Perhaps someone could explain to me why a black lawn Jockey is racist. I just don't get it. Would it be racist if it was a white lawn jockey?

Secondly, I extremely doubt that the ad makers even knew it was there.

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I think it's more that the lawn jockey resembles the old black-face minstrels...

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The statue is racist. I've never seen a black person that black. Are white people's skin as white as milk? No, white people's skin is not exactly white. If they were, then there would be no difference between whites and albino's would there?



Also, the guys lips are ridiculous, and where are his eye lids? His nose is too flat as well. Lastly, the kind of servile and deferential attitude that the jockey characterizes is how blacks used to have to act in the South. Being servile and deferential due to racism is not something that one would put on their lawn, unless one liked that sort of thing.

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Yes, I think people would find the statue racist as it harks back to the "yes sir, yes sir" slave like representation of a black person. The kind of thing you see in older films, where there is a black housemaid, male servant or indeed the whole uncle tom character. Whether it would be racist if it was a white lawn boy is a non-issue. Whites have a different history and their representation wasn't for a long period of time as slaves, servants and generally performing menial roles. I suppose nowadays blacks are usually represented in an equally negative manner, primarily as criminals.

On a separate point, obviously as i am not American i am not witnessing much regarding the presidential election. Of course i hear about the results of the local votes for the nominations and the odd debate, but one thing i have noticed is that Hilary Clinton seems to just constantly negatively campaign. Has she actually got any policies or is her whole campaign going to be about attacking Obama? I know when their are elections in England, i get really turned off by negative campaigning. I'd rather know what person X is going to do rather than why not to vote for person Y.

Well Tilda Swinton's skin comes pretty damn close!

If we were to depict white people, the way the jockey depicts blacks, Tilda's face would be the same color as her shirt.

Obviously, it's not in reality though.

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This man, who played Shaka Zulu, is rather dark. However, even his complexion is not pitch-black as is that statue:

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I don't believe that the statue was an intentional part of the commercial, but it also wouldn't surprise me. And yes, those statues are extremely offensive. My grandmother's second husband displayed one on his yard back in the 70s for that very reason. Dont know his whereabouts anymore, but I'm afraid he's one of the Hispanic voters that will refuse to vote for Obama for no other reason than the color of his skin. Like I said, nothing would surprise me.

All people are, to some extent or another, racist. Don't act as though you don't harbour any racial bias; in fact, you just exposed it.

Anyways,

Calling Hillary a racist is absurd and libelous. Its the same as accusing Obama and his supporters of misogyny--both are stupid and detract from intelligent debate.