Is Microsoft racist? No; though I imagine that between this latest controversy and the infamous "Monkey" incident of 1999, there are folks who have their doubts. After pulling a doctored image from their Polish website, Microsoft is apologizing for replacing a black man with a white man in their business ad. While there are those think the software giant is the second coming of Jim Crowe, let's get real. There aren't that many black people in Poland. In fact, blacks make up only a fraction of the 2.7% “other" according to the 2002 Census.
It makes little sense to market a product using representatives that are not part of the target demographic. There are exceptions of course. Athletes, musicians and film celebrities can get away with pawning products off virtually to any demographic. Did you see the Softbank cell phone commercial starring Brad Pitt and grand-champion sumo wrestler Musashimaru?
Target marketing is marketing a particular product to a particular demographic. You wouldn't see a Payless ad in Esquire Magazine would you? The reason why you won't see the ad is because the general consensus at Esquire is that readership doesn't shop at discount shoe chain, so why not fill the space with a product readers would buy, like Rolex. Does that mean Esquire hates poor people? No. It means that they will advertise according to their readership.
So for people looking to create a fire where there's no smoke, get a life. Find something more constructive to do with your time and leave Microsoft and their shitty photo editing job alone.
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