sensitive. Things are a bit different today than 40 years ago. Many white and yellow families go to fast food places without daddy. I have seen it. How about mom on a shopping trip with the kids.
Why raise an issue where that are so many justifyable reasons for just Mom to be with kids. After all - Let's be homest, Isn't it Dads lot to do the hard labor and Mum to bring up those kids, (Hard labor as well) taking care that they are fed, looked after, properly dressed and having at least one loving and caring parent with them all day. The Housewife, is a thing of the past. How nice to see a representation of a parent spending time with the kids. they could be showing just the kids in there because neither parent has the time to be with them since they are both working.
Do black families have more single parent families than whites or is this an endemic problem in these progressive times.
I have to ask - what would you say if they showed the same ad with only Daddy present? That would not be realistic, would it?
Do remember that in the end, fast food stores are not there to represent family virtues or values. Those ads are to get the kids in the place and hooked on that junk food. That, my friend, is what I would be howling about.
2007-10-20 06:27:01 · answer #4 · answered by organbuilder272 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Pretend he's the one holding the camera. He could be overseas working for Doctors Without Borders. Or maybe she is the single aunt treating the nieces and nephews to a bucket of chicken while mom and dad are out at a pro-choice rally. You can make a million conclusions over a picture but the real answer doesn't exist because it's just a commercial.
It's just chicken. It's fried, and you'll die from a heart attack if you eat too much of it. That should be the real message.
2007-10-20 07:14:12 · answer #5 · answered by Author Unknown 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No it isn't racial in nature. It's people like you that keep the problem of racism alive and thriving. You look for situations where you can read racism into it. Have you never heard the saying, "When you look for trouble, you will find it?" This is as true today as it was 50 years ago. All the commercial shows is a mother and her children going out to lunch. That is it. It says nothing else. You read into it, that the father is not there because he isn't around, a deadbeat or in jail. Why do you see that when you look at the commercial? Why not think that the father might be a hard working father that works seven days a week and cannot be present. It's because you have a negative view of blacks. You have to, if you instantly assume the father is not around for negative reasons. Do you see what I am saying? If you didn't view blacks negatively, this wouldn't be the first thought that pops into your head. Why do you not think of the hundreds of other positive reasons reasons why he might not be there? Did you mother never take you and your siblings out without your dad being along? I know mine did, because my father hated shopping. What you need to ask yourself is, "Why am I looking so hard for racist situations and assuming the worst of blacks without giving them the benefit of the doubt." I have a challenge for you. Put yourself in a white persons shoes and watch television with the intent of looking for situations which could be considered racist against whites. You will be surprised at all the situations that could be viewed at as racist, but aren't.
2007-10-20 06:44:18 · answer #6 · answered by Danny 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Oh I feel you. I had so many thoughts running through my head when I first saw it.
That commercial really pisses me off.
It's a generalization that black people eat fried chicken. (Personally I can't stand fried chicken)
And the fact that no father was present.
Society thinks that's a normal black family.
The other KFC commercials with white families show a father.
2007-10-20 22:29:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Good catch!!! I am sure the marketing firm had some african american input on the commercial.
Be interesting to see what the philosophy was. Maybe a strong black female raising children on her own. Or mom on the go.
2007-10-20 06:15:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Normally fast food in my house is downed by mom and kids for lunch while paw's at work. The old man wants "home made". Your question does have merit, and should be brought up to KFC advertising. The only real color they're interested in is green.
2007-10-20 10:42:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I agree with you. They should be showing a wholesome family unit regardless of what race it is. In this period of time with the high numbers of single black mother's and black leaders like Cosby and even Faricon calling upon their men to take responsibilty for their families, I could see how this is sending the wrong message. This problem is not just a black problem. This is a problem with all races within are soceity. I recently had to jerk a knot in my own son's butt over this same issue because he got behind on child support and didn't pick his kids up for visitation when he was suppose to. But with the focus that your black leaders are putting on this issue, I can see your point and agree with you.
2007-10-20 06:41:33 · answer #10 · answered by Brad M 5 · 2⤊ 4⤋