retro racism swings American

I mentioned the La Choy jingle to ARSP, who is too young to remember the ads from the 70s, or perhaps just grew up where this sort of unconsciously anti-Asian BS wasn't advertised.

Remember the Calgon laundry detergent ads with the Chinese laundry? "Ancient Chinese secret huh?" It's creepy to watch these today. I had no concept then, but find them offensive now.



Ouch.

"La Choy makes Chinese food swing American." Some grad student needs to write a paper one what different fronts that advertising campaign was communicating.



I always remembered it being "ring American," but it's "swing." Is that a swingers reference to the time?

I don't know, but can you imagine the shitstorm if this aired today?



This however is more interesting than racist: Jim Henson as a dragon endorsing the canned La Choy chow mein.



And can we take a moment for the stockboy uniform? It's hard to believe that back they had to wear dress shirts and bow ties.

Then again, when I was a bagger at our family grocery store I had to wear a shirt and tie. Maybe it's just the bow tie and apron that gets me.