Are you familiar with the "Booty Chirp" Ad Campaign?

[Delano]

Here's something REALLY offensive IMO: Boost Mobile's "Where You At?" series of poster ads. If you live here in SF, you'll see them all around, there are verious versions, but the most obnoxious one is with an ugly black man photographed with a fisheye lens with his mouth all distorted in a look reminiscent of Flavor Flav with the caption "For that late night Booty Chirp" SUPPOSEDLY the ad was discontinued after many protested it, but I still see it all over. I HATE THIS AD. Unfortunately I couldn't find a pic.

Here's the story and link.

http://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community_voices/story/4711997p-476...

Ad stereotyped black community

By DAMON SMOTHERS, Bakersfield

On behalf of the Concerned Nonpartisan Black American Voters, Concerned Nonpartisan Black American Voters, it greatly saddens me to write in response to a billboard located at Bernard Street and Alta Vista Drive that depicted a black male grinning sheepishly with a cell phone in his hand. Next to him a caption reads, "For that late night booty chirp, where you at?"

Boost Mobile was the culprit targeting the black community with this despicable and tasteless marketing strategy. As black Americans, we are offended by this now-abandoned billboard because it not only depicted this individual as a buffoon, but it also degraded all women -- and especially black women -- which is something members of this community will not tolerate.

Black fathers and mothers do not raise their young girls to grow up to become sexual conquests who merely jump in bed when called or "chirped" by a man. Black parents have a far greater sense of purpose for their children.

In addition, black fathers and mothers do not tolerate their sons disrespecting any female, emotionally or physically. This billboard did nothing but aid in stereotyping the black male and female in ways that hurt us as individuals and collectively as a group.

The community of Bakersfield is one that promotes tolerance of others' ideas and expressions, but does not support personal gain to the detriment of others.

Members of CNBAV have risen as members of this community in speaking out against this advertisement with these five talking points:

* We are offended by marketing strategies that degrade our youth, our women and all individuals -- particularly those of African descent.

* We are offended by marketing strategies that promote inappropriate behaviors that harm positive family values.

* We are offended by marketing strategies that disrespect our young men and women by sexualizing their ads while targeting youth.

* We are offended by marketing strategies that promote teen promiscuity.

Damon Smothers of Bakersfield is chairman of the Concerned Nonpartisan Black American Voters. Community Voices is an expanded commentary that may contain up to 500 words. The Californian reserves the right to reprint commentaries in all formats, including on its Web page.

[Delano]

1. Ummm... I guess not...

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