Warning: adult/un -PC/Trigger-warning images featured are in no way elephant- or author-supported. They are for social commentary purposes only. 

“Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” ~ Albert Einstein

While we, as humans, still have a long way to go towards greater equality, these ads serve as fascinating reminders of how deeply pervasive certain modes of thinking can become—but also how things can shift.

They are also reminders of the extent to which ad agencies have perpetuated grossly inappropriate (if not downright evil) paradigms throughout the years.

Some were so over-the-top sexist I couldn’t help but laugh (kind of like the kind of reason why we love to watch Madmen):

 

 

 A few are just really weird (wtf?):

Then some that are blatantly racist (unbelievably awful):

It would be interesting to go forward in time and see a list of what current ads will be offensive/un-PC 50 to 100 years from now. Let’s hope we keep progressing away of such inequality and narrow-minded thinking.

The message is clear: always, always, always stay critical, question the status quo, and be mindful of what the ads are really saying… often the message is less about the product and more about us.

Check the rest out on Imgur.

Relephant Reads: 

Badvertising

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Images via Imgur