Sony's new European PSP ads have stirred up controversy. Some claim the ads are racists, while other write them off as nothing of the sort. The campaign has pissed off the Silicon Valley Chapter of the NAACP. Chapter president Rick Callender says:

The days of blacks being portrayed in minstrel shows are long gone, and with good reason. The minstrel show was an awful chapter in history and this ad smacks of that age and time. It is even further unacceptable that some corporations still think it is okay to use racially charged media images. The latest Sony ad conjures up bad memories of when stereotypical and offensive images of people of color were accepted means of selling a product. Sony should immediately apologize and discontinue these archaic, advertising tactics.

Jumping on the bandwagon, California politician Leland Yee added:

I am deeply disappointed in Sony's senseless decision to publish this racially-charged advertisement. I can't begin to determine Sony's motivation but I believe this marketing strategy is unnecessary and is clearly offensive to many in our community.

And this is probably just the beginning. This is all very disappointing, and Sony should be ashamed. Not because the ads are racist or not, but the company should be ashamed that the gaming public is not talking about their products, but their ads. The PSP is a fancy, little machine, and that ceramic white portable is a slick device. Are they selling consumer controversy or consumer products? I'm confused, and so is Sony it seems. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [GamePolitics] Thanks, Jason!

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