Oh my gosh... Television has decided to portray African American gentlemen as about the cutest, most lovable men ever!!!! These two commercials epitomize the affable adorable character the black man has become in television comedy and commercials. This guy began with Bill Cosby then got a little dumber and rougher with Bernie Mac but I've gotta say, I LOVE THIS GUY!! These commercials show you what (I guess) white people want to believe is the black "every man."
The first commercial is entitled, "Move-In day," and is the mini story of a dad dropping his daughter at college. He is befuddled, grouchy, not so sure about all of this. The women flit around him like butterflies. My favorite moment is when he notices his daughter giving some guy the eye so he turns around to size him up suspiciously. Amidst all of his dad-angst he sees a sign saying, "Relax, we're in charge - BMO Harris," or something like that, and he visibly relaxes.
You know this guy is doing okay, his daughter is carefree, loads of luggage, going to college, chatting on the cell phone, squealing and hugging her white roommate, so she is like any other middle class girl of any race. He is well groomed but not pompously well groomed, again just a regular guy like most of us. His feet are on the ground and he's sensible. He has to think about down to earth things like finances while the women get wrapped up in dorm room decor and silly romances. Still they make him look adorably and foolishly protective.
The second commercial entitled, "Cabin," depicts a slightly older dad. This time the more-adult children appear to be joining their parents for a visit in their country cabin. The kids arrive and during the welcoming conversation with Mom, Dad hears that the kids stopped by the house. Although they assure him that they've left the home in perfect condition, he mistrusts them, pulls out his phone then proceeds to walk through his automated system (from the rocker on the cabin porch) as we watch him repair various issues left undone by the careless and carefree adult children.
This dad is the next phase in the life of the last dad. He is enjoying the fruits of his hard long labor. He owns a cabin and a nice house. He can afford a security system and he needs it to protect all of these things he has worked so hard to provide for himself and his family. His family can be careless because, thanks to his long work days, careful budgeting, responsible behavior and realistic planning, he has done well for them.. Given them a home and yard in a good neighborhood, lessons, college, nice lives. They will never know the things he sacrificed. Now,however, it is time for him to live out his golden years doing the things he's dreamed of and he's not about to let an errant fire or a scruffy thief take any of that away from him! Thus, total control over the home from anywhere. We chuckle at his gruff insecurity and protectiveness but he is an absolutely adorable old dog.
Now, some people may find something to be offended at here...that perhaps these men are portrayed as dumb or stereotypical, overly cautious or even selfish, but they fare better than most white dads in household goods and food commercials. The white dads don't seem to be particularly loving. They come across as stupid while their stay-at-home wives are snarky know-it-alls who constantly show them up. They are unlovable losers with whom nobody could imagine sharing a life. Their African American counterparts, however, are portrayed as strong teddy bears who provide well and care deeply for their families. Score one for the underdog.
