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Furniture Fitting for Both Black andWhite (and Hispanic)
North Carolina Ad Engages in Racial Dialogue
Posted by Ken Wheaton on
05.01.09 @ 04:06 PM 
Red House Furniture in High Point, N.C. is trying an interesting approach to sellingfurniture--one that must be see to be believed. Without spoiling it for anyone, it imaginesa world of racial harmony, where a couch can be "perfect for a black person or a white person."It's certainly an interesting approach. According to this local Fox affiliate article, the spotwas created by a North Carolina comedy duo--Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal--thatspecializes in creating viral videos. Indeed, the spot was intended as a parody of other local ads for furniture stores (and we all know how bad -- or spectacularly awesome --those can be.)Despite the ad being meant as humor and despite the fact its message is one of racialfurniture harmony, I wonder if some will find it offensive.
 
6 Comments
By Derek Walker | Grand Prairie, TX May 2, 2009 10:11:27 am:I know some are going to be offended, but I can't be. At least they attempted to addresssomething that everyone tries to ignore - the fact that not everyone feels welcome inevery store or business.Good for them.And I did laugh, a little.
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 By lauramartinezruiz | New York city, NY May 4, 2009 03:12:13 pm:This ad begs the question: Why don't Hispanics love the Red House?
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 By Davek | exeter May 5, 2009 05:59:04 am:ahaha i love this video its great, the two guys singing just make it for me.. at theredhouse.....
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 By peppermiller | CHICAGO, IL May 17, 2009 10:31:40 pm:I'm not offended, just cringed throughout. Sorry. Not good advertising. Not funny. Nottalking to me.
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 By sineater213 | Inglewood, CA June 22, 2009 05:06:23 pm:It did not offend me, it was kind of funny not that great advertising. It was just missingsomething.
 
2 _____________ Game Hacks
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 By cityslick | Houston, TX October 16, 2009 05:37:48 am:I thought it was a fantastic, low budget, small business ad. It's too bad some folks feltuncomfortable watching it, though I'm sure it wasn't meant to be shown outside of a localcommunity. I'm not surprised the humor isn't universal.Henalhttp://www.cityslick.net/
 
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Market Research: Cinco de Mayo Isn'tIndependence Day
But Its Connection With U.S. History Might SurpriseYou
Posted by Rochelle Newman-carrasco on
05.04.09 @ 04:38 PM 
Rochelle Newman-Carrasco
As Cinco de Mayo festivals get canceled across the U.S. because of swine flu, and anti-Mexican sentiment appears to be raising its ugly head, it seemed appropriate to highlightthe potentially important impact that the Battle of Puebla (aka Cinco de Mayo) had onU.S. history. In other words, it's not just about Corona and
carnitas,
you know.By now if you're still referring to Cinco de Mayo as Mexican Independence Day, you probably aren't reading this blog. You may not be reading anything at all. That said, mostof us are aware of a few Cinco de Mayo facts, mostly focused on the Battle of Puebla, inwhich the Mexican Army, against all odds, was victorious against French intervention.From a marketing standpoint, it is also commonly known that Cinco de Mayocelebrations are mostly a U.S. phenomenon initiated by Latinos in the U.S. and embraced by the U.S. Hispanic advertising community as a promotional opportunity for clientsranging from alcohol to zoos. The holiday is celebrated in some areas of Mexico, but notat the national level.But an aspect of Cinco de Mayo that isn't often discussed is the role the victory at Pueblahad in keeping the U.S. safe from one of two history-changing scenarios: 1) Confederatevictory during the Civil War and 2) French intervention in the U.S.The Battle of Puebla took place in 1862, the same year that Abraham Lincoln waswrestling with a Civil War on U.S. soil. The following historical perspective, taken from North Carolina's Fayetville Observer and confirmed via other sources, puts a new U.S.twist on the legend of Cinco de Mayo.During this time, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was enjoying success, and had theFrench defeated México at Puebla, France would have aided the South in the AmericanCivil War in order to free Southern ports of the Union Blockade. The Mexicans had wona great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen.
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