“African people are born to dance, Europeans - to sell flats”
This is the underlying message of a recent campaign promoted by Strutt & Parker using a poster image placed at a train station.
The advert which drew on racist stereotypes characterised African people as being naturally ‘born to dance’ whilst celebrating the image of a european male who was presented as the epitome of professionalism in the act of ‘sell[ing] flats’.
A spokesperson for Strutt & Parker told the publication, Property Industry Eye “Our campaign was well intended and represented the various talents of people working in Notting Hill… We are obviously very sensitive to the response of people and it was never our intention to offend anyone. As a result we immediately withdrew the campaign.”
This is not the first time the London district of Notting Hill has been involved in controversy of this type. During 1999, director Richard Curtis was accused of ‘ethnically cleansing’ the media image of the London borough in his film Notting Hill. The title featuring Hugh Grant portrayed a picture of a gentrified area where only Europeans existed onscreen and in the promotional material.
Every Bank Holiday August the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea facilitate the Notting Hill Carnival. It is an annual African Caribbean event organised by residents and local organisations that has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill since that since 1966.
Strutt & Parker say they “would like to apologise for any upset this may have caused to anyone who has been affected by this”
Images of up to 200 staff members on the ‘people’ page of the firm’s website appears to have been removed. This follows social media commenters complaining all the London staff profiles are European and criticising the firms diversity policy.
External Links
Strutt & Parker pulls advertising campaignUtterly moronic racist nonsense – advertising by Notting Hill estate agents Strutt & ParkerWill black peoples lives ever be as interesting as white peoples?The Notting Hill Race Riots, 1958Here to stay
This is the underlying message of a recent campaign promoted by Strutt & Parker using a poster image placed at a train station.
The advert which drew on racist stereotypes characterised African people as being naturally ‘born to dance’ whilst celebrating the image of a european male who was presented as the epitome of professionalism in the act of ‘sell[ing] flats’.
A spokesperson for Strutt & Parker told the publication, Property Industry Eye “Our campaign was well intended and represented the various talents of people working in Notting Hill… We are obviously very sensitive to the response of people and it was never our intention to offend anyone. As a result we immediately withdrew the campaign.”
Strutt Parker Staff: Diversity Issues?
Gentrification
This is not the first time the London district of Notting Hill has been involved in controversy of this type. During 1999, director Richard Curtis was accused of ‘ethnically cleansing’ the media image of the London borough in his film Notting Hill. The title featuring Hugh Grant portrayed a picture of a gentrified area where only Europeans existed onscreen and in the promotional material.Every Bank Holiday August the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea facilitate the Notting Hill Carnival. It is an annual African Caribbean event organised by residents and local organisations that has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill since that since 1966.
Strutt & Parker say they “would like to apologise for any upset this may have caused to anyone who has been affected by this”
Images of up to 200 staff members on the ‘people’ page of the firm’s website appears to have been removed. This follows social media commenters complaining all the London staff profiles are European and criticising the firms diversity policy.
Notting Hill Film (1986): A template for gentrification?
External Links
Strutt & Parker pulls advertising campaignUtterly moronic racist nonsense – advertising by Notting Hill estate agents Strutt & ParkerWill black peoples lives ever be as interesting as white peoples?The Notting Hill Race Riots, 1958Here to stay
Ligali is not responsible for the content of third party sites
Speak Out!
Does this advert promote racist stereotypes?Click here to speak out or read (2) comments about this article
The advert which drew on racist stereotypes characterised African people as being naturally ‘born to dance’ whilst celebrating the image of a european male who was presented as the epitome of professionalism
See Related:
Get involved and help change our world