MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE
by Michael Wolraich
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Coca-Cola's Multicultural Super Bowl Ad Really Angered Conservatives
By jollyroger on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 9:23am |OK, I am seriously outta touch.. I thought the ad in question was really cool--How can you object to people singing nice things about your country, notwithstanding how we have systematically fucked over the world (And yes, count me in the "blame America first caucus".
I don't drink soda, but I might buy a few cases of Coke and pour it out, just to make a point...
URL:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/coca-cola-super-bowl-ad-america-the-beautiful-conservatives-boycott
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Comments
by jollyroger on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 9:30am
There is a straight line between these modern-day haters and that which justified slavery, the nativistic Know-Nothings led by Millard Fillmore, a hijacked reconstruction, the institution of Jim Crow, immigration restrictions based on national origin and race, a segregated military until 1948, and the list goes on. It's part of that dark scaly underbelly that we have never been able to shed. And now it's Arab Americans and our brothers and sisters from the muslim world. The more things change JR, the more things stay the same. I might join you in buying some Coca Cola myself.
by Bruce Levine on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 10:15am
The pathology of right wing psychology is so fuckin' banal--guilt for vicimization morphs into fear of the victim's righteous wrath generating hate to distance oneself from the sense of owns own weakness and vulnerability to retribution You' think they could come up with a more stylish way of being nuts.
by jollyroger on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 6:12pm
I listened to the pregame show on ESPN radio on the ride back to B'more yesterday. I was surprised that I could watch the game on Fox Go. I knew when I heard that Coke commercial that there would be complaints.
During the game my brother posted a picture of OJ Simpson's white Bronco chase, with the caption, a Bronco hasn't had a good run since 1994. My take was that it is hard for an old Bronco to drive past anything named Washington in New Jersey with Christie as governor.
This morning I still had ESPN radio tuned in, and since the game was fairly boring, it was mostly two DJs taking texts and calls about that ad. Some veteran called in and said, I'm not against black people, my mom is dating a black guy, but I think Americans should speak English. A lot of people threatened to stop drinking Coke.
The reality though is that a lot of Americans are already finding alternatives to soda pop. Coke is probably aiming their advertising as widely as possible to find anyone who they think might still be willing drink their product.
by Donal on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 10:52am
a Bronco hasn't had a good run
by jollyroger on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 6:23pm
A lotta 'mericans still believe what Ma Ferguson said many years ago. If English was good nuff for Jesus, it should be good nuff for Texas!....and for the Coca Cola Company of America!
by NCD on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 12:52pm
If Nahuatl was good enough for Quetzelcoatl, it's good enough for Texas
by jollyroger on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 6:08pm
I definitely preferred the version of the song in the ad to Queen Latifah's overly stylized one in the pre-game show. (Does that make me racist?) But I also thought the Star-Spangled Banner was overly flourished as well. In that venue, simple sing-along styles of both would have been better.
I do wonder though why the not so subtle advocacy of multiculturalism made it through the gatekeepers who turned down the NRA ad using its advocacy of a political issue as the reason.
by EmmaZahn on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 7:26pm
Multiculturism, I would submit, is no longer a political issue like gun control. It is who we are, and lots of people can't handle that--as JR's link points out all too shamefully well. And as I wrote above, it is an all-too familiar refrain for some apparently. It's what turns Christmas into something political, a day to get angry about in its mildest form, and beyond that it destroys lives and the American dream in the process.
All of us with American citizenship are simply that and nothing more--even those among us, thank heavens, who don't speak English like they do down yonder.
We can be the Tower of Babel, or we can be something better.
by Bruce Levine on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 8:08pm
"Multiculturism, I would submit, is no longer a political issue like gun control."
For you maybe but obviously not for others like Allen West who led the objections to the ad and who, despite appearances, does not speak English like 'they do down yonder' (uh, definitely
racistbigoted). Ever hear him?The question though is why does the marketing division of a multi-national company like Coca-Cola get to decide what is and is not the politically-correct position on an issue? Answer: $$$$$$$$$$$$$.
I remember the story of the Tower of Babel from Bible School so I did not need your link, thank you very much, but I am not sure what you meant by:
"We can be the Tower of Babel, or we can be something better."
Are you suggesting that those in favor of a single national language are in danger of incurring the wrath of God by uniting what he put asunder?
by EmmaZahn on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 9:47pm
No. Having a Dad who learned English while growing up in a household of non-English speakers taught me long ago that Americans are better off if they learn English. But I also believe in second-language ballots, in both union elections and in those in the political realm. I also believe in bi-lingual education, and I also believe first and foremost that America doesn't work if we get angry about Coke's determination that multiculturism sells soda pop.
Allen West? This Allen West? Oy vey.
The link to the Tower of Babel was not just for you. We are writing in a public forum.
And, finally, I use yonder all of the time when I write at dag, and you can check it out and would conclude I probably have written "down yonder" more than everyone here put together. I also say groovy more than others.
However, if you truly believe that it was some form of racism against you, then I apologize from my heart Emma. I might think that your views on multiculturism are silly and outdated, but I do respect your sensitivities as a human being. And for that please forgive me. I understand the sting you appear to have felt.
P.S. On the other hand, if you're trying to claim that my yonder reference related to Allen West and his black skin then I call bullshit, and utterly so. I had no idea West was involved in this insanity. Had I known he was, as you suggest, the ringleader of this latest display of what is something other than America at its best, then I probably would have mocked the whole thing even more. Because I think it's slimy at the core, and I think that West is someone whose political views are outrageous--even relative to the views of most of his GOP colleagues.
by Bruce Levine on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 10:24pm
So, Bruce, what exactly do you infer my views on multiculturalism to be and on what do you base your inference?
by EmmaZahn on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 4:33pm
Allen West is nuttier then a squirrel turd. He hasn't changed since he was a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves in the 1980's. Even has the same hair cut only it is graying now. It just amazes me to see him in the public spot light. Had he been born 20 years earlier, he would have only been someone's crazy uncle. The media latched on to him and made him a celebrity for their far right meme.
by trkingmomoe on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 2:23pm
Maybe so, but pointing out that West is leading the charge objecting to the ad was a fun way to tweak Bruce's preconceptions in thanking heaven he does not talk like 'they do down yonder' .
by EmmaZahn on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 4:38pm
Point of Personal Privilege. Perhaps the cause of your posture here is what I meant by thank heavens. I was referring to the folks in the commercial, you know as in the people about whom this post is about. Didn't think it was confusing, but it means, for example, thank heavens my family was able to become citizens even when they spoke little English.
It's up to you whether you wish to believe otherwise, but in this case you weren't tweaking when you called me racist. That constitutes extraordinarily excessive tweaking Emma.
Take the last word Emma if you wish.
Sorry, last word from me. I speak New Yawkese, big time. I'm hardly in a position to make fun of any other American accent.
by Bruce Levine on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 6:01pm
"Take the last word Emma if you wish."
Okay. Lighten up, Bruce, you protest too much.
You made a biased statement
"-even those among us, thank heavens, who don't speak English like they do down yonder."
expressing disdain for the way people from a specific region speak and you did it in a comment on a thread extolling multiculturalism and multilingualism. The irony was too good to resist playing off.
by EmmaZahn on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 11:35am
I reject your characterization of what I wrote, and I've explained what I intended to write, and I accept that you misunderstood it as stated above.
I don't consider allegations of racism and bigotry to be something we joke about. I really hope you didn't call me a racist and a bigot for kicks and giggles. That's just not funny Emma, and if it were me I would be charged with a violation of the terms of service here. I don't want you to be so charged, but I am making the point.
If you really think I was bigoted and racist, I really am sorry Emma, truly and from the bottom of my heart.
by Bruce Levine on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 12:22pm
Edited: I believe this ad by Coca Cola, was solely intended, to bring up the issue of diversity/multi culturalism; for the purpose of reaching an audience of; those who will become a part of the multilateral trading system. An audience they hope to find dupes, who will help fight for their cause.
While we argue Racism or any other issues, they plant the seed.
A planned assault on the resistors of Coca Cola, (a MEGA multinational corporation) and its allies goals. Softening up, the intended target ( the landing zone)… America?
As Coca Cola and other proponents of the, TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES (TPP) will all be doing over the coming months.
Coca cola was looking beyond, just marketing Coke in America; it’s looking to serve the multilateral trading system
Boycott Coke, unless you want your money, supporting those with an agenda, not good for the working class Americans.
America is beautiful; but not for long, if these self serving folks get their way
READ the agreement,...... that is if you can.
SECRET?
TPP Exposed: WikiLeaks Publishes Secret Trade ... - Democracy Now!
Bill Watson; what have you been smoking?
by Resistance on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 12:12pm
I believe that you may have mistakenly conflated support for multiculturalism within one country for support for oppresive multinational economic institutions.
I find this, con respetto, something of a leap. The only common element is the "multi" allusion.
by jollyroger on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 1:39pm
I think you're missing the subtext of the message. This isn't the first time Coke has hidden its sinister intentions behind a seemingly benign message. Remember when they proposed poisoning the majority of the world's population with a drug that causes obesity, diabetes, and early death. I was shocked to see a commercial on national TV brazenly promoting genocide. Even Hitler and the Nazis tried to hide their genocide.
Clearly you can see the implicit threat in the "I'd like to give the world a Coke" ad.
by ocean-kat on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 3:54pm
Cocaine gives you diabetes? Wait, what? Not that kind of Coke?
by jollyroger on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 4:24pm
Which is different than saying I'd like to share my coke with the world.. wait no coke head ever did say that did they!
by tmccarthy0 on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 5:38pm
They may have said it, they may have even meant it, but they never follow through!
by Bruce Levine on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 5:41pm
Heheh...no they never did.
by tmccarthy0 on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 11:39pm
Just say "no" to coke and "yes" to speed...
by jollyroger on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 6:31pm
That guy.. in all honesty though he doesn't look very healthy!
by tmccarthy0 on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 11:40pm
I thought it was a beautiful ad. I seem to remember the same kind of kerfuffle over Coke's "I'd Like To Give the World a Coke/Teach the World To Sing" ad, which was also beautiful.
I remember the same kind of silly tsk-tsk feather-fluffing over the United Colors of Benetton ads.
Nothing subversive, no secret messages. If someone thinks it's crass to use a sweet message of diversity to sell product, they should take a look at some of the other top-selling product-movers--namely American flags, military logos and of course, Jesus.
by Ramona on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 8:37am
Did people object to the "I'd like to teach" Coke ad? I don't see how anyone could.
by Aaron Carine on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 2:43pm
Yes, Aaron. In the 1970s it was rare to see blacks and whites together in advertisements or commercials. In fact, this may have been the first.
You'll notice when it opens the first three singers are white and it isn't until the next scene that you see more racial and ethnic diversity. Then they're all standing together, side by side, some in their native costumes. They were singing about getting along. Some saw it as a protest song. I'm not kidding.
The xenophobes will always be with us. Nothing changes.
by Ramona on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 3:30pm
Aaron, I have a distinct recollection from back in the early 1970s, when my friend's Dad blew a gasket because Wheaties was placing pictures of black athletes on their cereal boxes. I was dumbfounded even then.
by Bruce Levine on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 4:05pm
Well, it makes sense..your friend's Dad thought the cereal was called "Whities". A mistake anyone could make whose literacy skills were rusty.
by jollyroger on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 4:27pm
[groan]
by jollyroger on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 4:28pm
:)
by Bruce Levine on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 4:38pm
Sorry Emma. You decided to call me a "
racist bigot (?)"for using the term down yonder. And I reiterate a sincere heartfelt apology if you understand that I was somehow being racist towards you. But after I read your Allen West comment a second time, it seemed like you were accusing me of being racist towards him. By the way, not that I care that much, but didn't you violate the TOS by calling me racist?You are free to explain your own views. Why would you care what a racist bigot like me thinks?
by Bruce Levine on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 5:00pm
Perhaps I can be of service...I believe the double-entendre executed by way of overstrike"bigotted" and "racist" was, in fact, directed at the esteemed congressman. But that is just my uninformed (if pharmacologically assisted) take on the matter..
by jollyroger on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 6:29pm
Well as the son of a former pharmacist on Main Street in Patchogue, that sounds like a credible interpretation to me.
by Bruce Levine on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 7:17pm
Well, she hears, "Way down yonder in the land of cotton. Old folks there are not forgotten. Look away..."
In short...the South.
by Peter Schwartz on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 8:03am
I don't know what Emma heard Peter, I honestly don't, but perhaps you're right. I do know what I wrote and why and it was not meant to offend white folks from down south. And it certainly wasn't directed at the zany former congressman from Florida. But the point is I offered a sincere apology, asked for forgiveness, and accept that she felt as if I was disrespecting folks down south--where hopefully I will be by the end of the day (New Orleans) -- my morning flight is canceled.
One point I would take from this is that people are offended by all sorts of things, much of it perhaps the product of that which is unintentional. I long have urged for people to respect these sensitivities, and to me, it seems as if the ordinary response is that if you cannot stand the heat then get out of the kitchen. I reject that, as I assume you do as well. This notion that avoiding language laced with bigotry, perceived or otherwise, somehow precludes discourse is false, a cop-out, and betrays an inability to express oneself in prose.
I believe that communication on left-leaning blogs has become infected with ugly historical tropes with respect to Jews, to the point where people with nothing but love in their hearts use offensive language without even realizing it (thus my surprise at the casual use of "tribalism" by good folks several weeks back). That is certainly my experience here. There's a whole enterprise, enabled by the MJs of the world, perpetuating the notion that Jews reflexively scream antisemitism to avoid discourse. That, too, of course, is another historical trope, i.e. the Jews control the press and therefore the discourse. Finkelstein speaks of a "holocaust industry" and he is given license from many because his folks were survivors.
Such is the state of our discourse. It's what leads some of us to conclude that the rest of the world will never forgive the Jews for the Holocaust! (funny, but not, right?)
Emma and I have an extraordinarily unfortunate history and yet I will still presume that, if she thinks I was disrespecting white southerners, I accept that and really do apologize, publicly, and again, and with humility. Perhaps she can teach us about the discrimination that white people in southern states are subjected to, and how it has affected their lives. I would listen to that, and with my heart.
As stated, I know the sting. I have asked her to forgive me, but that's up to her and I hope she does. In short, I will presume I am wrong because I think this is an important issue that is too often cast aside as frivolity or a veiled attempt to stifle.
Finally, Peter, as you requested, I did post some stuff on the boycott efforts directed at Israel. I am sorry you missed it, because I thought it was more balanced than anything written about the I-P conflict in a very long time. Perhaps that's why it garners such little attention. :)
In fact Peter, notwithstanding your late appearance in this particular post, I wasn't looking for a fight. And I believe I have dealt with Emma's charge that I am a racist and a bigot in an appropriate manner. The ball, my friend Peter, is no longer in my court.
P.S. Ponder what the response would be if I had called someone an anti-semite under analogous circumstances. I'm on probation here--one strike left, with no provision for parole under the terms of service as I understand it. It would probably have me banned. The attacks would begin from all around and it would be a free for all. That's what I believe.
by Bruce Levine on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 8:49am
I did see it, Bruce, but haven't delved into it because I just finished moving into a new house and am just now back up and running. I appreciated that and will go back and read.
I didn't really know that the count against you was 2 and 3. I'm sorry about that. Your apology was sincere, IMO, and I know you know how she might be feeling in this situation.
Not that accents count online, but...
I've known a few Southerners who've said that, especially in business settings, a Southern accent marks them as "stupid" or as "rubes." One friend had to extirpate, "I'm fixing to do XYZ," from her discourse because of this. Of course, being mistaken for a rube can be an advantage in negotiations--but that's something else.
I'm sure there's sensitivity around all of that...and perhaps Emma was feeling that. Then again, she's been tagged a few times, so maybe she relishes doing a little tagging herself. I dunno. Emma posts many interesting things aside from all this, which is mostly what I try to focus on.
Some of what we're doing here is working out complicated, subjected, and often inconsistent or irrational feelings. That's legitimate, though it can get a bit tedious, for me at least.
Since moving to D.C. in 1970, I've taken on some Southern-isms. Y'all, principally. "Good Shabbos, y'all," never sounded quite kosher to me, but Southern Jews, like my father's former partner, greet the Sabbath that way. Though I'd never been able to pass for a Southerner by my speech (I'm sure), I bet I don't sound the way I did when I was growing up in CT, either.
Listening to popular music, especially, but even the movies, all of America now sounds like it comes from the South or is "country." At least to me. It's become the way to sound genuinely 'Merican, unless you're Peter Jennings, who was Canadian, which is why, I guess, GWB dropped his "gees."
We all want to sound "homespun," which phrase goes back to Revolutionary times, when folks like GW made a point of wearing clothing made from domestically made cloth, instead of British-made cloth.
We're all Southerners now.
by Peter Schwartz on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 9:17am
I think of yonder as a slightly archaic English word, and it reminds me of an old Carole King song, and of my nephew in the Air Force.
by Donal on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 9:38am
In my learned and sincere opinion, if Emma is offended by what I wrote, then Donal, with all due respect, to me it doesn't matter what you think--you were not offended.
by Bruce Levine on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 9:47am
I'm not lobbying for a response on my boycott piece, but I am always happy to read what you have to say.
As to my probation, management makes the rules and I accept them and I am only sorry that I broke them. I accept my punishment, even if I have problems based upon my understanding of how management in the aggregate deals with these issues. I know they act in good faith.
Most importantly Peter, a hearty mazel tov on your new home, and may it be filled with the warmth of family and friends for many years to come.
by Bruce Levine on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 10:16am
Join the club of the outcasts.
Until Jolly recently provided the link about, People not knowing you're a dog or a horse on the internet; I was too easily offended by some, who could misunderstand, or twist my words, thoughts or worse.... Just don't respond to all the accusations/accusers.
There are some folks, I will not answer directly, for I already know how things will turn out.
I've even given a thumbs up, rather than my words, that can get twisted, to a poster I agree with, so I don't get drawn into an argument.
In a week everyone will have forgotten this blog. only to start another debate on another post. Live to debate another day.
by Resistance on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 12:01pm
Thanks.
by Bruce Levine on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 12:24pm
I would suggest, maybe you remove any link to your real name. So that you do not have to defend YOUR Good name. Who cares that some love to tear people apart, they cant defame you; only your fictitious name.
I am reminded of what Pontius Pilate said to Jesus "don't you hear what your accusers are saying? The man didn't respond, because he knew; it would not make a difference.
Maybe you could use the name Defender of the Faithful or (fill in the blank) everyone else defends their favorite group.
by Resistance on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 3:48pm
Resistance,
I appreciate the advice. I have a reputation in real life that will not be affected by what goes on at Dagbog and my employment situation isn't threatened. by my open participation here. But I wouldn't advise most people here to be so open about who they are. I also think that in a community like this anonymity is a necessary protection, but it is not license to turn the place into something other than a place to discuss things with respect and dignity and, for some of us, with passion. Anonymity is not an excuse for folks to be rude.
But thanks Resistance. You annoy me a lot but your heart is showing through right now. I'll keep that between us!
Peace my brother.
by Bruce Levine on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 6:05pm
We both have reasons to not agree at times.
There is plenty to disagree with others, when Ethics is involved
Ethics seeks to resolve questions dealing with human morality—concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics
I am known amongst my friends, to not hold a grudge. Forgiving others of their trespasses is a good thing, whether they ask for it or not. People can change.
I don’t know if you saw this,
What are your thoughts?
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/msnbc-fires-employee-responsible-cheerios-675794
by Resistance on Wed, 02/05/2014 - 7:43pm