Has anybody seen the homophobic frosted mini wheats ad?

[Virginia Dare]

No joke. I was watching Animal Planet last night when up pops a commercial for Frosted Miniwheats.

Here's the scenario, a brown frosted mini-wheat starts coming on to a pink frosted mini-wheat, something like, "Hey baby, come here often"? The pink mini-wheat says (with a very baritone voice), something like "back off buddy, what do you think just because I'm pink I'm a light weight"?

It goes downhill from there. I wouldn't have thought twice about it, except for the whole Snickers controversy and it really got me thinking.

This is marketed for kids. Interesting.

[LaurenG]

1. Oh geez, I know you're correct but, here we go again

:popcorn:

[redqueen]

4. Considering how ingrained this crap is...

if we dedicated ourselves to actively looking for it, we'd have time for nothing else.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

8. when lisa and i watch tv, i point out the millions instances of sexism/racism/homophobia etc

tell you that sociology minor of mine is a pain in the neck when it comes to watching entertainment.

sigh!

[redqueen]

12. Heh... I do that sometimes.

It mostly just makes people annoyed with me. :P

[daveskilt]

61. another sociology person right here - and I know what you mean

Sociology what a useless degree. still it does open your eyes. how many masculine adjectives are perceived as good (strong, tough, aggressive, dominant, etc) and feminine as negative (gentle, soft, the weaker sex) especially in a business context.

sociology is the science of conducting expensive experiments to prove obvious common sense conclusions then using big words to make it seem like real science.

i.e. A sociologist might say "extensive longitudinal studies have shown that accidental downward topography in premature infant isolates often results in lachrimatory behavior"

normal people would say "kids cry if they fall down"

on edit:

of course sociologists get grant money to make these sorts of observations so maybe they are smart after all.

[Sapere aude]

11. I had a professor in college that saw homophobic themes in every piece of

literature we had to read and discuss in class. It really got old. People wanted to stop going to his classes but couldn't because they needed the credits.

[redqueen]

13. That's very sad. n/t

[Parche]

30. Frosted Miniwheats

IN....grained??????? That is not very punny!!!!

[redqueen]

37. hahahahaha...

as is the case most of the time where incidents involving yours truly and attempts at being humorous, it was not intentional.

:P

[redqueen]

2. I'd say that was more insulting to women.

:shrug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. these things are similar. i think part of the rabid hate towards gay men is because they are seen

as betrayors of "masculinity"

and we cant have that.

next thing you know "femininity" will want respect and power.

and we really cant have that.

[redqueen]

7. True... they are tied together.

All of it needs to be addressed as often as possible.

[myrna minx]

20. There is a wonderful discussion about this

in FreeState's thread. :hi: I think it was very informative for many.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x150280

[redqueen]

21. Thank you!

:hi:

[xultar]

16. Exactly!

[myrna minx]

23. Here is a link to a thread

that has a wonderful discussion about how sexism/misogyny and homophobia are intertwined. It's a really great thread. :hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x150280

[SharonAnn]

3. Yes, it's disgusting. It sure doesn't make me want to buy them. As a matter of fact,

it makes me want to stay away from them.

What were they thinking.

[treestar]

6. What about Geico's caveman ads?

They are sort of making fun of the whole concept, since no one is a caveman. They are making fun of being offended, aren't they? Or do the cave men come off as sympathetic? And they do get to make some statements complaining of the stereotyping.

[redqueen]

10. I think they are highlighting insensitivity.

IMO the cavemen come off as sympathetic.

[JacksonWest]

9. Is it homophobic for a man to not want to be mistaken for a woman?

Really? I get the Snickers commercial-that is pure homophobia. That's the premise of that ad-be it satire of not. But this? A guy thought he was a woman. I don't think we need to read any homophobia into it. But, I've been wrong before.

[Virginia Dare]

14. You could be right...

I guess where I'm coming from is perpetuating the idea that it is inappropriate, if not comical, for a man to be attracted to another man. If there are some young boys or even girls out there struggling with these feelings, perhaps it's a troubling concept for them?

I guess I need to see it again to make a final judgement, but it just struck me.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

17. equating pinkness with assumed weakness is sexist.

little girls are constantly inundated with messages that they are weak. it does not help with confidence/self esteem.

[Divine Discontent]

59. right on lioness! n/t

[redqueen]

18. It is wrong to equate femininity with being a "lightweight". n/t

[Spangle]

39. The "pink" guy don't have a right to be pissed?

IT's also wrong for society to assume that a girl that looks or acts tom boyish is not intrested in 'girlie things'. But society does. LOL! That is what happens with stupid assumptions.

However, sence so many males are out of the closet, people pretty much know that being gay doesn't mean the person is a 'light weight.' And beng 'macho' doesn't mean 'not-gay.' Such things are a joke about how stupid we use to be. "Ha, Ha, yea right!"

The ad is pretty much what happens when the assumption is being constantlly made. If pinkie is constantly being 'hit on' because he is 'pinkie', it wouldn't take long before he is tired of explaining it (yet again) and be pissed over the whole situation. And even 'touchy' when it happens yet again. Dangit, I'M PINK, get over it! Stop assuming!

I see this in a different light. I'm a straight female, with tom-boyish features. I'm out spoken, and some have used that to assume that I wear the pants in our family. Antoher words, I'm not 'girlie' to some people. And they don't think it's upsetting to make such comments to me. It makes me want to do what this pink guy did. Ball them out for their 'assumptions.' Instead, I'm polite when the other girls get 'girlie gifts' and I get the least girlie gift.

If I spoke up, I would be making a butt of myself. THAT is all people would remember. Hints don't seem to make any difference. The assumptions stay. So trying to point things out politely doesn't always work. Being blunt would be rude and make me the one who looks bad.

Everyone seems upset over the pink guy. But it's the other guy that did the 'socialy unacceptable thing.' All because the pink guy blew a fuse and spouted off rudely. Now, if he done it in a polite and manor, it wouldn't have been such a good ad. The message wasn't "It's all right to make false assumptions." Instead it was "I'm pissed because of the constant false assumptions. Stop assuming."

[redqueen]

40. That seems like a bit of a stretch to me, sorry.

The term 'lightweight' is not neutral... it is a put-down.

[Spangle]

43. Tell that to...

Tell that to Julio Diaz, Acelino Freitas, Jesus Chavez, Leavander Johnson, just to name a few. They have held the titld "World Lightweight Boxing Champions." Julio is the present Champion.

I think it's more offensive about the "pink' assumption.

Society is already 'getting it' that "lightweight' IS an incorrect assumption. Being macho doesn't mean a person is or isn't gay. Being 'buff' doesn't mean a person is or isn't gay.

Using an 'old stero type' that is pretty much known NOW as an incorerct assumption, points out the incorrect assumption of 'pink' and all that pink is assumed to be and assumed NOT to be.

[redqueen]

44. That's disingenuous.

Of course "lightweight" as a classification for a fighting weight class is not the same thing as calling an average person a lightweight.

FCOL

[hfojvt]

57. which is kind of an insult to those of us who are lightweight

'weak' and 'anemic' are put-downs too. But some people are anemic and some are weak. For this tough-sounding guy to assume that women, in general, are lighter and weaker than him does not seem like an unfair assumption. In my experience, as a fairly weak man, I am still stronger than most of my female co-workers, even the ones who outweigh me. That is simply a fact. However, in my value system there are more important qualities than physical strength. Even from a production standpoint there are too. There was one 52 year old woman that nobody could keep up with on the drill press. I have also seen plenty of seemingly strong guys that I out-worked because they did not have the stamina, or the willingness to work (they were tired or bored?), or the integrity. So I do not mind if people wanna put me down as weak because a) I am not that weak and b) I make up for it with other qualities.

[redqueen]

63. but you are a man

to expect you to be insulted by put downs assigned to women is ... well not unreasonable, because some men do see it... but it isn't exactly natural for you to relate.

[daveskilt]

19. so women are lightweights?

it isnt homophobic - just sexist.

masculinity = good
femininity = bad

[JacksonWest]

35. Sigh.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Sometimes it's a symbol of male opression, I guess.

Can we agree that in our culture, it is generally an insult-or taken as such-to tell a woman that she "looks like a man" or a man "that he looks like a woman"?



Anyway, yeah, I guess you could call this commercial sexist.

Whatever.

[redqueen]

38. The appearance of being another gender

does not need to involve qualitative adjectives, e.g. "lightweight".

Does that help?

[JacksonWest]

42. It doesn't help me care one way or the other.

IS there some sort of secret society medal or cash prize being given to people who find new and exciting ways to get offended?


Lightweight? This is a stretch. TO each their own. If he had said something like "Do I look like I suck at math"-that would be sexist.

Anyway, yes-you can call this sexist. Sure. No skin off my back. I don't think it is-I can see while others do. Lightweight is an offensive word that this ad associates with being a woman. Frankly, it doesn't even make sense(the word lightweight) in the context of the ad-but it's your prerogative to feel the way you do.

Peace.

[redqueen]

45. *sigh* ... no.

I don't think the sarcasm helps, do you?

I didn't call you sexist and I don't think you are.

It's like the word "bitch". When my sister calls me a bitch, it's not offensive, but when a stranger does, it very much is.

The reason I feel that this commercial is offensive is that to me, it is reinforcing that it's okay for people in general to think of females in general as such.

Sure, joke with your friends with whatever put downs you want. Think whatever you want about which put downs are offensive to enough people to 'matter' (e.g. the 'n' word, the 'c' word, etc.)... or which ones are okay with enough people to use as jokes and not expect for anyone to be bothered by ith (e.g. lightweight, panty-waist, etc.)... but you really can't expect that everyone is going to agree with you.

What I hope for is that people realize that everyone has a different tolerance level for these things, and acts accordingly. IMO it's only common courtesy. Civility, if you will.

[JacksonWest]

49. I really wasn't being sarcastic.

I understand why this could offend someone.

I hope we don't have to gear society toward the highest level of tolerance for things like this. I'd rather the people that are offended by these ads just be marginalized, laughed at, and ignored. We just don't need people that are that weak and fragile to tell us what's appropriate or not.

[redqueen]

53. So you really do wonder if there's a cash prize?

I do find that hard to believe.

That you think groups of people who have been put down for centuries if not millennia should be laughed at, marginalized, and ignored for being sensitive to these insults... I don't even know what to say to that.

Peace.

[JacksonWest]

55. Peace.

[ThomCat]

67. So if you don't think something is indicative of something serious

then the rest of us should be marginalized, laughed at and ignored? Thank you very much for approving of prejudice. I'm sure bigots the world over will be very happy to agree with you.
x(

[JacksonWest]

81. What makes you different then the people who were offended by teletubbies?

Yes, anyone that finds that cereal commercial offensive is too sensitive, in my opinion. And I hope that the bar is never lowered(or raised) to meet their demands.

[ThomCat]

84. Nobody thought the teletubbies were insulting THEM PERSONALLY.

When people mock gays and lesbians, they are personally mocking all of us. Jerry Falwell was offended by an idea that didn't affect him at all. We're insulted by insults and stereotypes that are applied to us.

If we allow ourselves to be used in the soft bigotry of jokes, slurs and stereotypes then we're inviting the hard bigotry of bullying and violence. If you're not the least bit affected then you may not see it. When we've frequently seen all the small slurs and comments escallate, we can't be as complacent as you.

[Duncan Grant]

68. You're not real smart are you?

"I'd rather the people that are offended by these ads just be marginalized, laughed at, and ignored. We just don't need people that are that weak and fragile to tell us what's appropriate or not." -- JacksonWest

If you think for one minute that GLBT people are weak and fragile you are sadly mistaken. You sound like a goose-stepping Nazi. Proud of yourself? :wtf: :freak:

[JacksonWest]

76. Yup.

[Bluebear]

69. Sieg heil. nt

[JacksonWest]

80. That makes sense.

Since I don't want people to pull commercials or censor things to spare feelings. Seems to me that you're the one that's unable to communicate an idea without attacking me, and seem to be calling for the censorship of any media that you find in offensive or in bad taste.

[ThomCat]

85. No, you just want to allow slurs and stereotypes

and you don't want anyone to be able to respond. I'm Jewish. Do you want to allow slurs and stereotypes against my family too?
x(

[JacksonWest]

92. I'm Jewish too. And slurs and stereotypes are allowed against both our families.

And I'm glad they are. I support the first amendment unconditionally. Always have, always will. People can be judged for what they say, and held accountable for it-but they always should have the right to say it.

[ThomCat]

95. And our judgements are the effort to hold people

accountable. If people like you beat down the people who complain then you just help people get away with anything.

[JacksonWest]

102. Your efforts are futile. All your base belong to me.

Sorry. But seriously, I support fighting things that you find offensive. I support calling out people that you think are dangerous, hateful, sexist, homophobic, ect...

You and about ten others are doing it to me, which is unpleasant. far be it from me to stop you. I don't think this "fight"-the wheaties commercial, is anything more then an oversensitive outcry, and I'm putting that on the record. And it's my hopes that people like you, who take offense at that wheaties or mini wheats commercial, don't succeed in raising the standards of the media to your high standards. The whole slippery slope thing. First it's a mini-wheat commercial, then it's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, then it's reruns of the Chapelle show....

SO, yeah, I drew a line in the sand, and plenty of people aren't going to like me for it. SO be it.

Peace. or Shalom.

[AspenRose]

70. Wow.

"I'd rather the people that are offended by these ads just be marginalized, laughed at, and ignored. We just don't need people that are that weak and fragile to tell us what's appropriate or not."

NOW I understand the mindset of why so many whites on DU can't stand it when people of color are offended by something they think is racist. It's the same thing. THIS is the mindset, in a nutshell. And I catch it both ways, being female as well.

That's very telling. Guess I'll just shut up and go crawl back in my hole now. :sarcasm:

By the way, who is "us?" As in "...to tell *us* what's appropriate or not"? Whatever happened to if it affects one, it affects all?

[JacksonWest]

77. "Us" would be the people that wouldn't televise this commercial out of fear of offending someone.

[cboy4]

72. You're an ass.

Ooops, I was too weak and fragile to refrain.

[JacksonWest]

78. I agree.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

90. Well, at least the two of us agree on something.

:eyes:

[demrabble]

73. We Are EXACTLY the People To Say What is Appropriate or Not

"We just don't need people that are that weak and fragile to tell us what's appropriate or not."

Excuse me, but those of us who are the weak, fragile, and marginalized are EXACTLY the people to say what is appropriate and what is not appropriate.

If we (the weak, fragile, and marginalized) are not the ones to determine what is appropriate or not, then it simply becomes the rule of the strongest, the rule of the most aggressive, the rule of those with power.

That sounds very much like Bush's Amerika.

[JacksonWest]

79. There's nothing wrong with being weak and fragile.

I just don't want the bar lowered to meet your expectations and sensitvity. I'm against censorship, and/or the trampling of ideas because of someone's feelings. In every case.

[demrabble]

82. Don't Patronize Me

Do you know how patronizing your post sounds?

Do you also realize how terribly insensitive to those who are not powerful you are?

Do you have any feelings at all?

You say that you are against censorship, and that you do not want the trampling of ideas because of someone's feelings, but I bet you have some pretty strong feelings about what children should or should not see. Should we ignore you feelings about what kids should not see, and allow them to see very graphic material -- so as not to trample any ideas?

[JacksonWest]

86. Children should see whatever their parents allow them to see. It's none of my business.

Every tv has an on and an off button. Every child has a parent or a guardian. I certainly don't think anyone has a right to determine content other then the consumer. If someone doesn't want to take the time or effort to protect their children from things they find harmful, that's a real shame. And the sort of people that wouldn't do that are going to make plenty of other mistakes as well.

Frankly, if you want to do what's best for Kids, don't let them watch anything but PBS. Let them read and use their imagination. TV is a horrible thing to expose a child to. The commercials all send negative messages to kids-from products that encourage kids to not share(trix rabbit) to the promotion of junk food.

What makes you think I'm powerful? I'm a collection of 1s' and 0's. I have one voice. Just like you.

In a perfect world, the only thing the FCC would do would be to block corporate ownership of multiple stations in multiple markets.

And yes, I have feelings. I keep them in a jar next to my bed.

[ThomCat]

88. Ah, so racist parents have a perfect right to have racist

cartoons and ads for their kids to see?

See, you really do approve of bigotry.

[JacksonWest]

94. Of course they have the right. It doesn't mean you or I have to approve it..

Look at the snicker's commercial. It's premise was clearly based on homophobia. Some say it was satire, others say not. It's subjective at best, hateful at worst. And there was an outcry, and it got pulled. The damning evidence was on her snickers website, which really indicated that it was anti-gay.

This commercial, and it's detractors, are a different matter. It's not even a comment on sexuality, but gender. And it doesn't seem unreasonable to have a premise where someone is offended that there gender was confused by someone else.

The big issue is the use of the word "lightweight"-which I think is a stretch. I understand why some people consider it sexist, and my sentiments are that I'm glad that those people aren't in charge of content in media. It's too sensitive, in my opinion.

[ThomCat]

99. I'm glad you're aren't part of the civil rights movement.

You'd set us back decades by being so accomodating.

[JacksonWest]

103. I'm Glad you're not part of the ACLU. You'd shred the constitution to stifle voices you didn't

approve of.

Just out of curiosity, how do you propose to end bigotry? By banning things? Like speech? Because that's what this advertisement is. You don't fight racism and bigotry by attacking the constitution. IF you want to argue that people don't have a right to be racist(implied in your previous thread) how do you enforce that? Do you put them on trial for a belief? I mean, if a racist attacks someone, threatens someone, damages property, it's a crime. And in most states, it can be a hate crime. So, what more do we need?

People have the right to do a lot of things in this country the majority doesn't approve of. Being an asshole bigot is one of them.

[ThomCat]

106. I've been an ACLU donor and supporter for years.

No, I don't propose banning things. But I do propose confronting bigotry wherever and whenever I see it. I don't believe in prior restraint, but I don't believe in looking the other way either.

People may have a right to think racist thoughts, but they don't have a right to take racist actions.

Yes, threatening someone is a crime, when the majority can be bothered to accept that something is a threat.
Yes, attacking someone is a crime, when the majority doesn't say we deserved it.
Yes, damaging property is a crime, when the majority cares.

Of course, if you rely on prosecuting people then you're only going to get the very worst offenders. You're only going to get the people who were so blatant, so obvious, and so prosecutable that we can even get a case to court. That would give many, many people a free pass to get away with a lot of bigotry.

Relying on the law also doesn't help us when the bigotry isn't against the law. Employment discrimination, discrimination in housing, denial of many of the rights and privilages you take for granted, all of these aren't covered by the law at all. Law also doesn't address bullying, belittling, and creating hostile environments.

Relying on prosecution is not enough. Anyone who thinks it is enough clearly doesn't understand discrimination and prejudice. We need to change not just the laws, but also the culture. And you can't change the culture without challenging it.

[Midlodemocrat]

83. YES! I agree. and to prove my point

when my dear friend starts to complain about how her child in a wheelchair feels isolated and marginalized, I'm going to push him down the stairs! That'll teach the little fucker! He needs to toughen up!!

So what if he can't walk? So what if he is at the mercy of taunts all the time? Not my problem. He needs to grow a thicker skin, so my kids can make fun of him.

:sarcasm:

And, you're an idiot.

[JacksonWest]

89. I am an idiot. Thank god I can't control what media you have access to.

And your friend's child in the wheelchair should only be marginalized for trying to control content and stifle other people, not because he or she is in the wheel chair.

You're a lovely person.

Peace.

[Midlodemocrat]

93. No, no, not at all.

ALL the kids want to poke fun of him because he's you, know DIFFERENT!!! He's not "like us", and YOU, bless you, have given everyone the power we need to do just that.

I mean, imagine being offended by something that is offensive? How WEAK!!!! That little fucker has no right to demand equal access to the playground, dammit. MY kids can walk. MY kids can get around just fine. Why should I have to even THINK about his rights?

I'm not gonna do it. Anyone who is offended needs to GET OVER IT!!!

What a great world this will be! I can hardly, fucking wait. No compassion. No caring. No reaching out to others. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that I will have all this spare time now that I won't be advocating for equal rights for EVERYONE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[Duncan Grant]

96. You're the person I want for a neighbor and friend, Midlo.

Thank you for expressing the values I believe most people at DU hold. :applause:

[ThomCat]

108. She's one of maybe 20 people here at DU

I'd love to share a neighborhood with. :)

[JacksonWest]

98. I don't think people should be marginalized because they are "different".

I think they should be marginalized, laughed at, and ignored because they actively seek to impose an unreasonable viewpoint on other people, in regards to a specific forum-television in this case.

If you want to abstract my thoughts to other topics, you can and have.

I give no one power other then myself. People are free to do what they like, and think what they like. As far as the child in the wheel chair- he or she has every right to the playground and the respect of his or her peers. I don't share the thoughts you extrapolated from my other comments. Take that at face value, or tell me I hate handicapped kids.

Peace.

[Midlodemocrat]

105. I AGREE with you.

I think they should be marginalized, laughed at, and ignored because they actively seek to impose an unreasonable viewpoint on other people, in regards to a specific forum-television in this case.

Not on TV, but IRL here, those disabled kids want access to the playground. I say horseshit and I will laugh at you for imposing your views, as WELL As your desire to USE MY TAX money that way. Off with you.

And, damn those 'uppity gays' for DARING to say that they thought a commercial was homophobic and offensive. How DARE they have an opinion? How dare they think that the pervasive attitude in this county that it's okay to make fun of the gay population is wrong?

Where the HELL am I going to get my gay bashing material if I have to be sensitive to THEIR needs? I mean, really.

How DARE they have an opinion? Seriously, they totally need to lighten up.

And, you need to go away. Your premise is so offensive, it's fucking laughable.

[JacksonWest]

111. Then laugh.

[Midlodemocrat]

113. I AM!! I'm in fucking hysterics over here.

And, it's all because of you. You're such a giver.

[JacksonWest]

116. Why do you hate handicapped kids so much?

Bad Kharma.

Peace.

[Midlodemocrat]

117. STOP IT!! STOP IT!!!

You're gonna make me throw up from laughing.


:rofl:

Midlo - hater of the handicapped. OMFG. Too funny for words.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

118. I knew it!

I bet you hate gay people, too.

:cry:

Ready for "Trading Spouses?"

[Midlodemocrat]

120. Ooh, thanks for reminding me.

But, first I have to think of some more cripple jokes. Us handicap haters have a quota you know.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

121. I bet you ThomCat could tell you some good ones.

Mods: This is not a personal attack on ThomCat. He's my IRL bud.

[Midlodemocrat]

123. I appreciate that, but apparently, I am partial to handicapped

children.

I guess those handicapped accessible games et al I donated to the elementary school 10 years ago was just a cover for my evil, sick, anti-handicapped child agenda. MWAHHHHAHHAHHA

[ThomCat]

126. Yup. Haruka's one of my buds.

But, I'm afraid to say, I don't know any good handicapped jokes. :dunce:

[Midlodemocrat]

129. Then you aren't trying hard enough.

APparently jokes about the disabled or anyone else who is offended by anything abound and we need to LIGHTEN UP!!

:YIPPEEE:

[JacksonWest]

119. I will not stop defending the handicapped. It's not funny.

PLease, please, please, for the sake of the children. Stop. Please.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

122. Who cares about the weak kids?

Mock them. They deserve it.

[Midlodemocrat]

125. What about the weak, handicapped, gay kids?

Talk about a trifecta! Plethora of material there, baby.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

131. Fuck them.

That's my motto.

While we're at it, I hate women. They need to stop whining, too. So what if they don't have equal pay or anything? They belong in the kitchen, cooking food and fetching slippers for their man.

[ThomCat]

124. OMG! Why didn't you tell me you hate disabled people?

:cry: :waves my crutches at Midlo:

Though, I question whether someone who actually refers to people as "handicapped" knows any. That's so several decades ago. :eyes:

[Midlodemocrat]

128. Thom, Thom. It's apparently part of my anti-handicapped children

agenda. I just wish I had any idea what that was. :eyes:

[JacksonWest]

132. OMGWAL

You are awesome. Made my night. Wow. That was so 1998. I'm in love with you.

[ThomCat]

109. Nice theory, but if you implement it, the result is unrestricted

hatred and hostile messages. The real world isn't nearly as neat as your conviction.

[redqueen]

100. :)

:loveya:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

91. LostinVA and I just want to say...

you're our hero.

:loveya:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

87. Translation: Shut up gays. I don't care what you think, so just shut up.

:puke:

[HardRocker05]

56. Maybe this will: as a woman i find it extremely tiring that so much of the male psyche and

a good part of the female psyche is built around the idea that anything associated with females is offensive and demeaning when associated with males. if this ad existed totally in a vacuum, with no history and no context, you might have a point, but the fact is that it is but a small part of an ubiquitous way of thinking that has existed from the beginning of time, and as i said, it's just gets a little bit tiring when you hear for the zillionth time someone either taking or giving offense based on the association of something feminine with a man.

[Divine Discontent]

58. jacksonwest reply

a guy thought he was a woman? But then why didn't the voice say, "just because i'm pink doesn't mean I have to be a lady!"

as someone mentioned above --- Sadly, WE COULD POINT OUT ---- tons of this indoctrination that is written into commercials, news, shows, movies, etc, that are repeatedly spewed out to us every hour of every day ---- AND SHOULD!



www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- antibush prodem stickers/shirts

[daveskilt]

62. absolutely right this IS everywhere

the joy of degrees in sociology and an MBA with marketing. marketing is full of sex and exploitation of sex, race, gender, stereotypes etc. They teach you how to do it. The sociology undergrad I have kept shouting at me from the back of my head every time I learned anything new in marketing classes.

drinks ads - straws are always at 60-80 degree angles to simulate a penis. they always point to waist height of the female or end at her breasts.

open any magazine - the typed words are always over the chest of the female model. often the words end at the hem of a skirt or waistband. draws the eyes you see.

I wont even get into color schemes and how close ups of product are used to look like parts of the body.

The use of any particular word in a national ad is carefully vetted to ensure the right effect. lightweight = weak. this product is strong and masculine and has all of the benefits and nutrition of the earlier accepted product. the pink does not make it feminine (negative). lightweight conveys negative feminine assosciations and a strong masculine rebuttal of that reinforces the strength and value of the product.

You and I may think that is ridiculous. You and I may never even think through this type of thing. You and I may think a cigar is just a cigar.

You and I are not the marketing folks who work out every subtext of every word in a national ad they are spending over a million bucks on. These guys spend a lot of time learning EXACTLY how to use words and know exactly the subtext they are putting out. and it really is everywhere.

The only question is in which battles to fight. this isn't high on the list IMO.

[redqueen]

64. we can fight more than one battle at a time, though...

while i agree it isn't so high on the list, as compared to fighting ignorance and inaction about global warming, continuing and expanding needless war(s) in the middle east, etc.

it does affect many of us, and as such, we are all free to decide whether or not it is a battle we have the time / energy to fight.

love your post!

:hi:

[daveskilt]

101. words matter. Words are violent

(and just because a young U of M student like jackson doesn't know that yet doesn't make it less true)

Words enable action. And inappropriate use of language is high on my list of personal battles (war is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength yknow) language allows oppression by making it normal and unconscious.

I even spend more time on language than on directly approaching the other issues you mention. in the litany of language offences a sexist miniwheat isnt as high on my personal list as some of the egregious use of language by governments (clear skies, no child left behind) or a lot of other ad campaigns - but if you can fight the good fight you are my hero.

also HUZZAH! as someone who has lurked a lot more than posted over the last 5 years, I have always liked your posts and opinions so a smile a wave and a love your post from you made my day!

[Katherine Brengle]

15. I saw that a couple of weeks ago and actually...

did find it a little... weird and disconcerting...

:(

[helderheid]

22. Sexist and homophobic. Pink is "lightweight"? Fuck them.

[Virginia Dare]

34. What is it with the passive/aggressive stereotyping in the media?

We're constantly being fed commercials, films, and television shows depicting men as boobs and nincompoops, and usually fat slobs. Some really smart and beautiful lady is always nearby to straighten him out, and warm his bed.

But it's always served up with a wink and a nod, the idea that, hey this is just a joke, we know who is really in charge here, it's just that men can't be bothered with mundane things like taking care of the home and the kids and other such nonsense.

[Little Wing]

24. I think calling them "mini" wheats demeans little people

They should be little wheats

[matcom]

27. but not midget wheats

[deepthought42]

25. Comes off almost as saying pink does not necessarily mean light weight.

Not that I find anything wrong w/being "light weight", whatever that means. We can't all be masculine. Meh. I don't pay attention to commericials anyway...

[The Straight Story]

26. but isn't queer eye for the straight guy straight-a-phobic

:rofl:

[JackBeck]

48. ...

http://www.thequeereye.com/Be_on_the_Show/

[The Straight Story]

97. I'd love to be on the show, as long as no one has any snickers bars on em :) (nt)

[JackBeck]

133. Then fill out the application. n/t

[ecstatic]

66. that's "heterophobic"

LOL... I actually saw that term used online in a few places.

[demrabble]

28. It's Offensive

I have seen that ad, and I think it is most offensive.

Imagine the message it sends to little boys.

Not only that, but I think it is really part of a larger plan to de-sensitize all of us to homophobia.

[helderheid]

29. Imagine the message it sends girls too.

[demrabble]

31. Agreed.

Sorry that I failed to mention that.

Thanks for catching that!

[helderheid]

32. :)

:hi:

[LoZoccolo]

33. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvYq459aQhY

[Spangle]

36. My take on it was...

I guess people could read what they want into it. But "homophobic" isn't the message I got. I was thinking it brought out the point of 'assumption.' Brownie seen Pink, and automaticly assumed he could hit on pink. And of course, pink would be apprecative. Never mind that pink didn't give browning any 'clues' that he was intrested in such 'hit.' It was ALL because he was wearing pink.

People tend to judge by what they see, not what they know about a person. Consider how people judge and react around gothic kids. They are wearing black, their hair is 'such and such', so they must be 'xyz.'

A guy wearing pink, generally is just a shirt choice. (However, Pinkie didn't get to choose his frosting choice.) A girl who looks 'tom-boyish' are traits they are born with. People assume that if a girl looks tom-boyish, then she is gay. (In the past, if she played sports, then she was forced pegged as being Tom-Boyish) It's also assumed that girls that look tom-boyish and gay females don't like 'girlie things.' So such females are not 'gifted' girlie things when it's time to pass out the presents. Guys assume that with such a 'look', that they are not intrested in guys. And if the female is dressed 'hot', then she is looking for a male and a male only. BAD assumptions!

In todays dating game, one can't assume based upon how a person looks are what they are wearing.

In that ad, brownie assumed that pinkie would be intrested in a pass from him (a guy.) So he made the pass on that assumption alone. If pinkie was a girl, the same 'game' could have been played out. Wither the girl was 'straight' or "gay', the point is mute. Brownie ASSUMED based strictly on 'pink' that the pass would be 'ok.' That gives the impression that if the other guy was wearing brown, then such a thought wouldn't have entered his head. Male or female, it wouldn'thave jumped 'there.'

In todays society, guys can wear pink. Guys can wear long hair. Guys can put all sorts of 'girlie' stuff in their hair. They can wear ear-rings. Geezes, male goth kids wear boots with extreamly high heels. Tee Hee.. 20 or so years ago, if a guy did any one of these things publicly, it would be assumed he was gay. Not today. SAme with the ladies. Just because a female is dressed to the 'nines', doesn't mean she is 'straight' and looking for a guy to pick her up.

20 years ago, yes, I would think that whole ad was homophobic or making fun of those that are homophobic. But now, the ad can also be seen as what happens when people ASSUME based upon outward appearences. Or old fashioned ideas.

[bling bling]

41. I saw that commercial too.

When I saw it, it seemed a little strange to me too. I thought about it and decided they probably did the commercial to target boys who otherwise in the grocery store would tell their mom "I don't want THAT cereal...it's for GIRLS!"

[Quixote1818]

110. Thats what I took away from it too

That even tough guys can dress in pink and thats OK.

[sakabatou]

46. Yeah, I saw that one

Wasn't funny.

[Katherine Brengle]

47. Yet another reason to buy generic - I'm snacking on "Frosted Mini Spooners" right now

and they're delicious - and less than $2 a bag!

[meow mix]

127. i get those too

they r teh good!

[fishwax]

50. Is this the ad (link)

the closest I could find offhand ... it's close to the scenario you laid out: http://uncutvideo.aol.com/videos/d4a9ca6703895acaa13ea4b8493dbb2f

[sandnsea]

52. Well that's homophobic, no question

Who are these admakers anyway. I don't understand how anybody would want to teach their kids it's clever to make jokes at other people's expense.

[redqueen]

54. Check out post 49 for a clue. n/t

[Quixote1818]

130. They are clearly trying to get boys to feel comfortable eating a pink cereal

In advertising it's all about making money and if you can have a pink cereal that is macho and has a strong male voice, little boys will feel cool picking it out at the grocery store. I can't see how anyone could take this any differently? It's just the opposite of homophobia, it's saying that pink is macho too.

[SmokingJacket]

51. Ads are the reason I don't watch teevee

Some shows are good, but I can't get over being listening to ads that treat me like I'm an idiot.

[ecstatic]

60. I dunno... I'm picking up more of a racist vibe

With the brown mini coming on to the pink mini...

I guess "offensive" is in the eye of the beholder?

[redqueen]

65. It truly is.

Insults as jokes ... when will people tire of them?

[AspenRose]

71. It's the republican big-money way.

This new Faux News political "comedy" show suggests killing liberals. Ha ha, very funny. NOT.

[redqueen]

74. Oh no... does it?

:(

*sigh*

[NEDem]

75. Thats so offensive

Granted, I'm not a brown or a pink frosted mini-wheat, and I guess I'm not really allowed to have an opinion about what may or may not be offensive to brown and/or pink mini-wheats, but I'm just saying that if I was a brown or pink mini-wheat, I'd be offended.

[kingoth]

104. kill your TV

[Quixote1818]

107. Give me a break, it wasn't homophobic

The pink guy felt embarrassed because another guy thought he was a woman.

[Quixote1818]

112. I thought the ad said that even tough macho guys are OK to dress in pink

and now boys will feel cool buying cereal that is pink because it's macho too. :shrug:

[DarkTirade]

114. Umm... I'm not seeing homophobia there...

I'm seeing a poke at the established gender roles there. Pink does not equal girl. Although the one I saw, I don't think he said that 'back off' line, he just said, "Huh? Are you talking to me?"

[LostInAnomie]

115. I can't do this hard enough.

:eyes: