Today’s “Something to Think About” may get me in hot water, but here goes.
There is an advertisement running on Topeka television stations sponsored by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that has me confused. The ad is obviously designed to educate and motivate minority Kansans to get vaccinated against Covid 19.
That goal – motivating minority Kansans to get vaccinated is a worthwhile effort as in April the Kansas Health Foundation released data indicating white Kansans were being vaccinated at a 1.5 times higher rate than black Kansans.
Now back to the ad that has me upset. I’m not sure why it is set in a barbershop? There are half a dozen well-dressed young African Americans – all in their twenties if I had to guess. There was also an older black lady who was identified as a Ph.D. in the Health field.
The older lady asks the group “How many Kansans do you think have been vaccinated for Covid?
One of the young men says “I don’t know maybe 5, 6, 7. 8 thousand?”
The learned lady of course tells the group the answer is “1.7 million Kansans have been vaccinated! And goes on to say something like “If you are waiting to get vaccinated – the wait is over!”
I have two problems with the spot.
First, the guess of 5, 6, 7, 8 thousand is ridiculous and makes the group of black kids look really uninformed. I challenge you to find Kansas kids between 20 and 30 years of age who’d make such a low guess.
Secondly, why is the group only African Americans? Granted minorities are lagging behind in being vaccinated but this ad stereotypes black kids as uninformed on this topic.
I think that’s not accurate and very misleading.
Do you agree with me? It is, at least “Something to Think About,”
I’m Steve Sauder
