One of the most talked-about commercials during Sunday's Super Bowl was an ad for Volkswagen in which a white, happy-go-lucky businessman from Minnesota speaks in a stereotypical, exaggerated Jamaican accent.
Some commentators have accused the ad of being racist. During a segment Monday on CNN's Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien, New York Times columnist Charles Blow blasted the ad, calling it "like blackface with voices." Meanwhile, Barbara Lippert, editor-at-large of Mediapost.com, complained on the Today show: 'It's just saying, ''Black people are happy.''' Read more at MailOnline >>
However, the Jamaican tourism minister has reacted positively, saying the ad is very creative and truly taps into the tremendous mass appeal that Brand Jamaica and its hospitable people have globally.
Check out a stream of all the 2013 Super Bowl ads here.
DISCUSSION POINT
Was the ad just a funny joke, or did it actually cross the line into racism? What do you think?
MALE OFFICE WORKER: I hate Mondays.
FEMALE OFFICE WORKER: Yeah, they're the worst.
DAVE: No worries, man. Everything will be alright. Ha ha ha, yeah, mon.
MALE OFFICE WORKER: Come on.
DAVE: Don't fret, me brother. Sticky bun come soon.
DAVE: Yeah. Wicked coffee, Mr. Jim.
DAVE: Julia, turn the frown the other way around.
COLLEAGUE: Hey Dave, you're from Minnesota right?
DAVE: Yes, I. The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes. The Gopher State.
BOSS: So in conclusion, things are pretty dismal.
DAVE: You know what this room needs? A smile. Who want to come with I?
WINSTON: You guys are three minutes late.
CO-WORKER: Don't be no cloud on a sunny day.
BOSS: Yeah, chill Winston.
WINSTON: Sir?
DAVE: Respect bossman.
VOICEOVER: That's the power of German engineering.
