Play 'Find the White Guy' - The Five Basic Rules

Anita Manbadd - Student Boycott Coordinator

It's said that commercial advertising is the most accurate barometer of social attitude trends. So the next time you're waiting for 'The View' to resume, play along in an exercise to read that barometer in the context of eliminating white males from mainstream culture. A seemingly lofty goal indeed, but playing this game will prove eye-opening to the progress made to date. Following are the top five basic rules for acceptable advertising featuring a white guy. Watch a few commercials and keep score - It's fun!

(Exclude spots that promote other media platforms and apply to commercial product ads only)

5) He is promoting a trending social media issue.

This has long been a popular ploy for a white guy to get prominent face time, to the point it is becoming blase and insincere. However, the effectiveness of a classic rouse cannot be ignored. 1 Point.

4) He is outside.

The outdoors remains a popular backdrop for white guys in advertising, particularly in spots for trucks, tools and lawn equipment. The acceptability of this is partially justified, since associating women or minorities with these products may violate stubbornly held chivalrous values, or invoke stereotypes of slavery and forced labor. 2 Points.

3) He is socially undesireable.

Whether the greedy CEO of MegaPizzaCorp, an awkward stuffed shirt nerd-dad, or just a general buffoon, a repugnant or degrading white guy role is increasingly popular amongst marketing firms. This strategy has the two pronged effect of creating memorable product association and molding the desired white guy image. 4 Points.

2) He is in a mixed-race relationship.

This is by far the fastest growing white guy sponsorship opprtunity, due to the wide spectrum of advertisers turning to this genre. The immense household products market has particularly embraced this scripting, virtually eliminating same-race couples from its placement strategies. 6 Points.

1) He is gay.

The 21st century has ushered in a wave of gay white guy popularity so intense that some have found it a viable career springboard. Such is the lure that some fading celebrities have feigned homosexuality to resurrect thier popularity (I'm talking to you, Timberlake). So it's no suprise this continues to be the top acceptable white guy portrayal in advertising. 7 Points. (And, yes, a gay white guy in a mixed-race relationship scores 13 points!)

Of course, if you observe a commercial that scores a zero, please alert the Student Boycott Office so that sponsor can be added to our database. Have fun!