Was this a ridiculous over-sensitive reaction on part of some Twitter users?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....ht-AFTER-victory.html

[Mattk]

Yes.

The fact that people complained reflects poorly on them imo. They were the ones that linked a monkey to a black person.

[Gromit]

There is no indication how many complained probably hardly anyone.
The timing of the advert was unfortunate.
Never heard of Gabby Douglas
Never watch NBC as it is a channel in another country.

Bit of a non story for Brits.

[woofgang]

Thoughtless IMO, but also what a horrible ad, I hate to see dressed up performing animals.

[rojash]

"Was This A Ridiculous Over-Sensitive Reaction On Part Of Some Twitter Users?"
Yes

[emmie]

seems so, and for those that didn't see this wonderful gymnast you missed a true star

[ladybirder]

Yes. Outrage by proxy.

[Gromit]

Well, three twitter users judging by the graphic and quotes in the article.

Out of a population of 315,000,000.

Is this story a ridiculous over reaction from the Mail journalist?

[emmie]

wasn't it NBC who showed it?

[rojash]

"Is this story a ridiculous over reaction from the Mail journalist?"

Yes, but isn't that what Mail journalists get paid for?

[Mick-Talbot]

There are some young African American girls out there saying 'hey, I'd like to try that too'


Why emphasise the 'African American' bit anyway ?



Yes, ridiculous over-sensitive reaction .


BTW

Tell the fools at the Daily Mail that a chimpanzee is not a monkey.

[Mick-Talbot]

Actually, I only glanced ... better take another look....looks like a monkey :0/

[Mick-Talbot]

Right ..... I'm off out ....lol

[sp1814]

It's an over-reaction in the sense that NBC obviously didn't air the advert to cause offensive. Adverts are pre-booked by networks months in advance. There was no way anyone could've predicted Gabby Douglas' success coming just before that particular advert being broadcast.

However, we should remember why this happens...black people have been associated with apes and monkeys for generations (cf. monkey noises and bananas thrown on football pitches by racists in the 70s).

It's a recognised link that some people still use (remember the Marilyn Davenport email? http://thedailywh.at/tag/marilyn-davenport/)

By the way - this kind of thing happens all the time and it's not confined to race issues. Did you know that that British dance act Massive Attack were referred to as 'Massive' during the first war in Iraq?

Did you know that Kylie released an album called 'Impossible Princess' which had to be renamed to to 'Kylie' because it was due to be released shortly after the death of Princess Diana.

There are sensitivities all over the place.

[sp1814]

Mick-Talbot

The reason for the emphasis on African American kids is because gymnastics, like so many sports looks very white.

Just like when Eminem found success, suddenly white kids saw that they too could become rappers.

Unfortunately none had Eminem's talent. You really can't cut it as a streetwise homie when you come from Kidderminster.