'Without question: the video is wrong and tasteless,' says Volkswagen, as it draws flak for an ad it posted on Instagram.
VOLKSWAGEN. This file photo taken on September 29, 2015, shows the logo of Volkswagen at a dealership in Woodbridge, Virginia. Photo by Paul J. Richards/AFPapologized on Wednesday, May 20, for an Instagram ad that showed a giant white hand pushing around a black person, after online backlash slamming the clip as racist.
The 10-second video appeared on the firm's Instagram story on Tuesday, May 19, to promote the new Golf car. It has since been removed but was still circulating on Twitter. The ad shows an oversized white woman's hand picking up a black man in a suit and moving him around before flicking him into a building and away from the yellow Golf car parked nearby. Viewers were quick to point out that the tagline reading"Der neue Golf" faded in such a way that it appeared to first spell out the N-word in German. Other social media users took offense at the sign above the building the man disappears into, which reads"Petit Colon," a reference to colonialism. VW replied to the flood of criticism on Instagram, insisting that the"origin of the people depicted is irrelevant" and that the company opposed"all forms of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination." "As you can imagine, we are surprised and shocked that our Instagram story could be so misunderstood," the post read, adding that the company would no longer run the ad. VW issued a separate statement on Wednesday, apologizing for the video and saying it was looking into what happened.Many viewers expressed disbelief that the ad was ever allowed to air. "No one here got the wrong impression," said one Instagram commenter."This is bad and racist communication."– Rappler.com
Please follow us on Google to support us Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard is missing after visiting newly reopened Venice BeachAuthorities in Los Angeles County told CNN they are actively searching for a swimmer after he was pulled out to sea by a rip current on Sunday afternoon.
Read more »