Audi’s Superbowl advert reminds us that class is boss in America

Summary: This brilliant analysis of Audi’s advertisement in the Superbowl reminds us that class is the unspeakable but dominant force in American society. Black men don’t have “male privilege” while rotting in prison from unjust convictions for rape. White coal miners don’t have “white privilege” while coughing their lives away with Black Lung. Neither Left nor Right want you to know this. Popular media is our mirror, revealing these truths that we cannot directly face.  {Second of two posts today.}

“It’s all about power and the unassailable might of money.”
— The great 21st century industrialist E. P. Arnold Royalton, in Speed Racer (2008).

“The Real Message Behind Audi’s Super Bowl Ad Isn’t Exactly An Uplifting One“

Opening of an article by Jack Baruth at The Truth About Cars.

“The Internet is in the proverbial tizzy about Audi’s “feminist” Super Bowl advertisement, in which the automaker comes out in favor of equal pay for women.

“At first blush, the spot seems to be nothing but the usual corporate slacktivism, a feel-good fluff-vertorial making a “brave stand” in support of an issue that was decided long ago. I’m reminded of Joaquin Phoenix’s brilliant portrayal of Commodus in Gladiator, arriving in full armor as soon as he can do so without any risk. “Father, have I missed the battle?” Well, Audi, you’ve missed the war; if there’s a place in the United States where women are actually paid significantly less for doing the same job as men, it’s not evident from what I’m reading.

“After watching the one-minute advertisement carefully, however, I understood feminism, or equal pay, is the last thing Audi wants you to take away from it. The message is far subtler, and more powerful, than the dull recitation of the pseudo-progressive catechism droning on in the background. This spot is visual — and as you’ll see below, you can’t understand it until you watch it and see what it’s really telling you.

“Let me tell you up front: chances are you won’t like what Audi has to say. The scene is a “soapbox derby” race. Not the real Soapbox Derby; that’s a highly competitive event held on a nationwide basis involving both young boys and young girls almost equally. …”

See the full analysis here.
Don’t be satisfied to see only the surface of events.

For More Information

Here’s an aggressive take-down of the ad as false feminist propaganda: “A Super Bowl ad offends against the truth” by Dennis Prager at National Review. Also, Pager says “we need to stop the politicization of everything in America.”

If you liked this post, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. See all posts about social class, about class wars, and especially these…

1. Our future will be Jupiter Ascending, unless we make it Star Trek.
2. Back to the future in New America: our new class structure.
3. Complaints about air travel are the cries of a dying middle class.
4. When marriage disappears: rising inequality as the threat to the family.
5. Complaints about air travel are the cries of a dying middle class.
6. An anthropologist looks at America’s growing proletariat.