I just received an email from Allegro Medical, that sells medical equipment/supplies. It's for Father's Day and the email contains an ad with rows of pictures with descriptions above them, such as Fitness Dad with a guy holding up his muscled bicep. There is also Relax O Daddy, Sore Pa, Hot Pops, Snore Daddy and Father Sr. , among a few others. You can find a text link to this at their site.
The one that caught my eye in the ad I received which had pictures was Wobbly Pop with a picture of an older man on a walker. Wobbly Pop? Is that supposed to be funny? Does this go too far and cross the line from being funny to making fun of disability?
Should a company that sells products to people with disabilities put an ad like this out there that pokes fun at disability? Are they thinking about who is going to see it - or are they doing that because it's aimed at family members for Father's Day and not to folks with disabilities (they think)?
I think sometimes in this consumer-oriented world, companies forget that "wobbly pop" who gets the ad in his mailbox might choose to buy from another place next time.
I also think that humor about disability is contextual: often it's more accepted when it comes from a member of the community itself. Otherwise, it can be seen as inappropriate and experienced as derogatory. Marketers may not have this kind of sensitivity to consumers who have disabilities because we haven't been recognized as a market - yet. I think that's changing and speaking up about these issues counts.
What do you think of this kind of humor in ads for disability products?
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And while we're at it, what do you think of this comic book series about Helen Keller, who died 40 years ago today- that "cures" her with the aid of a fantastical device invented by Alexander Graham Bell (their language is restores her senses - ouch), then turns her into a Secret Service agent? In addition to that, she is given superhuman powers (of course) which come at a terrible price (of course).
What's it called? Helen Killer. And here's one review where the comments show why we should consider disability humor a serious topic for discussion.
2 comments:
In the most professional language I can muster, my opinion on the Helen Keller cartoon is: Yuck. What a rotten idea! May the creators reap the rewards of a bad investment.
And "wobbly pop"?! Where do these marketing people come from?! Even if a few (very few) elderly are willing to chuckle at the physical losses of aging, I can't imagine the multiples-of-dozens of relatives and professionals who love and work with older persons would find humor in that. I thought we lived in a pc climate...these two items are very disturbing to me.
thanks for your comments and input. I often wonder if people take the time to let companies know if they find their ads offensive - or not.
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