Open Discussion: Doritos Commercial + Letter from a Reader, “Black Stereotypes”
I didn’t get the opportunity to catch this commercial when it originally aired but thanks to Melanie, I was able to check it out. She also included a letter that she asked that I share with you guys and get your thoughts on:
Miss Jia
I know that you said on Twitter that you missed the superbowl, which would have also included the hilarious commercials that most people look forward to every year. I wanted to send you the Doritos commercial that aired last night to get your opinion on it, as well as the opinions of your readers.
Although I found the commercial to be hilarious, I also felt that it was laced with several stereotypes:
-single Black female with a child
-Black male, overly sexed/perverted (booty watching)
-bad ass/unruly kid
Maybe I’m overthinking it but do you think that this commercial would have been as funny…or as effective…if it featured white, hispanic or even asian actors? Hmm…what do you think?
I didn’t look at it that way. What say you guys? Is she correct or digging a bit too deep? Post your thoughts on this HILARIOUS commercial as well!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Diggin too deep.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I think she was overanalyzing that commercial just a bit too much. I just saw a boy being overprotective of his mom and probably he favorite snack food.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
The commercial was extremely funny. I decided to give the stereotypes and things the night off. Except for the sexism meme that was going on all night.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Digging too deep, I just thought it was too cute, lmaoooo.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Too deep.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I posted this on my twitter some weeks back and received the same comments. People thought it was offensive.
I think part of what makes it funny is HOW the kid said what he said.
White kids can be sassy but I dont see a white kid pulling this off as well as a black child.
I feel bad for the creator of this commerical because my understanding that this is a young male who won a contest and a million dollars for creating this. I dont think harm was intended.
What I did find offensive last night was the overall theme of "men are stupid and women annoy them when they aren't being quiet adn sexy" that was displayed in a majority of the commericals.
that was more offensive to me than this commercial
February 8th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Although I found the commercial to be hilarious, I also felt that it was laced with several stereotypes:
-single Black female with a child
-Black male, overly sexed/perverted (booty watching)
-bad ass/unruly kid
If these are so called sterotypes then they are TRUE to reality!!! I like the commerical ! of the Best
February 8th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
You know what She right I must admit when I first ssaw this commercial it was before the superbowl it was on youtube! I was on the floor it is too funny! but when you take another look I do agree with her the single mom with the hooch wear on (think people when you ever seen another women in a commercial dipected as a mother wearing something like that?) Then the man who obviously knew the kid was there watching still gave the I cant wait till I hit that look at her ass in front of the kid. Then lastly the kid! whose child is going to slap the shiit out of company? who dose that?
I do feel that Its depicting Us in a negative light! and as for you that feel that shes just digging too deep!Think this is how the director saw that this would be belivable with african amaricain actors I dont think I would have been made with actors of any other nationality!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
ha I thought it was funny..even though i do give it a side-eye
February 8th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Lil man was not playin bout his momma OR his Doritios! I think it would have been funny no matter the race of the actors.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
DIGGIN' TOO DEEP! i just saw a little boy being protective of his mom n his fave snack, that's all
February 8th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
what i found funny was the way he said "momma " and "doritos" lol I didnt even PAY ATTN to the fact that she was single but I didnt like him staring at her bum …even though i kno it happens. Funny commercial.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
it was racist & funny….a lot of commercials have a racist undertone most people are so blinded by the humor that dont realize whats going on.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
The race means nothing. I'm biracial, I'm tired of people using the race card on everything.
I'll just leave it as one of the best super bowl commercials since Budweiser stopped using the frogs!
P.S. I wish someone would look at my moms ass, it's going down!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Honestly, I thought it was hilarious & I didn't look at the racial aspect until some people made it known. I still think it's funny.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
now i want doritos..
February 8th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
ok its a sterotype BECAUSEEE it true!! they got that idea from somewhere & 9 times out of 10 it was a black persons' idea!! fuck it!! some of us black people always gettin mad when people got jokes bout us, it was supposed to be funny..stop being anal and laugh at that ISH
February 8th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
how do u know she is a single black female…. why couldnt she be a divorcee who happens to have a kid… so r u perpetuating the stereotype by assuming she is a black single mother
February 8th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
and all men look at womens butts no matter what race they r so wat r u saying… i dnt think the kid was unruly jus protecting his mom as most boys do no matter the race n lovin his Doritos ppl r being to sensitive CLAM DOWN
February 8th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I though it was funny.. But who are we kidding there are a lot of single black mothers out there so I don't see what the problem is. Instead of complaining they should try supporting the unity of black families and birth control…. This video was voted the best commercial… No matter what white folks say about us our character is not wrong or a stereotype, that is why they try to mimmick us and maybe the author of the open letter just has self hate.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
you are definitely looking into this too much! Personally, I thought it was cute
February 8th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Digging to deep!
Let’s say the commercial featured a child of a different race….then the issue would be about “THAT BAD ASS KID”
The commercial was done for humor and it succeeded cause it was funny. No child other than a black kid coulda pulled this off! I’m Just Sayin!
February 8th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
COSIGN!
February 8th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Yes, I do agree that there are "TONS" of slick, racial stereotype b.s. in television (LOTS)….
But sorry sweetie, in my opinion, this ain't 1 of those moments.
You are DEFINATELY digging too too deep. 2 me, this commercial is just pure comedy. There's absolutely nothing racially stereotypical about it to me, I don't see what the problem is.
I like it, & the little boy is soOo adorable…….Too much, just too much (lol).
February 8th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
i guess we should assume she was on welfare and in the projects too? damn! some black women do get divorced or become widowed. the commercial was cute! i thought it was funny how dude thought he was going to have an easy date and got put in his place.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
i saw the commercial a few weeks back, and i thought it was hilarious. the kid doesn't want mama to have a boyfriend, basically a little cockblocker. i remember doing the same sh*t when i was little. this is a funny ass commercial. the boy did good.
your writer is digging way too deep. why do people always find something racial about little stuff? it's just a commercial. damn. *hands the writer some doritos. stop looking at my ass while you're at it.*
February 8th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
DiGGin 2 DeeP "I SaY" Why do WE get MAD at things that ARE TYPICAL of OUR CULTURE? I'm NOT Maddd…A White Kid would NOT have had the same affect. Well… SOME Things are just FUNNY when WE Black FOLKS Do iT!!!!! Again KeePin iT ReaL!!!
It ONLY maKes SenSe!
February 8th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Why is it only funny when black people/black comedians talk about shit like that to some people?
"YALL KNOW WHEN YALL GO TO A BITCH HOUSE AND SHE GOT KIDS AND THEY DON'T LIKE YO ASS?"
This gets lawls. But when a Dorito's commercial displays it, we need to call Civil Rights.
Yes, it is a black stereotype. And it's one that's true as hell. I'm all against racism and discrimination, but sometimes shit with stereotypes are funny. I'm sorry. It wouldn't have been as funny if an Asian/Hispanic/Caucasian person would have done it, sadly. I laughed at this ad AND the KGB yaki ad. Some folks act JUST like that.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
that's very true that ALL men are that way!!
February 8th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Digging way too deep..i dont think it was that serious…that was actually my fave commercial besides the Budweiser "Lost" commercial….that scenario was hilarious..people are always pulling the Race card…Ppl need to lighten up and stop being so sensitive
February 8th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
i just think people are never satisfied. As far as sterotypes are concerned…if black people refrained from being involved with productions that remotely hinted on a black stereotype we wouldnt be on TV period! Black people have a flavor that always adds an extra funny element to it! That little boy was hilarious. No matter what race, little boys are protective of their mothers & yes they exaggerated with the slap but that was the point! to let us know that he was serious & was not playing with that man! Shock value you know? Had the mom been dressed frumpy, and the man not have scoped her out then there would be no basis for his slap, or "keep your hands off my mama" That was the point people! And if the people were of another race we would be wondering why there werent a few major commercials featuring blacks…this commercial was the best one
February 8th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Nah! I dont think she is digging too deep. I actually think she is right on the money! Careful thought and consideration goes into every ad we see. I'm sure who ever is responsible for the commercial took all those aspects into consideration, and banked on the fact that most people wouldn't notice. That ish was hilarious though! I'll admit I watched like 5 times. BTW I really like this new thing your doing (posting letters and stuff from readers). It's a good look.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
I am so sick of people pulling the race card. Enough already!
February 8th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Digging a lil tooo deep.. it was just humorous
February 8th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
I agree. Sometimes as Black people we are quite sensitive about our race; however there are almost always some sort of racist undertone in commercials.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
good points
February 8th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
banking on the fact that most people wouldn't notice? lol seriously? that's the stupidest comment on this whole thread..
February 8th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
not al black people can be middle class/high class.. and even when they are people complain. You cant please all the people all the time
February 8th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Tell the truth i was more put off by Queen Latifah's rendition of America The Beautiful than this commercial…cause that shit was a piping hot ass mess. Far as this commercial goes i found it entertaining and not at all offensive
February 8th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
People seem to forget that ( All ) Stereotypes are Based off of a Lil' Bit of Truth….
Geez…..I am just wondering if the same people that took offense to this Commercial were the
Same people that Wanted the Dave Chappell show to End…..
Lighten up…Really because what's the difference? People didn't mind the Wayans Brothers Movie " Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in da Hood right??
My people My People…it's the same thing I hear over and over again….you can say the ( N ) Word all up and down in Rap Songs, Movies, Everyday Conversations but let someone from another race say….All hell breaks lose.Chill Out and laugh a little everything does not have to have a Race Card!!
February 8th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
As an African American female, I found the stereotypical nature of this ad to be offensive. A young, single black female with an obnoxious son, who uses slang like “my mama”. I believe the commercial could have worked with a teenage couple and the kid could have been her “little brother”, which would have been the scenario if the players were white. Obviously, Doritos corporation have no “professional” people of color writing these commercials.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
I saw the racial aspects, but really it isn't that serious. The commercial was one of the funniest ones that I saw.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:11 am
Thank you! I do want to keep that as a feature here. I get some INTERESTING letters!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:45 am
i hate (& thats such a strong word) the waynes with a passion & didnt like chappell show
February 9th, 2010 at 12:46 am
i agree
February 9th, 2010 at 1:04 am
I have to agree with ALL of the people that saw the NON HUMOR in this commercial. That is the problem with our people today, we allow the media to continue doing it because we also accept it. There are many races of people that don't allow this negativity to be portrayed against their people and I believe we need to be in that same place. So as long as you all keep laughing "at yourselves" and thinking it's okay for the Media to look down on you as well, then you never reach the respect that we as a people should have today, tomorrow and forever. Speaking as a "Mulatto" I see many things as non-racists debates, however this one is blatantly obvious.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:38 am
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORD HAVE MERCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:40 am
IT'S A FREAKIN "SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL" FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:48 am
And "WHY" should we (colored folks) give a rat's a$$ what white folks think of us????
If you ask me, I say that's 1 of the biggest problems in "OUR" community…….
WHY DO "WE" GIVE A F*CK ABOUT WHAT WHITE PEOPLE THINK ABOUT US?
WHO THE F*CK DIED & MADE WHITE PEOPLE THE END ALL BE ALL?
WHAT ABOUT THAT?
February 9th, 2010 at 1:58 am
And as far as R.E.S.P.E.C.T goes,
Why in the hell, would I want their R.E.S.P.E.C.T in the 1st place?!
If you AUTOMACTICALLY have no R.E.S.P.E.C.T 4 me up front,
because of the color of my "BEAUTIFUL" brown skin,
then why should 'I' care 2 gain your R.E.S.P.E.C.T?!
Chile….Let me get off this net & go fix me some "Ramen Oodles Fanoodles, with soy sauce & hot sauce"…….A sistah is hungrier than a mug!
February 9th, 2010 at 2:24 am
says the anonymous mothafucka! if its so stupid then why is it that half the people who commented in this thread either didnt notice, or didnt care about the obvious stereotypes. i'm alot of things but stupid aint one of em. good day bitch
February 8th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
ummm..my only gripe with the comments is that some of the people who are saying it IS offensive are giving some weak arguments…”using slang like ‘my mama’…ummm last time I checked, millions of people call their mothers ‘mama’. Whites and blacks so wtf..calling a term of endearment “slang” was just wayy off point.. That was off topic lol butttt with that being said, I thought this commercial was pretty darn funny even with the apparent “stereotypes”. Those who are offended by it can focus that energy on more pressing issues
February 9th, 2010 at 3:23 am
shes dumb as hell for even writing this letter..black ppl rarely get commercials as it is..well true life commercials, about things that actually happens to us that we can relate to..this type of stuff actually happens..
i never understood why some blk people get offended when white ppl see tha real side of us
-single Black female with a child
-Black male, overly sexed/perverted (booty watching)
-bad ass/unruly kid
^^^^^ all this is real life…thats reader CANT say that she doesnt kno at least 5 outta 10 lil kids or moms like that in tha video..
tha shyts real
most ppl are jus happy to see blacks on commercials during superbowls but her dumbass wants to overanalyze a lil cute funny commercial
February 9th, 2010 at 3:30 am
i think you are digging a little too much.
this ad would have been funny with any race, a small child slapping a grown ass man is always HILARIOUS.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:48 am
x2
February 9th, 2010 at 5:09 am
Thank you. There are plenty of things to get up in arms about and this commercial isn't one of them. If only some of us put this much effort into following the political system and trying to effect change in that arena.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:51 am
cute kid but I must say my first reaction- I was like WTF- i was immediately offended
February 9th, 2010 at 3:33 am
Since when did "momma" become slang???
February 9th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I think she has a point, but I still laughed.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
If she is divorced, she is still single.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Thank, you I'm a 40 yoa and black. I watched the game w/ someone 10 years older than I was and his lady friend, who was probably 5 years older than I was. We all found the commercial bad in taste and perpetuated a negative stereo type of a sex crazed out of control black male.
CBS, states that the super bowl is centered around family values, thus rejecting a gay dating service request to air a super bowl commercial. What family values was this commercial advocating?
February 9th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Not sure why you chose to change the subject matter by indicating "White People" as the subject line. Correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't single them out. What I was referring to is Equal Rights, and if you're not happy with my opinion then so be it, but we all have the right to one. There is no reason for all of the cursing and ignorance just to make your point. Enjoy the rest of your day.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
That commercial was funny ass hell and would have been regardless of race. The only difference is that had it been shown with another race it would still be getting shown, everyone would still be laughing, and there would have been no issues of racism. Racism is still very relevant in todays time but so often we as a culture are too quick to pull the race card. Damn just laugh sometimes
June 1st, 2010 at 1:15 am
As a black man,I don't think that it's digging to deep,although I understand the idea that a little boy is protective of his mother,the fact that a child is depicted as "setting a grown up
straight", did not sit well with me. I would never take that from a my child or any other.
As for the commercial-was kinda funny.