I just ran across this link. Read the comments below, it turns into a heated debate.
I wasn't sure whether to post this in sports or CE.
Do you think the following ads are homophobic? Did you ever play sports?
I never would have even considered the idea that those could be perceived as homophobic. I thought that was more of a "oh, you got owned by someone dunking over you".
"It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant."- Barack Obama
Yeah, I think homophobic might be taking it a bit far... The small one at the bottom is hilarious though, it looks like the dude is reaching up and trying to jack the dude off, which would seem to me to be the opposite of homophobic.
The Wall Street Journal wrote:Nike Withdraws 'Dunk' Ads
Amid Flurry of Complaints
By NICHOLAS CASEY
July 28, 2008; Page B9
Nike Inc. said it dropped a billboard advertisement in response to critics who complained that the basketball-shoe ads were insensitive to gay men and African-Americans.
The ads, designed by ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, promoted a new line of basketball shoes, called Hyperdunk, that are at the center of Nike's Olympics marketing pitch. The ad featured two unidentified male basketball players; as one flew up to the net for an apparent slam dunk, the other was left below, his face smashed into his opponent's groin.
The scene appeared on outdoor ads in Philadelphia, Atlanta and New York, and was subtitled with slogans like "That Ain't Right" and "Isn't That Cute." Its release prompted a number of blogs to lash out at the company for criticizing gays and African-Americans.
The controversy spread when the complaints were posted by media blog Gawker.
Nike didn't immediately respond to the controversy, which began earlier last week. On Friday, Nike, of Beaverton, Ore., said in a statement that it "has a long history of supporting athletes regardless of their sexual orientation" and would drop the ad, which "is based purely upon a common insight from within the game of basketball -- the athletic feat of dunking on the opposition, and is not intended to be offensive." Nike declined further comment.
Wieden+Kennedy, based in Portland, Ore., countered with its own blog post titled "Hypersensitive, y'all?" a move that prompted a number of angry responses from both sides. The company didn't return calls for comment.
"It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant."- Barack Obama
I don't see how Nike could be considered homophobic. Those complaining might find it a bit grotesque, which is what Nike was going after with the way it was shot. I can see people labeling those who don't care for the ad as homophobic though.
I'm with you guys. I'm not a hoops fan but I can see plain as day what is being sold here: the idea that Nike's shoes will help you be a better player, capable of performing the highest calibre moves. Its marketing and knowing a little bit about kids and the way they relate and discuss sports equipment, its smart marketing. Calling those adds homophobic is beyond hypersensitive and damned near into the realm of stupidity that can only be cured by euthanasia.
Wulfran Moondancer
Stupid Sidekick of the Lambent Dorf
Petitioner to Club Bok Bok
Founding Member of the Barbarian Nation Movement
Seems more racial than homo. You've got a black player dunking on Chris Mullen and Yao Ming look alikes.
The message is clear. Steal some Nike shoes and you'll be able to beat down white people and people that are good with shrinking TVs down to the size of a watch.
According to this report, if black Americans made up their own country, it would rank above Ethiopia (420,000 to 1,300,000) and below Ivory Coast (750,000) in HIV population. Both Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast are among the 15 nations receiving funds from the President's Emergency Plan For Aids Relief. The United States has given about $15 billion to PEPFAR nations in the past five years. Tell us: What's your experience being black in America?
If I'm correct, only two of the ads were pulled, none of them pictured here. One was captioned 'that ain't right.' I forget what the other caption was.
I can understand both the sensitivity and the accusations of oversensitivity.
That's a lot more understandable. I still think the criticisms are off the mark, but this makes a whole lot more sense, particularly with the first image.
"When I was a kid, my father told me, 'Never hit anyone in anger, unless you're absolutely sure you can get away with it.'" - Russel Ziskey
