I believe that we as the masses have just learned to accept the stereotyping that advertising has utilized throughout the decades. Because we do not give the stereotyping much thought or analysis, we accept it as the norm. Only upon further examination and a second look do we realize that what is occurring may not be ethical, but even a wrongful discrimination that we willingly accept in our daily lives.
I personally feel a little strange when it is put into the terms of "racially stereotyping", but as an advertising major, it will be what my job depends on. When put into black and white terms as such, it elicits unfavorable feelings but advertising has used racial stereotyping for many decades now. I think it is okay to racially stereotype for advertising purposes as long as those racial characterizations are not abused or made fun of. Such an example would be targeting good food/good cooking with Italians, as that is not an offensive race characterization in terms of advertising.
Racism as whole without the intent of reaching out to a particular group is definitely not a thing of the past. Though the segregated restaurants, separated seatings, and separate fountains have long since disappeared, the feelings that fueled such action still persist. Advertising is okay and accepted without much thought because it aims to reach a wider audience without malicious intent but rather hopes of broadening a product's market, whereas racism alone targets hate towards a group of people because of their appearance or beliefs/race characterizations.
I believe that advertisers do have an ethical responsibility to make sure that the ads that they run and the people they attempt to target never feel awkward or uneasy in the way their particular race is portrayed. Sometimes people may feel racially targeted, but as I think it is okay as long as there are no negative aspects.
For example, the 2013 Superbowl Volkswagen Commercial conveys the message that Jamaicans are always happy.
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