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What it comes down to, is yes that ad is funny, if inappropriate.
If in some way it works or there is a quantifiable positive reception and consequent positive result because of it, don't shoot the message or messenger!
posted by
CringeintheUSA
on August 12, 2007 at 7:57 AM
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hypocritical in the extreme. what bothers me is how pc these same people
get when it suits them.
posted by
proc
on August 11, 2007 at 9:10 PM
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Corbin
There's no much I can add to what Talion and Saul have already stated. Let me just suggest that satire 'works' only for a relatively sophisticated audience, one that has learned to recognize nuances and the distortions that satire depends on for its effectiveness. In other words, the successful satirist depends on an audience that is
already receptive! That certainly isn't the case here! The idiots who produced this haven't got a f****** clue!
posted by
Nautikos
on August 11, 2007 at 7:17 AM
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Corbin Dallas
I found this absolutely deplorable. What now be sure you get an education so you will be a smart, vulgar, thug?
posted by
Justi
on August 11, 2007 at 5:51 AM
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Corbin - I cannot watch stuff like that.
posted by
FoliageGold
on August 11, 2007 at 3:43 AM
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dc
I have to be honest I was glad when it was over but maybe it will get to the type of kid that it could be enlightened, maybe get them off the street and read its the type of thing that attracks a certain kids.
posted by
Lanetay
on August 10, 2007 at 9:09 PM
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cd
Sorry I can't even watch that garbage..
posted by
Offy
on August 10, 2007 at 1:52 PM
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Corbin_Dallas
While I don't discount your reaction to this clip, I must admit I found it humorous. While the positive message and/or social relevance of the video is debatable, it's definitely successful as satire. And for satire to work, in order to "get it," one has to have some familiarity with the subject matter. this clip invokes not only the graphic language (found in unedited album versions) of gangsta rap, but also the crass imagery and the less than ideal lifestyle it too often glorifies, while simutaneouly attacking them. Regardless of the way the messages are conveyed, there's no denying read (i.e. get an education), drink water (i.e. something besides mind-numbing malt liquor), buy property (i.e. the foundation of successfully building wealth), and being a real parent (i.e. not just creating babies, but also remaining present and providing the stability a child needs for proper development) are things a segment of society needs to hear. The offensiveness of this clip is indicative of the offensiveness of the gangsta rap subculture as a whole, it's preference of outward style over inner substance, hyper machismo, sexual irresponsibility, needless violence, and mysogyny.
However, what truly disturbs me is the conflicting messages BET is sending. The bulk of their programming centers on music videos and shows promoting various popular acts. In essence, the network not only actively distributes, but also profits from the negative aspects of gathe hip hop culture. Now all of a sudden they want to claim moral high ground and that they're providing some sort of greatly needed social commentary. The hypocrisy is beyond belief.
posted by
Talion
on August 10, 2007 at 1:33 PM
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saul....
That's one of the best, right on topic comments, I have read in a long time........
How this is supposed to be positive is beyond me. Insulting is a good term.
thanks for stopping by.......
posted by
Corbin_Dallas
on August 10, 2007 at 12:27 PM
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The positive message in the song is overshadowed by the use of
extreme profanity (not simple profanity or acceptable cursing to make a point, but, then, maybe they are trying to make that point -- being offensive is a result of not reading, not being landed, having little self-respect) and the ridiculous images of the animation. Promoting the reading of a book by having it written on the jiggling ass of a dancer might, if you're lucky, get the four letters read but little else. Even if the creators of this song and video are attempting at counter-intuitive thinking to get their message across, don't they think that they're preaching to the choir and not to the one's who actually need to set goals, read books, and get some self-respect? This fails on so many levels it relegates itself to the ludicrousness of caricature and stereotype.
posted by
saul_relative
on August 10, 2007 at 11:19 AM
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