72 Ads From The Past That Would Be Banned Today

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“Those Japs are getting smarter…” – General Mills, Inc.

SeanBaby

Once again, another manufacturer and marketer of consumer products decided to make use of the war and racial stereotypes, representing the Japanese as evil villains who were “getting smarter.” Granted that the Japanese destroyed several ships and killed thousands of Americans at Pearl Harbor, but this ad that was meant to be funny comes across as racist, insulting, and offensive.

However, even though the Wheaties ad implies that the Japanese weren’t as intelligent and advanced as Americans, the comic strip showing that American soldiers can be easily lured with breakfast cereal didn’t really represent them as better than their adversaries. Even though the cereal is known as the “Breakfast of Champions” with a “flavor that lures you into second helpings,” showing that the Americans view it as a clever booby trap doesn’t exactly paint them in a positive (or intelligent and advanced) light.