I wouldn't take it too offensively, I mean what about the rhino?
It's an offensive depiction of a rhino- not all rhinos chase people and have red blood thirsty eyes.

Wow, I was about to give up on hearing anything useful in this thread and then you came along! Thanks so much that was my sentiments exactly!

I don't know maybe it's because I wasn't raised in middle class white suberbia that I know how racially insensitive images like this can be so detrimental to society...

Oh and just because I didn't mention the idiotic sexist ads as well doesn't mean that they are any less derogitory... I dunno I kinda feel like most of you have missed the big picture with this...

But of course most of you are probably pampered little white kids that have no idea how much this shit is hurting our society... /bitchy rant>

While I can certainly see the offensiveness of that ad, I've seen other ads by those sorts of companies and I believe this is a case where they aren't so much racist as they are equally offensive to everyone. They make ads of all different sorts that show stereotypical and offensive sort of images. I figure it's easier to just ignore those sorts of things (which is a good idea for crappy ads to scam sites anyways) than to get all upset over it.

I found that far more offensive than I found the cartoon. Maybe you didn't mean to insult everyone, but I do feel insulted.

If you feel insulted than that probably means I hit the nail on the head... Well enjoy the sting honey... You will be getting no apologies from me...

Just because I don't share the same opinion as you doesn't mean that I am spoiled or ignorant. Why is the only statement that you find "useful" in your thread, the one that is the exact same as yours? It seems like it's a good thing to hear everyone's opinions. It makes a person think more deeply about how they feel to hear both sides of an issue, don't you think?

Anyway, maybe you could edit your first post with some of the ways that this is detrimental to society to explain your point of view a bit further. And maybe this should be moved to the debate forum.

Or maybe she was offended because your statement was just as stereotypical as the ad you were so upset about? Just because someone doesn't get all up in arms about every little stupid stereotypical thing making fun of a particular culture, race, gender, etc... doesn't mean that they are "pampered little white kids that have no idea how much this shit is hurting our society". Maybe the fact that we see this sort of nonsense every day (and not just about Africans, but about every race, gender, nationality, sexuality and any other identifying group a person can be labeled as) and we still don't think any less of someone for these things, shows that our society is actually getting better. I know that equality has still not been achieved in the society I belong to, not for any social minority; however, I don't see how getting yourself so work up over something as unimportant as a scam site ad is going to change that. I can look at that ad and not think any less of Africans because I know just how many stereotypes I face myself for things I can't control and things that shouldn't matter. People who are racist and do buy into the stereotypes though aren't that way because they saw some stupid ad. In most cases, they're the way they are because it is how they were raised and something as meaningless as an ad isn't going to have any impact on them.
I think you're placing way to much importance on something that really doesn't have an impact at all and not nearly enough on the real causes of stereotypes, racism, sexism and any other sort of bigotry and discrimination. I also think attacking people for not jumping on and supporting you in the idea that this ad is so important is doing more to hurt your case than anything. How do you expect to change anything when you're willing to stereotype the very people you claim have so much against you?

It is quite racist, yes. >.>; Though honestly...I find it more stupid than offensive. I hate those ads. I hate the way they use cheap gags to try and grab your attention, make you play some idiotic little minigame so they can load your computer with spyware...>.<;;; And of course, they go for stereotypical depictions of everything.

So like I said...I find it more blatantly idiotic than anything. Although to be honest...I might find it a bit amusing if it were some random tourist getting chased by a rhino, because...I've seen it happen. XD;; (He was fine, for the record - that's why I can laugh now.) Although I would STILL find it...amazingly stupid.

I don't find that offensive, and I'm usually offended when people say or do bad things about black people if they aren't joking about it. (My boyfriend is black, but I digress.) Like I said, if they are joking about it, I don't find it offensive. That looks like a joke, an amusing little game that they tend to stick on MySpace ads. There's no need to get uppity about it. Just because it's there doesn't mean that they secretly want to turn people into KKK members in the process of getting a free ringtone.

I can understand that you found it offensive, and that's your opinion that I cannot change. But don't get so defensive when people disagree with you. I mean, we're giving our opinions just like you're giving yours.

Looking back through this thread, this above quote offends me far more than anything else here.
You ask for peoples opinions, you get them and dismiss them unless they agree with you.
Not only that, but you resort to a completely unnecessary attempt at a put down at the end.
I'm not white. I'm not little. I'm not a kid.
I've had experiences of real racism several times in my life.
I still don't find that picture 'racist' because I've known what real racism is and it's a damn sight worse than a silly cartoon.
The cartoon isn't as offensive as you are.

My opinion:
It's an ad. An annoying ad. It's not meant to be offensive, and honestly, I think they have every right to put it there. There is freedom of speech in this country, and well, considering it's not directed at a specific person, they should have every right to make it and use it.
Wow. so I must say that no african american I have ever met had been insulted by things like this. As a matter of fact, most of the African Americans call themselves Niggers, hell, they don't mind it if I do.
Yes, Racism is a problem, but "racist" jokes, really, are... well, more dependant on who's telling it. I mean, really, I myself make jokes making fun of EVERYONE. Including myself.
America has freedom of speech. Take that away, and well, what would be so great about it? Everyone should be able to say whatever they want without worrying if it's "offensive".

And, honestly, isn't the fact that they have the token black guy in movies offensive? Or that now they have ads where they SPECIFICALLY make sure to add every race, even if you KNOW that's the only reason they picked them?
I find the whole being politically correct fad that's going on is offensive to me, as an american, and as a human being.
Racism is horrible, but here's the truth: You will never get rid of it. Why? Because it's HUMAN NATURE. We reject what is different.

I don't see it as racist at all. Maybe African Americans have been chased by a rhino. It's not a big deal. Those ads are just cartoons of whatever they can think of to lure people into their scams. It's just a cartoon. It's not screaming or trying to scream "BLACK PEOPLE GET CHASED BY RHINOS". Now I'm not racist, I have no problem with anybody of another race. They're people just like me. But I really don't see how that's racist.

i think they got what they wanted. someone to notice it. XD that's all they wanted i belive.... unforunately it is very offensive...

... Well, I don't think it's racist. I really don't think I should repeat the reasons because they've already been explained in the 1st page.