Maryland Lottery Commercial

[hbscott]

As I was getting ready for work this morning I noticed a commercial for the Maryland lottery. In this commercial two persons, one Caucasian male identified as a registered nurse and one African American female play a scratch card for instant cash. The African American female wins some money but the Caucasian male identified as a registered nurse loses.

The narrator then sarcastically says, "it is lucky for your patients that you are here" (implying that this nurse is either dangerous, incompetent and/or unlucky and that would be potentially harmful to patients).

It was obvious that this commercial was designed to get people to laugh but I fail to see the humor. Just like many African Americans who are offended by white entertainers in cosmetic "black face" lampooning their culture I grow weary of the persistent negative portrayal of male nurses in mass media.

Just a thought.

-HBS

[hbscott]

Originally posted by BlueKat

I think you're reading more into than there is.

I respectfully disagree. The influence of mass media is enormous (as evidenced by the billions of dollars spent on advertising). Nursing image and influence has been shaped by such forces and if we are to be proactive (not reactive) about such things then responding to these matters in a timely manner is important.

-HBS

[SmilingBluEyes]

Like I said..I did not see the commercial...and the initial description did NOT upset me.

I will not move and take action on something I know nothing of firsthand. What do I say? " a friend of a friend saw this and it upset him...yada yada"...not much punch to is, is all I am saying. NOT refuting what you saw.

Those offended, good for you taking action. But don't stomp on those of us who did not see it the same way, or have limited knowledge due to our not seeing the commercial.

have a good day now.

[hbscott]

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

Like I said..I did not see the commercial...and the initial description did NOT upset me.

I will not move and take action on something I know nothing of firsthand. What do I say? " a friend of a friend saw this and it upset him...yada yada"...not much punch to is, is all I am saying. NOT refuting what you saw.

Those offended, good for you taking action. But don't stomp on those of us who did not see it the same way, or have limited knowledge due to our not seeing the commercial.

have a good day now.

Didn't mean to "stomp" SmilingBluEyes (if that is your impression) but as I described in the initial review of the commercial it certainly was not a positive portrayal of a nurse (male or female). I of course took exceptional offence because it appears that MSLA interviewer was belittling the lottery loser a little bit more because he was a male nurse.

I am grateful that another contributor to this thread did see the commercial and was able to describe it more carefully. I would hope that my initial warning about the commercial brought some attention to bear on the matter and will result in a more positive outcome.

-HBS