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Super Bowl ads are no stranger to controversy, but Volkswagen's newly released commercial is already raising eyebrows.
In it, "Dave" – a white man from Minnesota – speaks in a fake Jamaican accent as he implores his co-workers to "get happy" and overcome "the Mondays." Eventually, office life brightens and Dave takes his boss and some co-workers for a spin in his Beetle. Each speaks with a Jamaican accent as the commercial ends.
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I found the ad amusing and I'm watching it from Kingston, Jamaica. Today uses an "expert" who's so far removed from "us" who would be offended. That we would found offensive.
Being thin-skinned is not a Jamaican characteristic.
We have reached a threshhold in our politically correct society where something at sometime somewhere is going to offend someone. There is no way around it. We can either continue to walk on eggshells around everyone we come into contact with, or we can relax. It's obvious the commercial is trying to paint a picture of the tropical, relaxing days that one may spend in a place such as Jamaica. Buy this car, feel happy. No racism, nothing negative. They better not cut it from the super bowl to make a point.
Has it occurred to the recent guest, Barbara from MediaPost, that there are a lot of Jamaicans that have a strong accent and are also white? How can a white, non Jamaican profess to be offended by something that offers no offence to her? This is not specifically to say that Barbara is the only person with this viewpoint but, for those that do, step back and relax while having "happy thoughts". Try not to always look for something to be offensive.
I agree! I find it especially amusing that she had the gall to say the commercial was offense but thought it was perfectly okay to refer to a Jamaican accent as a "black accent."
agreed, the lady in the pink is a fool, how is she a commercial expert? ill bet my life that it goes on air after seeing 97% of people think its non-offensive. people need to relax and not take things so seriously or offensively. Jamaica is known as the happy island lady its not a crack at african americans people you fool
Al Roker making a bad German impression is somehow not offensive, but an upbeat VW commercial is?
It's a shame that we can no longer enjoy something for it's entertainment value without searching for racial undertones that were never intended. To put it simply, we need to lighten up. If we spent as much energy finding the good in life as we do in finding the offensive in life, the world would be a much happier place.
I have to agree with Matt Lauer, it just puts a smile on your face, i think the people that are offended are over thinking the ad!!
This ad is about having fun -- islands are associated with vacation, relaxation and fun. A Jamaican accent is a perfect way to convey that attitude and feeling. Reggae is associated with Jamaica and islands - is a white person in band, signing a Bob Marley song offensive? Of course not!
The message is Volkswagen equals happy. What's wrong with that?
I did not find offense to it. My husband and I love Jamaica. The people there are always so happy and friendly. So when I hear their voices, it brings me happiness.
No. It is not offensive. It is funny and puts a smile on your face to hear a man from Minnesota talking with a Jamaican accent. It is so sad that the world we live in today can take a simple commercial and turn it into something offensive and racist.
This is what political correctness has come to these days? White people imitating a Jamaican accent is considered by some to be offensive? Really? The commentator on the today show has some issues of her own by calling a Jamaican accent a "black accent". There are plenty of non-black people living on Jamaica with that accent too. Are they racist too? I'm convinced that people barely know what racism is anymore.
Stop looking for reasons to criticize everything! This ad is happy!!!! My kids would think of happy Island people, is that a bad thing? I LOVE this ad!
How can this commercial be racist? They clearly are making the people in the commercial have a Jamaican accent to go along with the song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Also, the woman you interview stated that, "...saying that black people are happier." Not all Jamaicans are darker colored, so don't try to say that it's a colored thing. This commercial is just saying that if you buy the car, it will make you feel like you are on a vacation, and to be happy to live. Thanks.
Are you kidding me? another black face with voices? I and my family are educated Jamaicans who have lived and are citizens of the US and we are offended. Be careful, VW, the Jamaican community and we have big influence on a large amount of people, you might loose a lot of customers.
So going with your "black face" theory, if this was a black person in the add it would be ok? Portraying a culture as positive and happy is something that Jamaica revels in. Not to mention, last time I checked, there were white/euopean, Jamaicans too.
On a side note, dont you think it's possible that Americans view Jamaican culture as a whole and not as a BLACK culture?
As a current owner of a VW Bug, everyone is misses the mark, accept for Matt. I have owned my car for 8 years, and all this ad is saying is it is a fun car to own, and fun to drive, and it does put you in a good mood. Nothing to do with race!!!!!!!!!
If this ad is offensive then I have to quite singing/quoting Bob Marley songs when I want to cheer someone up.
If a black man/woman spoke in a brogue to sell Guiness I wouldn't be offended.
I totally understand you because your people didn't endure slavery and still face bias today....a matter of fact, they got enriched and still have not paid it back. I love Guinness by the way, just like most Jamaicans do. We are easy going but we just want to know your motives are clean. Once we know that we can have fun with almost everything. Common sense say, ovoid these ads/jokes. Reserve them for your friends who know you. Accept that some people are offended. It is our right. ONE LOVE!
People need to lighten up. It is funny not offensive ... I agree with the above comment .. find something else to complain about.
The reaction to this VW ad shows stereotypical ignorance of life in the Caribbean Islands!
I am a "white American" who was raised in the Caribbean. The island accent is heard on all islands in the Caribbean chain from people black, white, asian, hispanic, etc!
We Americans have become too politically correct and ridiculously
over sensitive