New Snapple “Half & Half” Commercial Draws Criticism, But Is It Racist?

Friday Feb 17, 2012 – by Thembi Ford

A new Snapple commercial advertising their Diet Half & Half drink (half iced tea and half lemonade also known as an “Arnold Palmer”) has drawn numerous negative comments on its YouTube and Facebook pages, as well as at least a few letters to the company. The commercial features an Asian man and a black man arguing about which half of the beverage is better. As two white guys watch them fight, one declares that “when they’re blended so perfectly, who cares?”

The description doesn’t even sound as weird as the commercial actually is. Watch:

It’s tempting to look at this one as more corny than racist, but it’s hard to ignore the racial overtones in the concept and even those are confusing. The black guy is brown so he reps the tea half, but does so in a brown jockey outfit? The Asian guy is yellow so he reps the lemonade while wearing yellow and will ping-pong all in your face to prove his point? It makes the most immature amount of sense ever, especially since those of you who have had half & half know that there’s no sense in treating it as anything but a single beverage.

This commercial, especially the end where anyone willing to over-think for a few seconds can’t help but see two white men basking in some strange processed beverage white privilege, is yet another good example of what happens when there aren’t enough people of color involved in the creative process.

What do you think of this commercial?

Ms. Information says:

February 18, 2012 at 5:00 pm

I just don’t get how a team of people come together, create a concept, hire actors, camera men, watch it, re-watch it, edit it and no one around says “Guys this is a little racist or can be taken a certain way.” I just don’t believe it. Millions of dollars are poured into these things and NO ONE saw possible undertones? Right.

↑ Reply

alanc230 says:

February 19, 2012 at 12:12 pm

This is a very strange commercial. Does not make me want to buy the drink. Doesn’t Snapple have enough money to hire real creative talent who could make something memorable?

justcalmdown says:

February 21, 2012 at 11:16 am

so racist. i point to these other facts: 1) asian man is eating a triangular shaped food item, implying all asians just eat wontons; 2) two white guys watching the fight on the balcony, as if they’re in their ivory tower; 3) asian guy jumps on the black guy in the end, as if black peeps are held down by asians; 4) during the ping pong match, the asian is on the left side, implying all asians are leftist communists.

mike says:

February 25, 2012 at 10:03 am

the people that say racist things are not racist are always white people. they have no idea how much racist stuff goes on because they’re so insulated and safe in their “ivory towers”. they’re clueless.

Lele says:

February 22, 2012 at 6:59 am

Stop trying to find racism in EVERYTHING!!! There is nothing racist about this commercial. It is irritating me that people cannot find anything better to do then to “make up” racism where there is none. Grow up people!!!

DigitalToro says:

February 22, 2012 at 4:38 pm

Let’s just say it – This ad is racist – Undertones or overtones… it’s plain racist – pitting a black man vs asian man while white males watch in superiority. Was the ad agency blindfolded throughout the advertising process?? #snappleadvracistfail

J-monster2.8 says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:33 am

I think its racist because asians like tea and blacks r for lemonade so they switched them

Mina says:

February 24, 2012 at 5:25 pm

I knew people were going to say it was racist the minute the camera zooms into the two white men drinking the beverages as if to shake their heads at the minorities debating over the lemonade and tea. As if going those crazy minorities. Not to mention, there’s also women rooting for the two lemonade and tea guys which makes them minorities as well.

LaLA says:

February 26, 2012 at 12:11 am

Crazily enough I didn’t really notice it until it was brought up, but now I definitely see it. Not surprised though, I have a friend who works in advertising, which he claims is the most racist industry on the planet. Things that are said in those planning sessions would make your hair stand on end.

hoopie says:

March 10, 2012 at 10:16 am

Nothing racist about it, its got your black man, your Asian man and white men all coming together and having fun. If YOU think its racist then YOUR a RACIST! ha.

Gosnell Richardson says:

May 12, 2012 at 11:53 am

I don’t see how some one interjects race into this. Frankly, the drink sucks and I hate it.