Does Aflac spot reinforce stereotypes?

Let me first say I’m all in favor of casting people of different races and abilities in advertising. But I also think that in doing so, we have to be aware of the subtext—however unintended—we might be making in putting people from certain ethnic groups in certain situations. Take, for instance, the most recent ad for Aflac. In the spot, an African-American man relaxes happily in a hammock as he talks to the duck about how having Aflac has made life easier since he’s “been hurt and missing work.”