Microsoft Plays into Racial Politics in Advertising

Microsoft swapped out a black man’s head for a white man’s head because they felt the people of Poland would not be able to relate to a black person in a business meeting. I know that there aren’t a lot of Blacks in Poland, but that isn’t giving Polish people a lot of credit. They cite racism in Poland as the cause. Really. Perhaps it’s racism in the people making the creative decisions that is the cause? I suspect there’s no causal link between advertisers who dare to determine what people can and cannot imagine, and racism against blacks that is a mainstay in Poland. I guess the Microsoft folks never thought that this ad with a black person in it could send a message of equality. Instead they cater to the familiar — racism in advertising and society.