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Cultural Stereotypes in Media – Is This Jamaican Accent Phony, Funny or Offensive?
Jamaican me crazy. Over the last few days, there has been a lot of talk in the mainstream media (and social media outlets) surrounding a particular advertisement slated to air during the largest viewed sporting event in America – The Super Bowl. The 60 second ad spot is from German auto-manufacturer, Volkswagen, and features an office worker attempting to spread cheer to his fellow colleagues during what appears to be a very low morale day at the office. Seems innocent enough. Right? Well he speaks with a very thick and noticeable accent to which one might respond, “Nothing wrong with that. Lots of people have accents”. It’s a fake ‘Jamaican’ accent,…