Six Flags commercials called racist by some Asian Americans

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

"More Flags, More Fun" may mean "More Outrage" for Six Flags over the amusement park chain's summer ad campaign featuring a screaming, thickly-accented young Asian man. The commercials, which have been airing nationally for months, are being called offensive, or worse, racist.

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Jeff's avatar
I can't read the minds of the agency who came up with this, but isn't it supposed to be in the style of the Japanese game shows that everyone is so interested in now? That's the context I got, but I doubt many people end up watching them for hours in Vegas hotel rooms.

I think I can concede the spots as being insensitive, but I don't think I'd call them racist. Then again, I'm not Asian.

Oh my gosh....an asian person with a strong asian accent! THE HORRORS! (eyeroll)

It's not like they had him mispronouncing words in a stereotypical way (dropping 'r' sounds, etc.).

*** This post was edited by redman822 8/5/2008 9:59:32 AM ***

LOL...

I bowled for many years with Chinese guys, some with heavy accents. They took no offense to much. Hearing my friend Larry (who pronounced his name Warry) sing karaoke versions of Three Dogs Nights 'joy to the world' was awe inspiring...
;)

I can see the lawsuit coming now....

Vater's avatar
Call ME insensitive, but I think people who gripe about insignificant crap like this have way too much free time.
I'm actually surprised it's taken this long for a backlash. When I first saw the spokesman I didn't think asians would be offended. I was offended because blue, green, black or yellow, he comes off as being stereotypically retarded and spastic.

But really, would we expect any more from a second-rate carnival company that lives in perpetual bankruptcy but continues to build multi-million dollar rides that they can't staff or maintain?

Lord Gonchar's avatar
This is exactly what's wrong with the world.

When did we, as a whole, become such whiny bitches about everything?

Mamoosh's avatar
Oh please, please, please, please let it be that the person at the agency who dreamt up the campaign is Asian ;)
ApolloAndy's avatar
I happen to be American born Chinese blood, but I will speak for me, not half the world's population:

I think this is a crock. I didn't even notice the guy's race/ethnicitiy/accent until my wife pointed it out. Then again, I didn't think my parents had an accent, but I guess they do. Is there even a stereotype of Asians (whatever the heck that means - Asia is a pretty freakin' big place) being loud and obnoxious? Does the stereotype affect Asian earning potential or upward mobility? I personally say no.

I saw this same commercial in Spanish with the same guy speaking Spanish, so I always thought he was Hispanic!

My suggestion is to give him a skin-head wig and a tux.

Mamoosh's avatar
(whatever the heck that means - Asia is a pretty freakin' big place)

LOL...good point Andy. The travel magazine I work for is publishing a supplement in September, it's called "Great Escapes to Asia." The government tourist boards who are participating advertisers: China, Malaysia, Thailand, and India.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 8/5/2008 2:20:57 PM ***

Flyingskooter said:

But really, would we expect any more from a second-rate carnival company that lives in perpetual bankruptcy but continues to build multi-million dollar rides that they can't staff or maintain?

==================================

Did Shapiro piss in your cheerios or something?

MidwavePC's avatar
Just like seeing 'Paulie' from 'The Sopranos' telling us the breakfast at the 'quickie burger joint isn't real, so he pays with Monopoly money, then heads to Denny's....

Should I be boycotting Denny's cause I'm an American-Italian and it makes me look like I'm a mobster if I eat at Dennys (even though I look like my Slovak father)????

ROFLMAO

How ridiculous the assumptions are!

I'm not going to stop enjoying life because of a company's commercial, and I don't pay attention to commercials, nor much television, anyways, unless they are announcing a limited special on entertainment or something I need that I might consider stocking up on.

Mamoosh's avatar
Chitown - wouldn't a more appropriate response be "Did someone trim your coaster or something?" ;)
Hey, I'm Ukrainian. If any of you say one bad thing about my babushka, I'll hurl Easter Eggs and Perogies at you!
Then i'll get my lawyer!
;)
MidwavePC's avatar
hey FlyinScooter....

I'll trade you some cavatelli for some peirogi!

Oh wait....i'll eat them both, and steal yours (LOL)...Peirogi is a general Slovenian regional dish, because I was brought up on homemade peirogi that my Aunt made all the time.

I can tell the difference between homemade peirogi and cavatelli...but if I'm hungry, I'm not going to turn away the machine-made ones.

^my grandma used to make bath tubs full of perogi.
Anyone else miss Parma Perogies?
Tradin'd food is good. Imagine a C-Buzz international food fest?
could be fun...
kpjb's avatar
As someone with Italian descent, I'm morally offended by commercials that show a family taking their relatives from Italy to the Olive Garden for dinner.

What the hell is offensive about someone with Asian descent speaking with an accent? Who cares if he's acting stupid? Are you telling me there's no stupid people in all of Asia? There are idiots everywhere of every color.

The Six Flags guy is asain? I wish they would should have gone back to Mr. Six, but since it offended the old who dance really well, the park couldnt risk it.
rollergator's avatar
^^^"Imagine a C-Buzz international food fest?"

An event at Knoebels? :)

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