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i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 9:21:03 AM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		i hope this doesnt start a firestorm.  hell, it may even be ignored. but it has me feelng many emotions, and i am trying to figure out if they come from a good place or a bad place within me.

http://blackatlas.com/aboutus

this came up on my bellsouth homepage. i am currently sitting and watching a show on history called black blizzard, and i clicked this link not having a clue what it was, just clicking during commercials.

the content is pissing me off the more i think about it.  my thoughts have gone from well hell, i guess i am racist, to if we are past racism, such a site would not be needed, to if i were a black person i would want to kill whitey and how dare i even think i have a clue where they are coming from.

so, when i am going crazy in my own head, i like to share.

lucky yall.

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 9:30:52 AM   
OrpheusAgonistes


Posts: 253
Joined: 3/29/2010
Status: offline 		Can you be a little more specific about what is bothering you?  I only glanced at the page, but it looks fairly innocuous.

Is there something especially egregious about the content that I completely overlooked (definitely possible) or are you just bothered by the notion that there is a niche market for "black travelers?"   


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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 9:40:06 AM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		what bothers me is the fact that if this were "whiteatlas", there would be protests in the streets.

i am trying to figure out where those thoughts come from.  maybe i am a redneck racist, too dumb to know any better, or maybe there is a double standard that we somehow need to get rid of for us to really move on.

ill give more clear thoughts when i sort it all out in my head.  i aint a deep thinker, so it could take a while, and ill probably get a headache in the process....



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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 9:43:53 AM   
LadyAngelika


Posts: 8070
Joined: 7/4/2004
Status: offline 		If it is legit (and I have my doubts to be honestly), it is just another attempt at niche marketing.

I'll be curious how they will fair in the lawsuit by American Airlines for copyright infringement in regards to their logo.

- LA

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 9:48:05 AM   
LadyAngelika


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JstAnotherSub
what bothers me is the fact that if this were "whiteatlas", there would be protests in the streets.


It has become socially acceptable for minorities to have separate services: gay bars, business women's associations, etc. I see advantages and disadvantages to these types of fringe establishments. But they don't offend me.

The copyright infringement offends me though.
- LA

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 9:57:56 AM   
pegbundy


Posts: 565
Joined: 4/3/2010
Status: offline 		I can understand the market for this. Racism is a reality, and I can see sharing travel tips on areas which are more or less friendly. It is certainly important to know where not to go or which hotel not to stay in.

It is also true that if it were reversed there would be a public outcry, at the very least.

I am not upset by it, only saddened that is needed in any way.

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:04:24 AM   
CalifChick


Posts: 10717
Joined: 10/28/2007
From: California
Status: offline 		It is a legitimate site, and it is sponsored by American Airlines.  I've already written my letter of complaint, using the "contact us" link on the page, as I too find it offensive.  I don't find it socially acceptable to single out any group of people based on the color of their skin.

At this point it is merely a marketing and travel tool; there are no indications of places that are dangerous to stay for any specific population of people.  American is touting its frequent flier program and its private lounges in various airports.

Cali




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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:09:02 AM   
Jeffff


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Status: offline 		American Airlines is trying to increase their business.

This makes them seem sensitive and they hope black folks will folks to them in droves and increase their market share..

It's advertising, not much different than telling young men that the right body spray will get them all the hot bitches

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:18:34 AM   
pegbundy


Posts: 565
Joined: 4/3/2010
Status: offline 		Then I must admit to not having read carefully enough to pick up on this. Where is my cloak of shame? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Clever marketing plan that, disguising exploitation as service. I'm sure they'll find it profitable.

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:20:53 AM   
Jeffff


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Status: offline 		Of course they will.

"It's not personal Sonny, it's business"

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:25:08 AM   
SailingBum


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From: Sailin the stormy sea
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeffff

American Airlines is trying to increase their business.

This makes them seem sensitive and they hope black folks will folks to them in droves and increase their market share..

It's advertising, not much different than telling young men that the right body spray will get them all the hot bitches


DAMN you mean it won't???  You mean to say they have been lying to me all these years?


BadOne




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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:28:07 AM   
LadyAngelika


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Joined: 7/4/2004
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quote:

It is a legitimate site, and it is sponsored by American Airlines.


Califchick. I found the reference. The reason why I thought it was a fake is that:

1) they used the AA Logo next to the mission statement which is: "A unique online community that offers travel insights from an African-American perspective." (I thought they were referring to the AA in African-American and never mentioned being affiliated to American Airlines in their mission statement
2) I really didn't think that American Airlines would make such a bad move as they are likely going to attract more bad press from both the black community as well as others than anything else.

- LA

< Message edited by LadyAngelika -- 5/9/2010 10:37:11 AM >

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:34:20 AM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeffff

American Airlines is trying to increase their business.

This makes them seem sensitive and they hope black folks will folks to them in droves and increase their market share..

It's advertising, not much different than telling young men that the right body spray will get them all the hot bitches


ha! my son uses that axe stuff.  it makes me sick.  he does not yet have the wimmen folk all over him.

so far everyone has made a valid point.  i think it just is what it is, and whether i like it or not, folks will never quit trying to make a buck and somehow feel more sensitive to someone, by tapping into such things as race.

sighs.  no headache yet, but i may have to go to the porch before long.

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:46:28 AM   
OrpheusAgonistes


Posts: 253
Joined: 3/29/2010
Status: offline 		I just can't get too upset about this.  I also wouldn't get too upset over a "White Atlas" though.  My thinking in both cases would be "What a half-assed idea that is going to flop miserably to a chorus of derisive laughter."  If American were really committed to the idea, they'd have signed up someone bigger than Nelson George (a bad music critic best known for once really, really, really pissing Prince off) as the face of the venture.

If I were black, this would probably bother me more, because it's so clearly a patronizing, hamfisted, flopsweat scented little song and dance routine.  African American consumers with expendable income do network with each other, but alas it isn't quite this easy to tap into that revenue stream.


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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 11:41:17 AM   
DMFParadox


Posts: 1405
Joined: 9/11/2007
Status: offline 		Marketers treat every segment equally hamfisted.

I certainly get tired of geek stereotypes. Except when they're awesome. And average white male awkward syndrome, that one tends to piss me off too.


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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 7:20:51 PM   
DomImus


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JstAnotherSub
or maybe there is a double standard that we somehow need to get rid of for us to really move on.


Where did you get the impression that everyone wants to move on? I work with a few black people who I am certain do not wish to be the victims of genuine racism but their race cards are so worn from having been played in so many hands that they are dog eared. As long as the tactic works it will remain. Yes, the double standard you mention does exist but it really isn't worth getting upset over.






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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/9/2010 10:31:02 PM   
SirPumpy


Posts: 219
Joined: 9/26/2007
From: Country Victoria, Orstraliya
Status: offline 		I cant watch this link right now (Im working) but hell if its been dreamt up by Ad Men id view it with suspicion as id hazard a guess and suggest that their motives may be far from pure.

A bit of controversy might provide advertising worth millions for nothing.....

Im not Racist, I hate everyone equally.

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RE: i am trying to figure out why this bothers me... - 5/10/2010 7:19:56 AM   
Termyn8or


Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline 		FR

I haven't really explored the site, but making it an issue is reverse racism which is basically racism.

But I can tell you this, there are places out west and in southern Ohio that I would recommend Black people to stay away from. There are also places where White people ought to stay away from. I mean these are facts of life. You have all this egalitarian la ti da you want, and you call me what you want, these are facts of life. We got US citizens learning to act like Canadians when they travel abroad, even our most vocal resident racist watchdog uses a French passport for intenational travel.

At least some people don't have their head up their ass.

T

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