Apple RosaParks?
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- designbum
(Yo, I just sent this letter to Apple.. Anybody else feel the same way I do?)
http://designbum.net/ftp/temp/ap…
Dear Apple,
I take offense at your use of the imagery of Rosa Parks to sell your product. Combining the image of a recently deceased civil rights hero not only seems opportunistic and untimely but disrespectful and shallow. Reducing her contribution in history to an overly simplified and ultimately capitalistic concept only serves to highlight the inequalities that exist today.
One may ask, who is the target of this ad, and who approved it? Is this ad targeting poor black youth? Are they the demographic Apple markets to? I think not. The function of this ad is to appeal to Apple's primary target market, white people with disposable income. It is only too easy for me to imagine some white executive approving this ad, thinking that by using Rosa Parks in an Apple ad, it would somehow honor her memory.
The irony of Rosa Parks being used as a marketing tool to a predominately white market only days after her death sets a bad precedent.
Sincerely,
Issara Willenskomer
- Point50
you have a good point. and yes, I do think it's in poor taste to try to rake money off of her grave within days of her death.
- pocho0
I'm pretty sure there was a Rosa Parks Apple poster YEARS ago when they first started the 'Think Different" campaign.
There were also Ghandi, Ali, Lucille Ball, Hendrix, Thomas Edison and others. I don't see a problem.
- Mimio0
They're contributing to her estate and foundations I'm sure.
- version30
pocho called it
- prodigalslacker0
good letter, but they've used what all sorts of people who thought different in the past.
i'm not saying you're wrong, but the point is that she thought differently, i think it's more of in honor of her memory.
it's a double edged sword for apple- do they pay respect to someone who thought different and come across as cold, as if they're adveritisng for a product (no products are directly listed)...i think everyone, black, white, pc user, mac user........ we can all get along and say rosa parks was great.
at least they didn't put those dumbass white headphones in her ears.
- same0
what are you talking about? that is a poster from way back in teh day. The same series with Einstien etc. They had permission from her in the 80s to use that poster.
Man, people get worked up over everything now days. Pretty soon we wont be able to talk to each other in fear of insulting somebody and getting sued.
- spaniard0
exactly, it was ok'ed by her estate, which is surprising to say the least... I think it's a pretty lame ad by all accounts.
- designbum0
yeah, i think the two main issues for me, again, are how opportunistic the ad feels, as if apple was profiting from her death, and the use of her iconography contextualized in apple's marketing plan. neither seem respectful or appropriate.
- designbum0
and thanks for fixing the link..
- fadeproof0
*yaaaaaaaaawn
- Point50
OK, so I'm stupid for agreeing. I forgot about those old ads. But I tell you what, I wrote a letter to Kraft about 4 years ago after I got tired of seeing the "step'n and fetch'n" images of the Cream of Wheat guy. I decided to look up the history of this particular black chef and just became more outraged. They really should phase that shit out and replace with something else. Same for whatever company makes Aunt Jemima products. Just like Cube was saying, just because she's got a perm now doesn't mean it's cool...
- designbum0
the cream of wheat guy is a bit different. to better understand his role you have to look at the role of racism in advertising and how the images of black people were used to contrast with certain products. i've got this great book (i can't remember what it's called) that's about the history of this and follows it up to current day shit like michael jordan. pretty facinating/horrifying stuff..
with rosa parks, i just have to wonder what apple is getting out of this. ultimately the only goal of advertising is getting you to spend money on shit you don't need. how is the iconography of rosa parks accomplishing that?
- designbum0
ah, i just found the book. it's 'the art and history of black memorabilia' by larry vincent buster and it really makes you think twice about the use of black iconography by predominately white businesses
- joec0
oh come on, really.
please, i beg you to tell me what product they are trying to sell that you so adamantly claim they are trying to do. its not like they photoshopped an ipod into her hand on the image!!! they dont even mention a single apple product in either the home page or her tribute page (when clicking on the home page image).
they are merely paying respect to a national icon. cant anyone do something nice without being over-analyzed?
lighten up a bit, your ass must squeak when you walk.
peace
- Jaline0
it's a double edged sword for apple- do they pay respect to someone who thought different and come across as cold, as if they're adveritisng for a product (no products are directly listed)...i think everyone, black, white, pc user, mac user........ we can all get along and say rosa parks was great.
at least they didn't put those dumbass white headphones in her ears.
prodigalslacker
(Oct 27 05, 11:32)true
- Point50
I'll have to peep that book out designbum. thanks
- todelete__20
*spits out cream of wheats
MOTHER FUCK!
*throws bowl across room
- bauts1060
What product are they selling??? Are you serious? There's an effing Apple logo clearly in the top left! If all they were concerned with was celebrating the life of Rosa Parks...why did they have to include their logo? So we know that Apple is recognizing Rosa Parks...which is ultimately more important than just plain honoring a brave figure in american history. I liked the lettter you wrote to Apple, and I totallly agree with you.