Ads should be more sensitive

Posted on by Letters

Did you notice in The Bywater advertisement on page 51 [April 9, Xpress] that the child looks terrified? I was appalled to see the picture of a very young child grabbed by a giant rabbit with sharp teeth.

This is wrong on so many levels. Are you aware that April is National Child Abuse Protection Month? I would like to see greater editorial awareness and sensitivity.

Patricia Darcy
Asheville

Editor’s response: Paid ads are largely the province of our advertisers. We don’t allow certain types of ads and certain content, such as nudity or vulgar language — but to a large degree our advertisers are responsible for their ads. In addition, in the case of this particular ad, the intent appears to have been humor rather than to be scary.

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One thought on “Ads should be more sensitive”

  1. giezentanner

    Really? A funny ad is now likened to child abuse? What we are doing is making our culture so sensitive to everything that soon we will not able to say anything to anyone for fear of backlash. I actually caught myself at dinner last night before telling a joke and decided not to and was like “Why am I censoring myself? I am a a funny guy. Comedy is to push envelopes and make people laugh and think.” I went ahead and told the joke, that was quite racy for my dining companions and received a unanimous fit of childish laughter and slight embarrassment. I won.

    The ad in question was excellent. I would think the hip person that would read the Mountain Xpress would catch the dark humor and not try to make a social commentary on something that was funny and, I think, quite witty. If the ad offends you then turn the page. If the show offends you then do not watch it. If you are against Gay Marriage do not marry my gay ass.

    Grow up SOCIETY! Get a back bone. Grow a set. Get over this watering down sensitive wimp state we are creating.

    Chuck Giezentanner

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