We've still got a long way to go

There is a commercial on the TV right now that bothers me. I think it is an abysmal statement of the attitute towards civil and human rights. The commercial sucks you in as Mr. Handsome Guy tells his date that he left "Rusty" at home alone. The date expresses concern, but then he tells her "Rusty" is wearing a shock collar. She looks relieved, but the first time viewer is appalled. One assumes his dog is tied up and getting electric shocks.

Then you see Rusty. He is a white, goofy-looking guy, with his date on the couch, and he is indeed wearing a shock collar that only activates when he reaches for a beer- the product this commercial is incidentaly selling. One gets the feeling that one is supposed to laugh that Rusty is willing to be shocked to enjoy this beer.

I can't laugh. I don't find shock collars funny on dogs or people, or anything else. What kind of a culture are we that we should find that funny? And why is it ok because he looks dorky and is white? If he was handsome, black, Asian, or Hispanic, or a woman, it would have never aired. And if he was middle eastern, I think there'd be even more of a war on our hands.

I don't expect to get answers. But I hope I am not the only one disturbed.