Racist Volkswagon Super Bowl Commercial

The internet is buzzing with the Volkswagen “Get Happy” ad intended to run during the Super Bowl–you know when all the other funniest commercials of the year see the light of day.

Check Out The Commercial Here:

If you watched it and found the humor, good for you. Some of #TeamBeautiful did too. But many folks are claiming that this commercial is racist and offensive. New York Times writer Charles Blow called it “blackface with voices” while others claimed “Black people are happy.” Wait. What?

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The folks at VW did their research, claiming to have spoken with 100 Jamaicans as research for the commercial. We wonder if it will see the light of day? VW Marketing Officer, Tim Mahoney has a backup plan if this commercial ends up getting pulled.

VW Released This Statement:

“The concept of Volkswagen’s ‘Get Happy’ advertisement is to put a smile on your face, and continues to build upon the heritage of ‘human stories, told simply.’ The protagonist in the commercial is intentionally meant to portray an upbeat perspective and intelligence as he influences his coworkers to ‘Get Happy.’ His accent is intended to convey a relaxed, cheerful demeanor while encouraging a positive attitude as the antidote to a tough Monday. Everyone can relate to being in an office and being ground down by the pressures of work and ‘Get Happy’ brings an optimistic, bright spirit into an otherwise.”

#TeamBeautiful couldn’t just let this ride out. Pun intended. We just had to sound off!

Ty Alexander:

Racist. C’mon now. I found this commercial to be quite hilarious. I literally laughed out loud. But racism, nope! My question would be, why did the German carmaker spend reportedly 8 million bucks for airtime on a commercial most people won’t understand. They went as far as consulting with 100 Jamaicans and a speech coach to ensure that Dave from Minnesota sounded like he was truly from the islands.

Meanwhile, viewers will be left puzzled with an eye brow raised as to why this white man has a strong Jamaican accent and drives a red Buggie. Is Volkswagen the mascot of Jamaica? What exactly am I missing in the joke?

Volkswagen says it’s ‘Get Happy’ concept is intended to “put a smile on your face” and “build upon human stories”. I still don’t quite get it. I tried really hard too. Watched the video three times… nope still doesn’t click for me. But a Jamaican white man named Dave from Minnesota is surely enough to put a smile on my face.

Danielle Young:

The Jamaican culture is known for its carefree vibe and I automatically understood that Volkswagen was going for that with their commercial. It’s obvious they want us to think the new Bug is the cause of Minnesota Dave’s positive attitude. That’s fine. And I’m not offended. I would have been offended had Dave donned one of those lame multicolored hats with dreadlocks hanging from them and rocked a painted-on blackface, then I would have immediately reached for the phone to ring up Reverend Al Sharpton.

I think Black people often are way too serious with matters of humor. This commercial isn’t racist, nor does it explore offensive parts of the Jamaican culture. Humor is made of a bit of truth and sting, so there’s always someone negatively affected by comedy because someone has to be the butt of the joke. However, this is just harmless. Haven’t there been commercials in the past with fake British accents? It’s the same thing–both accents aren’t necessarily connected to a race. No harm. No foul.

Shenequa Golding:

As a Jamaican woman, I know an authentic accent. Hell, I grew up with it and I’m the only one of my friends who can actually decipher the lyrics in a Beenie Man song, so when I saw this Volkswagen ad. I wasn’t offended. I was actually annoyed.

In my opinion, the commercial isn’t racist. It’s wack! I didn’t laugh and not because I was trying to hate on it, but it simply in my mind merited one of those LOLs you place at the end of a text, but you really didn’t LOL.

To me, the commercial appears to have sounded great on paper in the brainstorming session, but didn’t do too well when the director yelled action. The execution was off.

For people to say the commercial is racist is a stretch. I sometimes feel like people can’t take a joke, despite how flat the joke landed.

As a woman with family from the island, I’m not upset, I’m not ready to cuss anyone out. I don’t even want to throw a beef patty, some jerk or curry chicken at the “offensive” commercial. I simply want to change the channel.

Seriously? I am usually the first person to point out subliminal racism, especially during super bowl time when big time companies would do anything to stand out during one of the biggest nights on television. But this simple Volkswagon clip, featuring a white man sporting a Jamaican accent, that everyone is buzzing about is so so far from racist, it makes you question if black people are just incapable of taking a joke. I actually smiled. Laughed a bit too. I could have gone to see some Jamaican people in the clip. Maybe some black folk at the office…

That aside, you know someone is either getting fired or getting a raise!

Deborah Bennett:

I really don’t find this commercial offensive or racist. In fact, I think the actor has the Jamaican accent down to a T! People need to lighten up!

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