Comments on: Can a Burger King ad really perpetuate the stigma of mental illness?

By: Iris Tramm

Iris Tramm — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:07:10 +0000

Mental illness is a physical disability and, by law, a protected class. If this ad made “fun” of racial or ethnic minorities, or amputees, or cancer patients there would be outrage, and rightfully so. There is no “appropriate” or “harmless” way to make fun of a physical disability, and it is particularly offensive when done to sell a discretionary consumer product like fast food hamburgers. This is the most insidious aspect of discrimination. Not only are those with mental illnesses stigmatized ALREADY for having a mental illness, but then further lambasted for pointing out such continued stigmatization as an “overreaction”. Frankly, I’m appalled at the complacency demonstrated by the commenters there. I would expect more compassion and education in those who read and write a mental health blog associated with such a respected institution.

By: Cathi

Cathi — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:25:02 +0000

Well, what if mentally retarded people somehow made it into the ad, or black people, or some other group? It’s just not appropriate.
I think all ads should just involve fat balding white guys making fun of themselves — let’s see how often that happens. Do you think they’ll have ads about their crotch rot or bad breath or geezer leaks or STDs?

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:16:52 +0000

One has to wonder how effective this commericial has been at selling hamburgers. Do we really live in a culture that is moved toward any action by such “humorous”, hyperbolic, sterotypical slapstick? Sadly, I suspect it works. Don’t worry about Burger King or all the others like them, worry about the culture. Work to change that and ads this will take care of themself.

By: Tina

Tina — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:06:42 +0000

I agree whole heartedly with Cody. We can often times be overly sensitive and see problems where they don’t exist, and I think that’s the case here. I always try to stop and think: if this is the worst thing that happens to me today, then am I okay. In this case, if the worst thing that happens to me today is that an intentionally silly Burger King character makes an equally as silly comment about being “crazy,” then I am going to be okay.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:57:26 +0000

I appreciate what was written here. Lets not worry about a little light hearted humor used to sell a hamburger. Those having issue with such humor have lost their focus and need to look back where they are spending their time and energy. Mental health is an important issue, I am certain there are more important issues to focus on.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:04:48 +0000

I recall the inital article about this “outrage” a few weeks ago and thinking “Really?! This is what we’re going to rant about this week?”. When I saw the title of this blog post, I thought it was going to be more of the same. Upon further reading, I was relieved that I wasn’t the only one to think that the ad was being taken way too seriously. There are so many more things to rant about regarding stigma of mental illness and offensive ads that exisit – this was hardlly worthy of the attention it received. I think a “lighten up, people!” is in order. Thanks for the blog post!

By: Mary Rothwell

Mary Rothwell — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:38:25 +0000

I feel that we should not endorce any company that uses stigmas to sell a product, no matter who it is of. Though it may seem harmless, and outrageous, it is still a put down. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. People that have these issues can’t stand up for themselves and speak up. Someone needs to. Its just like the ‘little’ jabs at women, different races, and anyone that is different for anyone else, you cannot have these type of jokes or jabs or sayings and it not put the intended parties down. Not only will it put them down in their hearts and minds, but what about the children that see it and they are not grown up enough to know that it is supposed to be harmless? This and any reference to these labels have a huge snowball effect, whether or not it is supposed to be ‘harmless’.

By: David

David — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:23:02 +0000

Honestly, I didn’t think twice about the content of the commercial when I saw it. In fact, I barely remembered the ad when I read about the “controversy” in the Washington Post. But thanks to the over reaction, I will remember if for sure.

In today’s society where we all seem to be so extremely sensitive and offended at the drop of a hat, it all serves to desensitize people to real outrages.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:08:52 +0000

Does PETA get offended when Road Runner and Wilie E Coyote commit animal on animal violence?????

Does the National Association of Cat Lovers cry foul whenever Jerry outsmarts Tom or Tweety brutalizes Sylvester????

Do all British People get offended by Austin Powers???

Does everybody get offended by Family Guy??

In a world where so many need so much to even take a Burger King commerical as a literal interpretation of mental illness is just…..well…..crazy……..