Check out this piece I happened upon on The Daily Beast discussing Pepsi Max’s Super Bowl commercial – and its use of that old stereotype, the Angry Black Woman. Here’s the clip below…
The author of the Beast piece, also a black woman, says she thought the commercial was funny and recounts when she used a harsh tongue with her own husband. But here’s where her argument jumps the tracks. She asks why people are getting upset over a cola commercial when you can see all manner of black women behaving badly on Jerry Springer or Maury. On this point, she is correct. But those shows have a fraction of the eyeballs watching. The Jerry Springer show just had its best audience in five years with total viewership of 3.2 million people. The Superbowl had its best viewership as well with 111 million people tuning in. You don’t need me to tell you with numbers like that the demographics are probably vastly different as well.
I have said it before and I will say it again. The reason this is important is because TV shapes the way we see the world. I’m tired of seeing spots like this, tired of people assuming because I come in with my big ‘fro or I don’t have a perpetual smile that I am an Angry Black Woman. And I DON’T want people to think I am in anyway like this villain of reality TV.
So here’s today’s debate…
And what are your thoughts on the Angry Black Woman stereotype… does it drive you crazy, or do you think it’s just harmless fun?
Fire away!
Ok, so I'm from the Caribbean and as such I don't have the experience of a Black woman in America……I watched the commercial and what I saw was a woman trying to get her husband to eat better. Using the tight little blonde in the end is iffy- they could have used a tight little black girl to the same effect. But to me this commercial could have easily been all white, or asian, or hispanic. The woman is not angry, she's probably just fed up of her husband's poor eating habits- many women can understand that. But as I said, I'm not a Black woman in America, so I may be missing some experience or something that would change my perspective.
Wow. This is an edgy commercial. I wonder the race of the people on the advertising team who created this concept and what their real life experiences have been that they thought this was plausible. Because it is! Very! I'm a black woman and I do believe that most black women have an attitude problem or short fuses including myself. Some of us even have high blood pressure to prove it. Emotions and attitude come from the spiritual world and without a very wise and spiritually healthy man's intuitive guidance (a platonic, father figure, and GOD doesn't count) over a long period of time a woman is not going to be able to sufficiently get a hold on to that world. But once we do, we smile, laugh and love just like women from other cultures. And we don't feel insecure when our non-platonic man smiles and says hello to a white woman or a woman of any other race who is sharing a park bench with us.
I am offended by the Pepsi commercial as it is laden with stereotypes!
And as for the "Angry Black Woman" issue I have a question, "Does anyone every ASK the 'Angry Black Woman' WHY she's angry?"
Could it be all of the cruelty that Black women face or are reminded of on a DAILY basis either overtly or covertly?
Could it be due to major news network programs like Nightline running a story about why Black women cannot find husbands?
Could it be the continual Black woman-bashing and objectifying that we see in certain music videos?
Could it be the insult of certain Black men not wanting Black women because they think they are "too loud," "too mean," "too dark" or have "nappy hair?"
REALLY?!
There are SO many cards stacked up against Black women in this world that it's amazing we're still able to LIVE!
And then people want to know WHY Black are ANGRY?!
Think about it!
As a business major with high marks in the field of marketing in particular, many people fail to realize the significant amount of research that go into commercial advertising before the final product is revealed. A key issue is the fact that advertising is not a random decision, but an issue of observance of human behavior. So there is an inverse relationship, wherein the commercials do not just seek to influence consumer behavior, but the consumers (humans) influence the advertisements.
A commentator observed the behavior of some of the girls in her school. I will admit, I also grew up with young women and men who fell into behaviorial stereotypes. The "ghetto" the "gangsta" or "the angry black woman" are not just stereotypes thought up on a fictional whim. All stereotypes contain some element of truth (from an objective perspective consider stereotypes for other races that might contain some truth on the basis of person, not commercial or television based, observation), and it is up to the individual, the race, the culture, and ultimately the society to "prove" that these stereotypes do not apply to everyone. Emphasis on education, skills in communication (the avoidance of the ebonics a commentator demonstrated with "I is"), and an attempt to engage in rational rather than empassioned dialogue/debates/arguments where on conducts oneself with a behavior that suggest intellectuality is the real way to move away from unwanted stereotypes. Remember commercials attempt to target consumers on the basis of research to best capture our interests, so while it's never okay to insult people with stereotypes it's also damaging for us to ignore even the slightest touch of truth that stereotypes might contain.
I didn't see the commercial until last week on youtube. My reaction was, "You Gotta Be kidding me". Too violent and the typical black man, white women syndrome. That being said, some parts did make me crack a smile but not in a good way.
All this black fighting is tiresome literally making me ill. In addition blacks are the most racist of groups in this generation and its only going to get worst.
WHich is why I'm all for interracial dating, to me that is the only way to stop this non-sense.
But if we keep publicizing (my spelling sucks) 🙂 these so called stereotypes on forums, blogs, Youtube and TV Dont Complain.
Good example, If another forum has a title call "WHy Black women are lonely?", don't log on there answering that silly question. Because guess who is going to read it, other races believe or not. Next you'll see a show about it on tv or a skit on Youtube done by some white dude/black dude!
Now your gonna be pissed but who is the one who responded to such maddness, you did!
ALL I have to say is Black women need to grow up! and stop feeding the world crap! If your not like that then keep quiet and live your life!
I know this is a real late post but besides the commercial, I was APPALLED at Omarosa's behavior on the Wendy Williams Show. I was hoping she didn't act like that on a daily basis but I had my hopes in the wrong place. Hands down I know she's extremely educated but she shouldn't let her intelligence get to her head. Now I hope she acts like she has a heart in front of the kids in her charity.
As for the commercial…I didn't find funny. I thought it was unnecessarily violent. Angy Black Woman? Regarding the situation I think she was angry for the right reason, but that doesn't make her an Angry Black Woman.
http://stop-the-media-smear-of-black-women.blogspot.com/
I guess most of the S A's that think this Pepsi commercial is ok, or even stupid enough to think it's funny, wouldn't mind if every black guy they saw on TV had a white wife. This message is not good for black women. In case no one noticed there is a bad trend in the TV commercial industry where most of the bk's are men, & the bk women that depicted as wives r always light in color, so light as to appear white. The recent McD's commercial is a good example. Another observation is that ever time u see a number of people in a commercial they always put a bk guy next to a white female, every time. This is a "subliminal message" that tweeks people. If the ad industry wants to depict blk's why don't they use as many bk women as they do men, or instead of using so many bk guys use blk women. R they against blk women. R they against bk women who r more bk than light skined. Who's in charge of TV ad's, homosexuals.
Ok, I see an angry WOMAN! The colour is secondary to me. I choose my battles and this one just ain't worth it. I'm too comfortable in my beautiful black skin to give a damn.
Yes it is negative and I am offended!!! To those who think its just a storm in a teacup – Obviously you have been living under a rock for the past few years as Black people and especially black women are not taken very seriously. In fact we're being laughed at!!
While some of us like to shake our a@@ in the latest hip hop videos the other half are being seen as loud, obnoxious and bossy…
Why, Oh why are you not offended by this? Is this what you want your kids to see and accept? Is this the kind of life you want for them… where black people are seen as not being able to communicate without getting loud, where yet another black man moves on to a white girl because she is seen as being "quieter", where people are no longer standing together for issues… because if we as black people are divided over how we are seen in a commercial…. we are totally lost cause apparently most of us have already been desensitized by what we see on television, it is normal to see black people to act this way, who would of thought this day would come?
For me I would like to see that one day I'll see a black family living behind a white picket fence. They the family treats each other with respect and they behave them selves like prople with sense. Doesn't that sound amazing… Do you think a producer would make that show some day?
Also I expected that this site where you see mostly black products and I think that most of the readers here are black would have some sort of respect for those who find the commercial offensive. BUT I see that most of the comments have writers screaming "You all are overly sensitive" Some one said we are seeing the commercial as being "racialy sterotyped,its not that at all…" and another commenter ssying "we should just lighten up" but I would like to let these writers know they are making a grave mistake and we will all lose out in the end as you are allowing others to shape how our world, our black communities are being seen and how other people relate to blacks.
In addition to this when issues like this arise on other sites, most white writers usually say we're are making too much of this and we are being overly sensitive. It hurts me when these same type of comments come from our own black people. The same people who will also feel the effects of people being afraid of blacks and thinking that all blacks are loud and obnoxious. Its quite amazing!!
wow, you guys are blind…seriously…getting upset over such a negative portrayal of black women is giving into the stereotype…wow……..*backs far away from CN community*
There was a big debate about this on Youtube. I thought the commercial was funny, and I am a Black woman. The girlfriend is trying to get her boyfriend to make healthier choices. They could have cast any ethnicity to be in the commercial. But it would not have been as funny.
If we get ANGRY about it then that feeds into the stereotype. And you know how *THEY* love to flip things around (REVERSE RACISM, UGH!). People are going to continue to think whatever they think–locally and globally. The day will come when things will change behind and in front of the camera. But until then we have to continue to shape our image in our daily lives–in our daily interactions with others.
And who are we kidding??? If people are living in places like Utah, and the like, they don't want to be around Black people anyway!!! Also, we should not be drinking Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max–No soda/pop. It's bad for your body. 🙂
This is a part of popular culture, and popular culture is all about commodifying people, places and things. If you don't like it don't buy it. Most of us are educated and understand high/low culture. Ignorant people believe everything that they see on TV. And that is why TV is bad for you,too. 😉
We are smarter than this, but the powers that be are not–poor them. That being said, we still spend money. And as long as we consume the products there is no incentive for companies to change anything.
I've been called "The Angry Black Woman" because I'm educated and opinionated, and when it comes to the issues of self-determination of Black folk, I am passionate about that work. However, I feel that people use the term out of context.
Omorosa is not that person…she is an actress playing a role. She is down right rude, and disrespectful in her portrayal of the educated Black woman with something to say, which makes it more difficult for women who can speak with the same acumen and passion but be tactful and respectful about it.
The Pepsi commercial to me is WAY MORE than about the wife/girlfriend continually getting upset with the man ie the Angry Black Woman. The more disturbing stereotype is the thought that black men always go for white women. This has been a disturbing stereotype since slavery, which caused Black men to be seen as a danger and as a villain. I WILL be writing a letter to Pepsi about that!!!!
WHY DO YOU ALL NOT SEE AN ISSUE? MAYBE ITS BECAUSE YOUR SO USED TO BLACK WOMEN BEING LOOKED AT AS MEAN THAT IT DOESNT EVEN AFFECT YOU ANYMORE. WHY WAS THE LADY THE BLACK MAN WAS LUSTING OVER WHITE? WHY COULDNT SHE HAVE ALSO BEEN BLACK? SO IT JUST SHOWS THAT THE BLACK WOMAN WAS JEALOUS OF HER MAN LOOKING AT THE WHITE WOMEN, SO SHE THREW A CAN AT HER HEAD! WHAT? THATS OK TO YOU ALL? OR ARE YOU ALL JUST IGNORANT TOO!
Yes everyone write pepsi!
I do not know if this was already mentioned, but for those of us who felt like this commercial was stereotypical and offensive…
PepsiCo, Inc.
700 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 253-2000
Take action ladies! You wrote about your feelings here; now tell someone who can do something about it.
.
I think that some black women can appear as agressive, loud, vocal because they are not used to speaking quietly.
So, PEOPLE FROM NON BLACK COMMUNITIES in which this kind of women behaviour is not socially accepted can be quite UNSETTLED and AFRAID facing this kind of black women.
Still, a lot of black women are classy (RESPECT TO MICHELLE OBAMA) and don't understand why they should be labelled as hysteric and madwomen.
Because, yelling and being rude and agressive just means that you lack other ways of expressing yourself and being taken into consideration.
Personnally, I FOUND THE COMMERCIAL OFFENSIVE BECAUSE AS A FRENCH BLACK WOMAN I THINK THAT THE WOMAN COULD COMMUNICATE IN A MORE APPROPRIATE WAY WITH HER MAN.
MOREOVER, SHE IS THE ONE THAT NEEDS FIRST TO HAVE BETTER EATING HABITS AND EXERCISE.
So, at the end of the day what is really important is SELF-RESPECT, RESPECT,CONFIDENCE and CLASS. CLASS NEVER HURTS…
(P.S.: the commercial is funny at the end when showing what might happen if you harass constantly your man. It might find someone nicer to him…)
The commercial could have EASILY been with a White couple! It was about healthy choices in regards to his eating habits. I can tell you that with SOME black people you are damned if you don't and damned if you do. If this would have been a white couple then SOME people would be like "I'm tired of *them* acting like we don't care about our health."
We are under a microscope because we are the ones holding them nowadays by making EVERYTHING a racial issue.
Let me preface my comments by saying that the commercial didn't upset me. Nor does Omarosa, Wendy Williams, The Game, RHOA, Tyler Perry or other stereotype driven depictions of Black Americans. I'm also not upset by the stereotypes played upon in the commercial (or stereotypes in general). Humor is subjective. I am thoroughly over the commercial itself, but a little confused about the discussion amongst Black women about it. I guess I'm just puzzled by the dismissive attitudes of those who found it funny, and the lack of self awareness many of us have as individuals about how perceptions of a GROUP affect our individual realities. If you found it funny, laugh on. But why should those who are upset "get over it?" They have a legitimate concern and a right to speak on it. Perceptions can be (and often ARE) shaped by something as innocuous as a commercial. To be very real, we live in a global world. And this commercial will probably air all over the world–not just in English speaking countries, by the way. For those of you who find it funny "in context" I want to know exactly how it should be received out of context in places that see limited representations of Black Americans. That includes other "Black" nations. All the back and forth with quisquella above should illustrate that even amongst ethnic groups in this country there are still lasting stereotypes that separate. And the answer is for us as individuals to "prove the stereotypes" wrong with our examples? Sorry, I'm not sure we have enough time, energy and reach to compete with the images and messages streamed constantly (around the world) on television, in movies and on the internet. Again, I'm not upset. I have no protest planned. I don't buy Pepsi (or Frito Lay or Quaker) products anyway and I've only stopped buying Tropicana recently when the carton sizes changed but the price didn't…but I digress.
I don't want others to be upset either, but I think we all need to learn to "watch what we're watching" and to be more vigilant about how we are portrayed in general. If you want to laugh, laugh, but let the sisters who are mad…be mad. It doesn't surprise me to see comments on Youtube and other websites tell Black women to "get over it" or that the images in the commercial were "largely true" and that if you're upset, it's because you're "probably like her." But here? On CN?
To be honest, I didn't see "angry black woman" in that commercial. I saw "stereotypical jealous woman," with no race attached. And it didn't even start out that way, it was just her trying to get her man to eat healthy, then she caught him ogling. It would've been the same thing if the woman he was ogling were black.
I've seen this set-up tons of times on TV and in movies. Who remembers "Shrek 2" where Shrek & Fiona are on their honeymoon, a mermaid washes up on shore, and Fiona grabs her by the fins & tosses her back into the sea (LOL!)? Same thing here, in my opinion.
I also heard that it was somewhat racist, the way the woman hit the white woman with a Pepsi can, which I also disagreed with. The MAN was the intended target, he ducked, the can hit the woman, they got scared, and ran off. lol I think some people should just lighten up.
Wow. Interesting comments to say the least. Rush Limbaugh sees the issues and problems, from his perspective of course, with the commercial but so many of us do not, wow! I think people think only in the scope of their world versus a broader view so they don't realize that, as Rene so excellently pointed out, they don't realize that people in Minot, North Dakota or Kansas, Iowa, and others where interactions with African Americans, let alone any minority group, are rare so they get their views about groups of people from what they see on TV. And all of the people pointing out that if you just be nice, patient, sweet, etc. then they won't see you that way. I'm patient and can be sweet to a point. But I'm not putting up with people's crap either and that doesn't mean I'll be neck rolling or wagging a finger to articulate my points when I have an issue. Why is it that WE are always the ones under a microscope. That's why I hate the CNN Black in America. I don't see them doing White in America, Asian in America, etc. Why must EVERYTHING we do be scrutinized. We are not monolithic and have the same issues/challenges/dreams/hopes as everyone else trying to have a decent life in this country. Images are very very powerful and we need to acknowledge that. This commercial drives home the point, as many of them do, that I've heard radio host Joe Madison make countless times. In this country we are taught to believe that White is superior and Black is inferior and the manifestation of that is that WE are undervalued, underestimated, and marginalized.
When I’m at work I have no cut cards. I can be nice and all of that but my job is to be competent and perform…that is what I am compensated to do. SOME people have a problem with that – not my issue because I get my job done and have been recognized for it. I can recall a time when I was discussing with a co-worker something that had happened on the news. The crime had happened in what is considered to be a bad part of town in the city. Now she and I have talked before so she knew I lived in the suburbs. She asked me, “oh do you live near where that took place”? I responded, no I do not; don’t believe everything you see on TV and the news; all Black people do not live in ghettos; I own my home just like you do. Just like I don’t believe that all whites from WV (where she was from) were raised in a trailer park. She was stunned but it pissed me off because we talked all the time about our dogs, home repairs, and many other things and she made assumptions about me based off of one dag on news report.
Images are powerful – believe that. I’m tired of being the brunt of the joke. The only way I know how to show my dislike is to not support it economically. If people want to really do something do that. Talking isn’t going to hurt Pepsi one bit but keeping your dollars away from them and expressing why, will definitely put them on notice.
btw, I didn't get the commerical. not funny or anything else to me. just kind of simple IMO. And so many of you mentioned Tyler Perry. I'll have to be more mindful of that the next time I view his movie/show. I oftentimes look at it to support him since he is making movies with us in them and they have good messages (forgiveness, acceptance, overcoming life challenges, etc.) but you make good points about some of his stuff being stereotypical too.
If it was "dumb blond" commercial would it have been funny? Yes but would have blonds been mad. Maybe. It was for millions to see but it not that serious. If you allow people to get to know you than they would be able to put the stereotype away. I've gotten the stereotype from co-workers. Don't make bre mad she'll get to rolling her eyes, sucking her teeth and rolling her head. Not me at all and after they got to know me they new that wasn't me.
I think the Pepsi commercial was embarassing, especially at the end. We're still jealous of white women, huh? The angry black woman will never be harmless fun. For some she's a reality, and hardly worth laughing at. For others, it's not who they are and they don't deserve that.
It is funny how we as black people promote this kind of outlook toward black women and it seems to just be us. Because, white people look at it and they don't really get it. I know because my husband is white and just doesn't get why black folks mess with each other about hair, skin tone,black women having a chip on their shoulder etc. He had a friend (black male friend) ask him why he was married to a black woman and my husband (being somewhat clueless) didn't really get the question. Only until my husband's friend said black women have a chip on their shoulder did my husband understand what the friend was getting at. The friend went on to explain that all the black women he has encountered are either too ghetto or have a bad attitude. My husband being the very logically man he is said "isn't your mom black? Why would you say that about women who are like your mom. That is like me saying I married a black woman cuz all the white women I know suck." He then said I love my wife not for her race but because of who she is chip or no chip. He then came home to frantically ask me what all the "black women with chips on their shoulders" fuss is about.I explain the best I could and he was shocked and more sad about it then I am. So, I ask who is really promoting this stuff the rest of America or us. I believe their is racism in this world don't get me wrong but I also think black folks have a lot of self hate to work through and it needs to start sooner rather then later.
First the commercial was hilarious! doesn't look like she was being the angry black woman to me. THis was a woman that had been trying to get her husband to eat right and as it shows, this was an on going problem with him. Then they get to the park and he looks at another lady…and that is what ANY normal woman would want to do.
At times I think folks are well within their right to be upset but they are looking entirely too deep into this one…I'm going to need folks to get over it.
@quisquella, I wish women like you would stop trying to hide your own prejudicial views about Black women behind thinly veiled, ethno-elitist garbage. If you want to spin on your thumb in an ethnicity war pitting Black women from different countries against one another, try a different site, but I've been to DR plenty of times and the fairer elite there espoused the same hatred against their domestic Black population as you are trying to do in the U.S.
They point blank told me that they despised the poor, loud, crass and irredeemably ignorant locals and praised the ingenuity and intelligence of American Blacks. I had the same experiences with Whites against Africans in South Africa and parts of Europe and you know what? I wasn't stupid enough to jump on that train and start the vertical, crab-bucket hustle to augment my self-esteem against stereotypes of others that do nothing except divide and conquer.
But hey, if it makes you feel as if you're one up on the totem pole, then go for it. Just remember my example, it works the opposite way as well. And btw, the reason this country is the beacon for equality and prosperity that it is, is due largely to the descendants of the people you have the freedom of speech to insult, just food for thought.
I wonder where the angry black woman stereotype came from? I think I'm a super nice person. Unless a spider is in the house, then I am not only scary to the spider when the magazine is approaching it's little icky body, but I'm angry as hell it's having a good time while not paying rent in this house. lol.
This topic reminds me of when Wanda Sikes was talking about political commentators saying that they were waiting to see the "real" Michelle Obama when her hubby first got elected. They wanted to see neck rolling and finger popping. I think they are just afraid of the unknown and are too cowardly to step up and get to know people before they make ASSumptions as to the true character of an individual. It is rather annoying.
If it gives them comfort and a since of superiority to display a very beautiful brown woman like that then so be it. But we know who we are and while they are busy doing silly things like that we are busy being entrepreneurs, artists, creators, providing goods and services for us by us.
On a side note, I thought the sistas in the commercial was way more attractive and it would have been more realistic if the white girl was more attractive but she was kind of blah. A bro has better taste than that. I'm just saying. lol.
i thought the pepsi commercial was pointless. it wasnt funny, it showcased domestic violence and added a racial element to it. it was simply a bad commercial.
as for the angry black woman stereotype, i put it in the same category as other stereotypes. stereotypes are there for a reason, a reason which is unjustified n unnecessary. yet ppl keep making them. the "black" factor doesnt bother me that much at this point. the question is whether this way of stereotyping black women is more systematic than whats done to other ethnic groups. if it is – then it's fair to say it's a problem.
I guess the majority of us find women being abusive to men hilarious. It wasn't funny until maybe the end when the man ran off with his wife after she assaulted the white woman with a soda can. Because we all know in real life, if a white woman is harmed the police will hunt you down and beat you especially if black folks are involved.
Anon again @ quis— going back to your original comment–"the majority of Black women give themselves a bad name" (i did not read that earlier)–
Just disregard all I said previously. You are clearly uneducated, and there is no way you can understand anything outside your lane.
@ quisquella–I was anon 7:58 pm.
Wonderful that you acknowledge there are stereotypes in every group. Yet somehow you are on a site with predominantly Black American women and want to state that because you went to high school with some loud Black girls, it's fine for you to imply we should not be offended by these stereotypes in pop culture. And that it's fine to apply behaviors that exist in every group to Black women in a broad stroke.
No one here has said these types of women do not exist, but you might also notice that everyone who has posted sound like intelligent women. Who might not take kindly to being lumped with the riffraff just because it's easy to put people in boxes. And as others here have mentioned, the angry Latina is portrayed as sassy/sexy, Asians as either smart or passive, and White women are allowed to have the gamut of emotions. With Black women it's the most ugly, negative range of depictions ALWAYS. Yeah I have ran across chicks like this, and? Not in my family nor friends, and I am supposed to accept this trash just because someone with your apparently limited range of cultural exposure says so? Not happening.
And it's great that you have never fought-I've seen my share of loud, ignorant Hispanic chickenheads on the subway, streets, etc. and if I was not exposed to more than one class of people, I would be stupid enough to think since I "ran across" someone like this it's reasonable to regard all of you in this manner. And that the Latina women I know (friends/colleagues) who don't fit that mold should just accept that because "the whole world can picture that stereotype". Luckily for me I am not ignorant. If you are smart enough (which I doubt), you'll see where I am going with THAT.
@ anonymous 7:58…ummm no i dont see where you're going with that at all the stereotypes u listed apply to any race or culture,(mexican gangs, black street fights, even loud rock music) every culture has stereotypes we all know that. what i mean is when somebody says "oh you don't act like a black girl"..the whole world can pictured that stereotype…seriously wether u want to admit it or not. like i stated before i dont think its funny or cute at all but its not false either…of course its not true to the entire race we can all agree on that…but i bet you all know a girl or 2 or 5 that fit that stereotype to a T. yes i agree its rude to judge an entire race but that doesnt make the stereotype entirely false. im dominican i've never been in a fight my entireee life..thats not lady-like, but i do enjoy my bachata nice and loud"D lol…quisquella
This this argument is simply a waste of time. If you want to see racial stereotypes watch a polical debate, then maybe i'll take this type of argument seriously.
I thought it was funny all the way up to the part when she hit the white girl. That was obvious and kinda low on Pepsi's part, but why are we shocked by this?
I recently was at a gathering when this man said that he could just picture me being angry and proceeded to drag out his "angry black woman" impression.
I find the stereotype frustrating for a number of reasons. The most important reason is that it is a way to de-legitimize black women's anger. It is the hysterical woman trope carried a bit further. It's a way of dismissing black women as petty and irrational and avoiding needing to think about the issues that black women are raising. (And, let's face it, no one group has a monopoly on petty and irrational.)
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AMEN Anon 7:59 P.M.! And yes, Jesus PLEASE be a clap of thunder of common sense-TODAY! Thanks for sharing that link. It shows how even White folks see the subliminal messages and racism in that Pepsi ad. Why on God's green Earth can't Black folks?????????? "That sho' was a mighty fine joke you made of me Mr. Pepsi Cola Executive sir!" *smiles and dances the jig* WTH?!?!
When I saw this commercial during the Super Bowl I definitely cringed. I think it perpetuated stereotypes that many people who aren't black and who haven't grown up in diverse environments truly believe. I've never been the "angry black woman" type. I don't like confrontation and if I do get upset, I don't yell or tell anyone off, yet I feel like I'm always bearing the brunt of this stereotype. You wouldn't believe how many black men I've known and been friends with that will tell me straight to my face that they don't date black women because black women have too much attitude. So I asked one of these guys, do you think I have a bad attitude? He answered, "no," but somehow it didn't matter. Funny, come to think of it, one of the girls he was dating and had the worst arguments with was latina (not a black latina), but that didn't stop him from dating latin women. This conversation happened in high school btw (a long time ago now for me). When people are teenagers they are already buying into these negative stereotypes.
I don't think commercials like this are helping our cause, especially when the other woman in the commercial is white. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem at all with interracial dating. I have dated and had serious relationships with men of all different races. I just don't like the dynamic in this commercial because I don't want to have to prove that I'm not the "angry black woman" and that I can be just as nice or nicer than women of other races. It's really unfair.
P.S. people claiming that what airs on BET and what airs during the Super Bowl are equally matched in terms of their ratings, overall viewership and financial earnings obviously have not worked in media or media sales. I know firsthand how much Super Bowl commercials cost and how many millions of people are watching it vs BET. Sorry, but BET is small potatoes. A stereotypical commercial airing during the Super Bowl is far more damaging than anything on BET.
Negro wake-up call indeed. The readership of this site has changed recently and NOT for the better.
Anon 7:58
I agree with what you said. There is a lot of mysogyny in our community. The saddest part about it is the acceptance of it. We are supposed to accept it, be quiet about and be protective of black men, carry the weight of our community in ways that NO OTHER group of women is asked to do for theirs AND accept "being kicked in the head" as well?
Not happening, at least not with me.
I have been saying this since that stupid State Farm commercial came out! What's really sad about it is that's really how other people see us; neck rolling, loud talking, and nagging. When I saw the pepsi commercial during the Super Bowl I immediately said something about it to my friends. It is a stereotype but it is not an unheard of to see black women acting like this, which makes it really hard to dispel the myth when it is so prevalent. .
Jesus be a CLAP OF THUNDER of COMMON SENSE. Since soooooooooooo many of ya'll couldn't catch a clue with sticky fingers… here you go. Have fun with your humor.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/rush-limbaugh-pepsi-ad-successful-because-black-women-hate-blondes/
This is my first post here and I'm posting without having read any of the other comments. I usually do read threads before piping in with my comments.
That commercial was awful! Not funny at all. I don't condone men abusing women or women abusing men. That woman was definitely abusive.
Any Black woman who could see an ad like this and LMAOROFLLOLOL about it needs their negro wake up call. Quick. Last year the dominant ad featured a handsome, muscular charming Black man in the Old Spice campaign. We get this.
There are many people who refuse to believe someone like Michelle Obama (and Desiree Rogers, countless other professional Black women, etc.)exists–but are more than happy to believe in images like this Pepsi ad. Chris Rock (who i cannot stand) did a lame joke about the Obamas winning the election, and Michelle and "her girls snatching off their earrings to get ready to fight" if anyone says something bad about her Barack. I was like, really Chris–this soft spoken, charming, highly educated dark skinned black woman automatically makes you think of a violent hoodrat? As much as this ad is annoying, it always amazes me how many Black men also like to portray us as ball busters. It's one of the reasons i stopped defending Black male images portrayed as thugs.
In the workplace, I have been in situations with loud, cursing angry White women–and when I address it with HR it's always 'suzy is high spirited, trish just has a strong personality, well you know carla is south american, they are fiery!'–when I have reacted to this calmly by walking away then I have been informed I was "dismissive, not a team player, etc." Suppose it would have been more in line if I yelled and carried on, "others" often don't know how to act when you DON'T behave like a stereotype–throws them off balance.
And @ quisquella–Should I base all of my opinions of Dominicans based on my time living in Washington Heights–where I often had to call the cops due to loud music at all hours, street fights, etc.? Or what about the rivalry between many Dominicans and Puerto Ricans; are what the Puerto Rican critics saying about Dominicans the truth, or is it just their own stupidity? See where i'm going with this?
I want to see the commercial that shows a man kicking his woman in the leg wearing steel toe boots. Then walk past her in the kitchen and smash her face into a pan of lasagna and then throw a can of beer at her when she looks at another man. Now THAT would be funny right?!
SMH….This was NOT funny….and as it was stated earlier, those that can't "SEE" through this is even sadder..please people…WAKE UP
I didn't think anything of it. I just thought it was funny. Every race has it's stereotypes & that will never go away.
And to people asking where's the fuss over RHOA, Tyler Perry, Basketball Wives, etc… if you haven't heard any of it, you're probably talking to the wrong people. There's been PLENTY.
You know when I would say that a some of the black women I knew were "lost", I caught flack from a few folks. After seeing the POSITIVE responses that this commercial got from black women on multiple blog sites, I'm changing that to MOST.
Ya'll need to QUIT PLAYIN'. If this commercial had involved a white couple COLD CLOCKING a black woman (and ya'll already know the odds of a slim fit beautiful black woman being pitted against a heavier white woman being shown on T.V.) the very same ones "liking" this commercial would be up in arms. What is wrong with ya'll? I actually hope I never know.
We MAY be the Rosa Parks of our day, but from the looks of the low (and dropping) rates of blacks (especially men) in college and gradute/professional schools, we seem to have peaked with this generation.
I hope I'm wrong, but things aren't looking good.
In addition, blacks in the last generation seemed to have more black-owned businesses, law firms and medical practices which were situated in black communities. Integration brought more opportunity, but it seems to have taken away or desire to start and maintain upper level professional businesses. With fewer black men pursuing education that would enable them to even practice in someone else's business, as opposed to starting their own, self-employment/self-reliance is becoming less prevalent in the black community.
I know several black women who have started practices and firms, but the heavy reliance on women for examples of self-reliance in the black community is troublesome when we have to combat the BS sterotypes being thrown around about us.
Personally, I found the commerical to be funny (Please note this is the first time I have seen it.). Definitely did not think about the fact that it portrayed an angry black woman until now, and I respect why people would be upset. I also agree with the post above about the fact that more people seem to be upset about how it portrays african-american women vs the fact that soda is not healthy for you. It seems to me, that big companies can continue to sell their products to us, because we are more focused on the commericals than the ingredients in their products.
Additionally, I think that as long as you are a strong black women, you are going to be perceived a certain way. I am not saying that it is right, but it is true. Personally, I believe you should be the best person you can be no matter what, because someone will find fault with you no matter what you are doing and that's life. Definitely feel like black women are fighting to get to the top and no body seemed to mind when they were climbing over us, but now that we are making our way, definitely expected some backlash and I expect some more.
In regards to the young black professionals, my mother reports that there are more black professionals now than when she was young, but we are still making our way to the top in the work place. I am the only african american women in my department at work and the only one in my graduate school program. We are the Rosa Parks and the MLKs of today and we need to start taking more action or not be surprised by the backlash. Just food for thought. LLP~OGC
I agree with whoever said that some people must be seriously brainwashed if they think that this is just harmless.
My question is, would this be a problem if it was a white woman acting the same way? Doubt it…so why bring it up since she black?
I thought it was funny. I didn't think anything negative about it.
Such great comments: A couple of notes:
Re: BET this is not to excuse the programming they have offer, not in the least. And I agree with everyone who said we need to start at home. But please know this (from someone who's two decades steeped in media) the audience for BET is demographically different and a fraction of the size of the Super Bowl. 111 million people watched the SB, BET on it's BEST programs (The Game, most recently) scored a high of around 7 million. The audience who watches BET (not making excuses but this is the reality) is more prone to know that stereotype is not true. The folks in Minot North Dakota might not know that. For those who have said, "she is not me" that's great. She is not me either. But if you go into a situation where you have to assert yourself,be it in a store, a date, corporate America, even in a nice way, there will be those folks who grew up in, say Minot ND seeing an inaccurate portrayal, and they will go right to that place. They will not know (nor care) that you are a loving, giving, patient woman who goes to church every Sunday and tithes. Ther is one other, very important distinction: RHOA, BET, even TBS are CABLE channels. They have smaller audiences and the consumer needs to sign up to get the programming. Now, this does not excuse RHOA or Tyler Perry movies. But unless you have Bravo, you won't be privy to RHOA (with it's 2.3 million viewers). Tyler Perry movies we have to pay to see. The SB is the largest singe program on the schedule, it is on BROADCAST TV, which is free to anyone with a receiver and with a very wide demographic. Those are the types of things we need to look at as well. Hope that makes sense.
(this is my last post about this matter :-b)
It's all well and good when you are around people that have generally associated with Black people. In those situations we all tend to poke fun at ourselves no matter the color or gender.
Here is the problem…
I have met many people throughout my career and some would be surprised about how many have actually had a real conversation with a Black person. Have you ever had that moment when you feel as if you are the ambassador for all Black women and find yourself stuck answering questions they have always wanted to ask? And don’t get me started on actually leaving the country.
So yes, I am kind of sensitive as to what image is being displayed to the world. Pepsi took unnecessary jabs at the Black woman because it is acceptable. You hear it in music, you see it on T.V. , heck you hear it in this very debate.
For the record, I am not angry I have an opinion. My husband is far from a disrespectful wimp. And not all White women are disrespectful twits that like nothing other than stealing attention from your man. A lot of them are very lovely and have men of their own.
I agree with a lot of opinions here. It’s the little things we have to push back on.
This commercial is totally absurd for the mere fact that it tries to portray Pepsi Max (A SODA) as a healthy (or healthier) option.
THAT is the real joke here.
I don't find the subliminal messages being portrayed in it very humorous or very understated. The messagges being sent are VERY clear -From the very coarse attitude of the black woman, the flakiness of the black man, to the carefree, lightheardedness of the "fit" blonde.
I work in a profession in which you could count the blacks who are in it across this country in the low hundreds (if that). Most of the black women in my profession are slender and fit,are not angry, have a pleasant caring attitude, and are highly intelligent, although there are very few naturals. The amount of surprise we deal with on a daily basis from people whose only connection with blacks is the media or a certain segment of the black underclass, is revolting , disgusting and very played out. So, although I am not at all surpised by this commercial and the reaction to it, I (and many of my black female colleagues) get sick and tired of having to answer questions from people (of ALL races-including othere blacks)who are obviously struggling with their stereotyped views of us and how we fit into them. We get it at professional events, in the office and at parties. It totally sucks.
Commercials like this do not help.
End of Rant.
When I first saw this commercial i giggled but having minored in African American studies, I know that subtle messages like these are what cause conscious and subconscious prejudice. BTW I love me some Omarosa. I hate the fact that strong ambitious women always get the B label.
I don't think she was an "angry" black woman. She was more of the "nagging/controlling" wife stereotype than anything else. I've seen the same stuff from Debra on "Everybody Loves Raymond". So I don't see what the big deal is. I'd like the "health-conscious black people" aspect of the commercial more if they weren't peddling Pepsi like it's good for you lol.
I take more issue with that dreadful weave she has. And maaaaaaaybe had the chick at the end not been a white blond, it would have gone over better lol. Throwing a white woman in there, during the Superbowl with the whole athlete/white woman thing was a bit much.
Its sad how we are being stereotypes.. but the Pepsi commercial is realy funny
I didn't think it was funny and I'm tired of seeing played out Black stereotypes. The commercial shows a strong willed, svelte Black woman using violent force to prevent her slightly smaller male partner (I see no wedding rings) from enjoying or possibly ordering "forbidden" foods such as desserts and burgers. I can understand the subtext of the commercial – maintain your health and the health of your loved ones by any means possible and do it with PepsiMax soda.
I really don't appreciate the unfair correlation of violence and Black women: in regards to relationships with food and romance/love with Black men and against the falsely perceived enemy that threatens to undermine both – skinny White women.
Pepsi's ad Plays the same old and tired stereotypes of the weak Black dude who conspires to cheat (and hide) when presented with a tempting package (food or otherwise) and the Black woman who will dominate and control her man no matter what contradictory and selfish actions he makes to undermine her efforts.
It's not funny.
People have absorbed these stereotypes so much so that it affects the way we are perceived in the street, in business, in education and at work. I'm sure we all have stories to this effect. It's always very nice (lol; just kidding it's an eye roll) when people remark how different I really am than I was perceived to be.
Like many other soda companies, Pepsi has spent gazillions of dollars marketing for years to infiltrate inner-cities schools and communities to make sure youth of color only have direct and affordable access to junk food, fast food and colas.
Black women and men are suffering from various health crises and disease and its directly affected by the food we eat and have available to us. Pepsi et al conspires to shape the environments where we get our food from. Take a walk down the aisles of any supermarket and play "spot the Pepsi-owned food products".
The knock in the head of the White girl runner with an empty can of Pepsi by the woman who after all this self-control displays an amazing lack of impulse control when it comes to her male companion and then they run away leaving their accidental victim helpless and alone…is just the tip of this wickety wack iceberg. I'm not even going to touch on the violence…whole other dissertation.
So to see Pepsi herald the highly-watched Super Bowl with a tongue-in-cheek giggle at Black life, relationships, health and implied social deviancy with this stupid ad during BLACK HISTORY MONTH, I find their choice to do so reprehensible. These issues are not amusing and until Black are presented more positively or well-balanced in the media, I don't appreciate seeing commercials like this and I don't support companies that prey on communities of color and commercials like this.
I didn't think it was at all offensive. I don't watch shows or commercials and compare the person with a whole nationality or gender. Just because there aren't any other commercials that the women acted in the way this women, who just so happens to be black doesn't mean anything. There was nothing 'harmful' about the commercial if the women in the couple in the commercial were latin, white, asian, or purple alien would the offended people still be offended? No people would think it was what it was, just a commercial whether you thought it was funny or not.
NO many people do NOT think that all black women are angry. They think that
an angry person is an angry person Period.
Interestingly some find this funny and were not offended by the commercial, but took issue with a Halloween afro wig being titled "Ghetto afro wig"
People contacted Kohl's and raised so much dust the store took the wig off their site and stopped selling it. Imagine what would happen if those same people contacted marketing for Pepsi and State Farm with the same passion.
Ladies even though you feel the commercial isn't about you…the media says otherwise. It's not funny.
Amen to Anon that posted before me! PREACH! That is the GREAT MASQUERADE! Get these people to laugh AT THEMSELVES and to think that "it's just humor" all the while they continue to be subordinated. Make them hate their natural hair, their natural lips, their natural ASS! Get them to buy and laugh at modern day minstrel shows like "The Chappelle Show" and "Boondocks". Segregate them into the entertainment and athletic fields and make that the only way that they can make money equal to us. Have them symbolically place shackles on their own feet and hands. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't find it funny because it does perpetuate a stereotype. Name 2 commercials in which women of another race have acted like that………………. EXACTLY! Unfortunately, most people still tend to hang with people that look and act like them (race, social class, sexual orientation) and the only exposure they get of other people is the media. Hence, many people believing that all Black women are angry. I also didn't understand why the other woman was White and displayed as calm and kind-a stark contrast to the Black women. Humor is all great in good, but that kind of humor is harmful to Black people.
I think everyone who responded, "That's not who I am," or "Other races do stereotypical things too" is missing one MAJOR point: BLACK PEOPLE are a historically oppressed and mis-treated people. And for that reason, stereotypes such as the angry Black woman only serve to push us farther down.
Scenario: you are MORE than qualified for a position, even more so than your White, Asian, and Latina counterparts. But management hires the less qualified woman because they're thinking, "Oh, no. We don't want her coming in here giving us any of that "attitude;" that neck-rolling and finger-snapping stuff." It's real, it happens every day, and we have images from the Pepsi commercial to thank for it.
I might also add that the media has done a superb job and deserves a Standing-O, when the very people these subliminal messages serve to oppress, actually find them funny. SMH
I'm too old to be bothered over what the world thinks of us and how a commercial can affect that. When it boils down to it, it's just EASIER for the media to hold on to and promote the stereotypes. It is what the majoiryt of people watching feel comfortable with and want to see. It is sick, but that is just the way it is.
I'm too tired to be upset when people meet me and act like I'm from another planet, because I don't fit the steroptype of what they had in their heads. On the one hand it gives me a sense of satisfaction to see ignorance being rubbed in the face. On the otherhand, it is tiring. I can't really get upset because there are so many of us who live up to the stereotype. (Shrugs shoulders).
I just like being me and am enjoying the process of getting to know myself in this life.
I wasn't too offended by this commercial, but I did feel slightly offended by the State Farm commercial, not only because it showed a black woman and nagging and belittling her husband, but also because it reinforced the stereotype that we, as black people, "don't know how to act in public," are loud, and are always arguing. I'm not the racial stereotype police or anything but if people think that the media honestly doesn't shape perception, I think that is naive, and I do think it is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Seriously… Folks are up in arms about this one silly commercial (that I thought was funny by the way) but where's the fuss about the shenanigans going on over on the Real Housewives of Atlanta or the foolery happening on BET? So it's okay if we're portrayed as loud, ghetto, or somebody's video hoochie, but heaven forbid we be portrayed as "angry". C'mon. Women (not just African American) are allowing themselves to be degraded in so many other ways it seems almost silly to nitpick over something as insignifcant as a commercial. If folk wanna deal with the issue, it needs to start at home.
agree with anon 4:23 above ^^^^
I also notice that the black angry woman is usually a little over weight and often less than attractive. If you notice in this commercial, the white lady was working out (something 'we' don't do), was toned, thin, blonde, and typed case as the attractive woman, the one who drew his eye. SMH. If y'all don't see that, It's sad.
Can SOMEBODY please tell me why if a Latino women is angry it's sexy if a white woman is angry it's powerful if an asian woman kills 50 men she's kick-ass and cool? Black women are the only females in this country that can't say anything, wear anything or express anything without every single detail of it being analyzed,critiqued, labeled, stereotyped or blown off. My goodness. Where did that title even come from? I'm so sick of it. I'm a black female and I'm hardly EVER angry. Any woman who has kids to take care of, a job to do, a house to clean and bills to pay will guess what….get stressed out no matter what her race is geez. The label is stupid and not truly representative of the black woman.
I didn't even see the wife on this commercial as angry. I thought she was funny although a tad bit mean to her hubby. Not angry grrr…puhlease. Now, why the picture of positive health had to be portrayed by a younger white girl is exactly why I don't drink Pepsi to this day. They could have had the wife dress cute for her hubby and entice him to exercise with her in a fun, postive, marriage promoting way. I did agree with her for slamming the "healthy, and fit young trifling white girl " at the end. And I'm glad he held her hand as they ran away 🙂 Omarosa and Nene are ACTING FOR THE CAMERA'S! They are DRAMA QUEENS and I don't think it would make a bit of difference if they were of a different race, it's just who they are.
Y'all are brainwashed if you think it's just comedy.
Commericials do not perpetuate stereotypes, people do! Stereotypes/ prejudices are taught then perpetuated by real-life experiences. Children (or like-minded adults) are easily influenced by commercials. Intelligent, mature, educated, well rounded, and open minded people know that you can't believe or apply what you see on TV to entire race, gender, or class.
No matter how many positive images of black people shown on TV, such as our 1st lady, some people will never believe we are a civilized and intelligent race of people. They're stupid and shouldn't be acknowledged or catered to, in my opinion!
The commerical is funny but then again, I like that kind of humor…people falling, being hit in the head with random objects! LOL
@Anon at 3:48pm Feb 14,2011
I definitely agree with you on that, because I have personally seend some of my white girlfriends with black boyfriends take crap. I mean stuff that I wouldn't put up with and it's so sad. Alot of things black women have to worry about enough as it is. I do find it funny that so many black men will marry or date a white women in a heartbeat. But let a black woman marry or date a white/asian/latino/german.. etx male and it's all h..ll has broke loose. But I can't say it's only white or asian women, though because I've seen some black women that have been put in situations and it's just sad no matter what the race is how a man will do a woman.
I get why people view black women as "Angry" 9 times out of 10 our race isn't as passive or submissive as some of the other races. (cough cough) white and asian women, LOL my apologies if that offends anyone just trying to keep it real. Plus with discrimination we have to fight twice as hard to get what we want. Take a GOOD look around ladies, realistically don't we have a lot to be angry about? Don't get me wrong I am not excusing people like Nene or Omarosa. If I could delete BET from everyones tv I would but I cant. The best thing I can do is go out into the world with a smile on my face and love in my heart and prove that I am not angry and I am not ghetto. Even if it's just one person at a time.
I saw this while browsing on BHM Relationship forum yesterday and this had me rolling with laughter at the stunts that the women did to there S/O,hubby,or boyfriends.. lol…..
Here's the link:
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=296661&title=name-the-most
Interesting debate.
I'm sorry but that video was hilarious especially towards the ending part when she threw the can at the white girl..lol..lol… Now have you ladies never been tempted to do something to your hubby or boyfriend when seeing him outright flirt with or being flirted at by another female.
I actually wasn't bothered by the woman's behavior in this commercial at all. I was more bothered by the white woman at the end. Why does it always have to be a young attractive blonde "friendly" white woman who catches a black man's attention and of course the black woman reacts violently? The positive portrayal of the white woman juxtaposed with that of the the sassy sister annoys me and is more troubling than the other 95% of the commercial.
It was funny when the black couple both ran off together though. At least sassy sister said sorry…
People need to get a sense of humor. Jerry Springer and trash tv have done enough to besmirch the reputation of the black woman, not to mention some individual black women themselves by the way they conduct themselves in public. This commercial isn't doing much.
I meant to type "….made some in life whether…"
I also meant to type "stereotypes"
I also meant to type "dispel"
It's a monday 🙂
I thought it was HEE-larious. It wasn't that deep to me. It could have been a woman of any race and I still would have found it hilarious.
Shelli
I guess I am in the minority. I thought it was funny.
re: the ABW stereotype. I think that like any other stereotype (and we all have probably make some in life whethe or not we will admit it), people make generalizations about one group of people all the time. The key is to prove them wrong on an individual basis as you take the time to get to know each other. While sterotypes of any group may take place en masse, I think that to dispell them is something that will only happen as people get to know each other one on one; not necessarily something that actors or reality tv characters can do.
Isn't it a shame that we, as black folk, always seem to feel responsible for ALL black folks? If we're walking and see a black person acting "crazy", some of us feel as if that one person is representing all of us. I didn't like the commercial because it made the woman look "angry and controlling" and the man look "weak and trifling". That they were black didn't help. Did it make me feel some kind of way about "ME"? Heck naw…
I thought it was a funny joke in bad taste – there are only some many tv spots (take the state farm one!!) with our faces in them anyways why not have it be something else. Everyone in the room laughed at it but all the sister in the room looked at each because sadly we all knew exactly what the other people in the room where thinking.
I was turned off by the commercial. I think that we are naive to believe that television doesn't play a major role in perpetuating ALL stereotypes (the nerdy asian guy; the hood, thugged out brotha; the air head white blonde; the angry black woman) and that television will continue to feed these stereotypes into society. However, I also believe that one of the major reasons why this particular commercial was so off color and offensive is because of how this is a controversial matter within our own race. Everyone knows that stereotypes derive from some place of fact (whether it be from one person or a body of people) and that, generally, that fact is exaggerated to amplify the stereotype (please keep in mind that I absolutely AM NOT under any circumstances suggesting that ALL black women are mad. I am stating that a body of black women who may have exemplified the "angry" image is the source of this widely exaggerated and hurtful stereotype). That being said, each race has its own quirks and peculiarities. It seems, however, that the black race is the only race in which we abandon and condemn our people for our areas of work. I have been in circles of black men who have completely denounced black women because they are "angry, bitter, shrewd, etc." and have found myself defending MYSELF against these lies as if I represent all black women. On the same, I have read and been in circles of black women who completely dog out black men and blame black men for all their problems (not willing to take some responsibility) and then wonder why black men are no longer interested. What other race, and please correct me if I'm wrong, do you see completely swearing off their counterparts b/c they are "ditsy" or "nerdy" or "not properly endowed" (and yes, these are real stereotypes across other races). You DON'T see it. I've never been in a setting with a group of white men who say, "I don't talk to white women anymore because they are just too easy they are just to daggum opinionated." We (as in the black race) have allowed these stereotypes to infiltrate our door steps and have began to treat one another as society sees us ("black men ain't no good", "black women are angry" and neither one wants anything to do with the other). This is disturbing and that is why this commercial is hurtful.
On the other hand…it forces us (at least it did me and my significant other) to take a look at our own beliefs about our people and seriously decide whether or not we would allow this perpetrated lie infiltrate our own thoughts, ideals and reactions to our people. How many of us have dogged out our brothas? How many brothas have sworn off all black women for all eternity? How many of us ACT like the stereotype?
Before we can completely get upset we have to take responsibility as a people and demand better from our own people. And I feel we've found holding each other accountable difficult to do in the past (look at Cosby…and the brotha was right!). Unless we are willing to be held accountable and not think the foolish stereotypes are "cute" (watching hot mess reality shows like Real Housewives, Basketball Wives, Flavor of Love, etc.) we can't expect others to respect us or to look at us any differently. They are only portraying what we've allowed them to see.
Sorry so long… :o)
The commercial was funny to me until the very end when the white woman comes jogging and sits down next to the husband. I was like uh hold up why does she have to be white???.. the whole commerical made the wife look mean and angry and then the white girl comes smiling and looking all friendly and ish..the husband sitting there looking all googly eyed.. ugh. The commerical was all good til that point.LOL…
@ ano 2:12, i don't think my comment was ignorant i wasnt trying to offend and i hope no one else was offended by what i said. im just saying when the majority of african american women that I KNOW act that way and then you see the movies and house wives of atlanta…what else are you suppose to think? im by no means saying all are like that because that would be ignorant.like for example ppl see me and think im african american and as soon as they hear me speak spanish they're like omg i thought u were a black girl i was scared and start laughing!!! i get that all the time! i think its a shame that a lot of ppl applaud it…quisquella
I saw this commercial and thought it to be hilarious…I cracked up! I didn't even get that 'Angry Black Woman' stereo-type from this commercial at all. As far as the stereo-type of that 'Angry Black Women,' I am not an 'Angry Black Woman,' I don't associate with 'Angry Black Women,' therefore, that aspect of being an 'Angry Black Woman' is not a part of my life…period!
I for one do not like Tyler Perry. I was offended by the commercial too.
I wasn't offended. I thought it was funny. Would the same connotation come up if it was a women of another race who was the main character? I think by getting offended we are adding something more than it was meant to say.
This is what happen when black people speak for other black people like: "all black people eat chicken", and "black people are always late"…the media cannot influence anything unless stupid people spread the rumor as truth.
There are angry white women on tv several times a day. They smack and abuse their men on tv several times a day…yet, they don't have a name for these behaviors. Black people have "single black woman", "angry black women", black on black crime"…so it brings more attention to these non-issues. Then black people get angry and want to have these panel discussions on tv. There are white people on tv behaving badly 100 times more than black people. A news program can show a million white people behaving badly, but as soon as the black person is shown there is some type of conspiracy. If we stop making a big deal out of this stuff and start looking at issues as a human thing and not a black thing…We are all beautifully human.
Also, Tyler Perry perpetuates sterotypes more than anyother media outlet, yet, we love and support that foolishness…
Indigo
the only problem that I had with the commercial was that homegirl's weave was NOT cute. I kinda jumped back for a bit when they did the close up lol…but seriously the whole angry black stereotype *shrugs* It was a little excessive but Pepsi in general makes some pretty 'violent' commercials. It's weird but its funny at the same time lol…
People need to stop acting like every race, sex and culture does not get angry. Have you seen an angry Latina woman? An angry white man? Hell hath no fury when it comes to the angry white Jewish girl!!! We all have the same emotion and we all express it differently. It differs by person, not by race.
ps i thought this commercial was hilarious. LMAO
I really do not understand the controversy with this commercial. For one, I am a firm believer that stereotypes are based in reality. If black women are thought of as "angry" then it's because we've seen a lot of angry black women. If young, black men are thought of as "thuggish", it's because we've seen a lot of thuggish young, black men. I'm sure Bravo didn't have to go looking too hard to find the RHOA. I am a black woman and I know plenty of black women that will go off on you at the drop of a hat! Is the stereotype unfair? Of course! What stereotype is not unfair. They all assume that just because a certain amount of members of a particular group behave a certain way, then all members of that group must behave the same way. However unfair, they are still based in reality. We are getting "angry" about a commercial that "unfairly" depicts a black woman as angry. Coincidence?
My only problem with this commercial was the husband gawking at a non-black woman. One thing we would never see is a non-black man eyeballing a black woman like that. However, if any of us was out with our man, and he looked at another woman the way that man looked at that white woman (whether she be white, black, brown or purple), we would trip. And that's not being black. That's being a woman!
MzTori728
I thought the commercial was pretty funny. Stereotypical, but funny. I despise that angry black woman stereotype but I choose to ignore it. That confrontation between Omarosa and Wendy was just off. Some women in general just give off bitchy vibes. Its not just a black thing
It cracks me up anytime I read this angry black woman bs. Everytime I turn on the TV u know what I'm more likely to see? A whole bunch of old angry white men! yup. they get paid to be angry actually. when I watch shows on the epitome of angry ppl like ppl going postal in america, I aint never seen a single episode with a BLACK WOMAN going postal on anybody. mostly white dudes, a few white chicks, a black man sprinkled in here or there, even an asian but I aint NEVER seen a black woman. lol so the next time somebody talks about angry black woman syndrome, please point them to sean hannity, keith olderman, folks on espn, cnbc etc etc and tell them get off my back. LMAO
I think that I would have been annoyed if it was a woman of any race in this commercial. I'm tired of this scenario. A woman forces her husband to do [insert something here] through violence and extreme controlling behavior. Only Claire Huxtable helped her husband with his diet with grace and class, and she even had the tables turned on her for an episode. But let's be honest, if this situation was reversed and a man was controlling what his wife eats, women everywhere would have been up arms, saying, "How dare he control her like that! She'll eat healthy when she wants to!"
But to stay on topic: the angry black woman stereotype, I find this completely unfair. It automatically labels us as hostile, so when we are rightfully upset, our concerns can be waved away as, "Oh, they're just always angry, we can't ever make them happy." I hope that there's more of a spectrum when it comes to black female characters someday. We need more black females who are characters first and not a paint by numbers stereotype.
Wowzers! The media perpetuates the black woman sterotype because it amuses the masses i.e. White America. For the hispanic chick, quisquella who said that black women feed into these sterotypes by "acting up", these are a small percentage of black women, not majority. Your comment was ignorant. And the example you provided was of high school kids so yes, some are not going to speak intelligently and articulate their words. Their high school kids.
I'm just a tad bit tired of black women giving the lame excuse of "Well that's not me." When you are sterotyped my dears, they have already judged you. They don't know (or care) that you nice and kind. They just know what they see us being portrayed as throughout media. It's easier to prejudge someone than to get to know them.
I loved it!!! My husband and I were both cracking up laughing. So what she's black, a white woman would have done the same thing. People at my work place don't think that I'm an angry woman just because I'm black. If you're patient and kind to everyone that you interact with, that will be what people see.
This is commercial is NOT harmless fun. I agree with Lillith and Naturally Nita. All this does is perpetuate the stereotype.
Naturally Nita said this: "It causes people to have generalized opinions about us rather than judging us through their own true interactions with us. The best way to counter this is on two fronts: 1. don't be this person…I agree with GJ to say you can be angry and black without being the Angry Black Woman 2. Don't support those venues (music, pop tv, etc) that continuously show us negatively. Sometimes in this way we can be our own worst enemy. We complain about the way we're depicted but we are the ones supporting them."
Absolutely this! I'm appalled at how many black people think this commercial is harmless fun. All of those nonsense stereotypes seen on tv absolutely shape the way people of other races and cultures view us. I can't tell you how many times white people have been surprised at how eloquent, mild mannered and intelligent the members of my immediate family are. Surprised, as if we're a bunch of anomalies!
I've even been told to my face by a prospective date that I don't act "like other black women" as if it were a compliment. It's insulting and sad is what it is. And things aren't going to change until we start holding those who perpetuate these stereotypes accountable.
I believe unless we're represented more in the entertainment world as PEOPLE: angry, nice, sweet, mean, funny, virtuous, demented, etc, people are going to put us in these narrow categories.
For example: Why are we so limited in what type of movies we make? Do we need another stupid comedy taking place in Compton or TP film which are both full of stereotypes? Whites have their dumb movies, but they also have their serious drams, art films, indie, etc.
My knee jerk reaction to this commercial and to shows like RHOA where we see this caracature of the angry, off the chain, extreme black woman is to laugh, sorta shake my head and move on. However, as an African-American woman, who works in Corporate America and have had comments made like "I'm scared of you." by another grown woman simply because I was holding her accountable for her work, see a different effect with these types of displays in popular media. It causes people to have generalized opinions about us rather than judging us through their own true interactions with us. The best way to counter this is on two fronts: 1. don't be this person…I agree with GJ to say you can be angry and black without being the Angry Black Woman 2. Don't support those venues (music, pop tv, etc) that continuously show us negatively. Sometimes in this way we can be our own worst enemy. We complain about the way we're depicted but we are the ones supporting them.
www.naturallynita.blogspot.com
I think that commercial would be the same whatever ethnicity the woman was. I actually felt it was pretty universal. The stereotype, IMO, is more along the lines of escalating out of control over a slight or nonexistent provocation (an out of proportion response), not simply being angry in a completely understandable scenario. Just because I'm angry and I'm black does not mean I'm an Angry Black Woman stereotype.
I thought the commercial was hilarious and was ready to roll with it up until the ending. After that I had to take pause. IMO it reinforces 2 stereotypes: 1. Black women are too controlling, domineering, attitudish, etc…. 2. Black men prefer white women because black women are too controlling, domineering, attitudish, etc… The fact that the jogger was a white woman (or could have been any other non-black woman) spoke volumes. And I don't think that black women are "being overly sensitive" or "looking for something to complain about." In fact, we don't speak up ENOUGH. That is why commericals like this one, the SNL skit with Nikki Minaj, rap music lyrics, and any number of vehicles that open degrade black women continue to flourish. It's "acceptable" and the perpetrators, who often times are black women themselves (Debra Lee, anyone?), know that no one will hold them accountable.
"The danger here is not just this commercial, but a rampant way of thinking that persists in the people who make spots like this or cast Jerry Springer show because of the (mostly untrue) stereotype(as most are) it feeds."
ITA with Rene's statement here. People who promote these stereotypes are looking to get paid, period. So what if it's on the backs of black women.
When the controversy over this commercial came about I was like…huh, did I miss something? I didn't find the commercial offensive at all. I laughed when I say it. Honestly I do not believe they made the black lady angry. It appeared to me that she was concerned about her man's health. Sure, some of her actions were extreme, but definitely not angry.
Nope, can't get mad at that. By getting mad you are only perpetuating the stereotype. Even though the media can be persuasive, I was able to learn not to "judge a book by its cover." Race was never made to be a big deal for me growing up (this from parents who survived and endured the civil rights era). The mantra was "work as hard as you can at whatever you do" and "love your neighbor as yourself", so that's what I am trying to do. I don't define myself by the color of my skin or even my "ethnic group", just because I believe that I have a responsibility as a single human being to give back what I've been given, to the world. In the end it doesn't really matter what's on your skin– what's in your soul??? That is who you are.
I wasn't offended because I know that is a stereotype not to be taken seriously because I don't act that way. I was a little disappointed that Pepsi went ahead and perpetuated this stereotype to millions of people, many of which only have television as a reference for the personalities and attitudes of black people. In an ideal world we could take the commercial as just something on tv not to be taken too seriously BUT there is A LOT of misinformation and stereotyping of black people (black women especially) and the people of other races, cultures, and backgrounds REALLY BELIEVE we are that way. I said all that to say this commercial would have been perfectly fine if most people new it was a joke and that we (most of us)don't really behave that way.
Unfortunately when one black woman does something perceived as negative, America thinks that we all act that way. I don't really get it…I mean with all the Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohans of the world, white women don't get typecasted as such.
Thanks for your insight ladies.
@Ashely, it was actually a play on words (does the ABW stereotype make you mad). The thing is I know the Angry Asian Woman, The Angry Hispanic Woman, The Angry White woman. We've seen them all in real life. The danger here is not just this commercial, but a rampant way of thinking that persists in the people who make spots like this or cast Jerry Springer show because of the (mostly untrue) stereotype(as most are) it feeds. I watched a Fidelity commercial the other day and this beautiful black woman tells the white man "Stay on the green line." When I see spots like that, or Dennis Haysbert using his voice and authority to sell insurance, I know it is possible to portray us in other ways.
BTW, I know a number of Asian people who don't like the spot with the Asian guy riding the moped through the office, wearing big, round glasses either. It's not just us that Mad Ave paints with a broad brush but i do think it's lazy and uninspired.
I think it doesn't help that we have people like Nene on every popular show acting like a wild psychotic insecure loon. And she gets praise for this so do people like Omorosa and Survivor had a black woman so ghetto it was too embarrasing to watch I don't even know her name but I saw plenty of discussion boards saying how she was a vile human being and of course that makes ALL black women look bad unfortunately. People forget the good black women like Oprah and others who represent themselves the best way possible at all times. This is what TV wants and what gets ratings these horrible loud women not smart black women with great accomplishments which is actually the majority of black, black women are very nice, smart,and confident women but TV wants the stereotype!
I myself didn't find the commercial funny at all even if the woman was another race. I do however feel as though people watching the commercial will feel as though our entire race of people act the way commercials and different tv shows portray us and that is sad.
i dont think the commercial was stereotypical at all the only part in which she was angry was when he was staring at that girl and i think that would've made any female angry lol…i think the majority of african american women give themselves a bad name, seriously..i don't mean color because i'm from the dominican republic and im black..but seriously in high school it was like a competition of who could be the loudest, the most disrespectful,the most illiterate. like there was seriously a group of girls that would walk around saying "yes i is! no i isnt!"…thats just horrible and they think its cute…it should be embarrassing i think. so the majority of these stereotypes are easily backed up and thats a shame..not trying to offend anybody either… quisquella
Uh.. this commercial was HILARIOUS! Black woman need to stop taking offense to every little thing. This is not an attack on the stereotype of us being angry all the time. Isn't it ironic how we get angry about an angry black woman? Relax, take a chill pill and laugh every once in a while. This was not degrading at all. It is for the sake of humor and we should be proud that a black woman and a black man even got a spot in the super bowl commercials!
i thought the commercial was funny.
and as AishaSaidit said, the stereotype is as irritating as the the "you're natural so you must be a poet/militant" stereotype. it doesn't apply to me, but it's mildly annoying when people want to see me get angry or meet my sassy black friends because they must be hilarious…
Wow, so much can be said about "Angry Black Woman stereotype". I think its TIME for Black women to STAND up and set the record straight!! Why is it that people try to stereotype ONLY BLACK WOMEN as Angry, Aggressive, Bad Attitude, ALL WOMEN get this way!! I am tired of the Black Men who put us in the very same brackett. Black Women need to fight and NO LONGER Accept this! If your a Strong,independant Black Women we are label as controling, aggressive,arrogant, etc. Why most a BLACK WOMEN ALWAYS BE PUT INTO THE NEGATIVE BOX, AND NOT THE POSITIVE!!
The slap humor is funny, the angry black woman is irritating at the very least. I have been in conversations with my Peruvian coworker, who out of the blue told me she "wanted to see me angry". And another white coworker who has called me sassy. I still don't really understand what she meant by that. This is why I hate commercials like these because all of a sudden I'm the entertainment for the day. And I have to constantly get through all of the "wind the Black woman up and watch her go" stereotypes in order to get my relevant and serious points across. Really sometimes I want to climb to the top of a mountain and scream, “I am not her, I am me”. But until then I will watch how I represent myself so that maybe when someone sees my daughter they will understand that she is not smiling because she is angry, it’s just their joke was not funny.
I thought the commercial was hillarious. I don't see the ad as reflection of me. It's about a woman's extreme attempts at getting her significant other to eat healthy. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, however I believe people need to lighten up. Everything is not a conspiracy against us.
I have seen rants about this commercial for the past two weeks since it aired. *I* wasn't offended by it at all. I actually thought it was funny.
Sometimes, and I do stress sometimes, I feel that we (the collective) tend to look for any and everything to make a fuss over. I'm tired of it. Everytime you turn around, someone is offended by something, no matter how miniscule that thing is.