Essay 830

A few more comments from AdAge.com in response to Bob Garfield’s column (see Essay 820)…

-----------------------------------------------------------------

>Bob Garfield may be the Simon Cowell of the ad industry, but I’m sure as hell glad someone is finally starting to talk about race as a neutral subject matter, not as an emotionally charged battleground. I’m sick of people tip-toeing around the most innocuous comments in fear of offending. The disconnect between message and context has become ridiculous — things are taken out of context all the time, as if we need to look for more sources of conflict. Forget the “n-word” — “race” itself has become a taboo word. Kudos, Bob, for putting it back in our vocabulary for what it actually is - just a word.
— PHILADELPHIA, PA

>This is becoming quite the limber column with how far Mr. Garfield is stretching to cull controversy from mediocre advertising. From reading homophobia into a seemingly harmless and playful Dodge Calibur ad to questioning the racial undertones of a childish Oreo spot, it’s becoming quite the odd, little pattern — and it leaves me wondering what could possibly be next. Perhaps that the Take 5 “Taste and Believe” campaign has religious significance? Maybe that the stampeding of the old Six Flags mascot is an affront to senior citizens? Please. How about reviewing some truly different, big-time advertising or giving us all examples of quality work that’s making a difference in the marketplace? While I enjoy a good laugh, this is really kind of silly. Or, maybe I’m reading too much into this...
— New York, NY

>Bob, methinks thou dost protest too much.
— Westfield, NJ