Cingular Removes Racist Ringtone

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Ring ring! Who's there? Cultural insensitivity, that's who.

Ring ring! Who’s there? Cultural insensitivity, that’s who.

Cingular pulled a ringtone from its offerings yesterday due to its “blatantly offensive” nature. Reportedly, the ringtone started with a siren and then a southern male drawled, “This is la Migra,” slang for Border Patrol.

“Por favor, put the oranges down and step away from the cell phone. I repeat-o, put the oranges down and step away from the telephone-o. I’m deporting you back home-o,” continued the voice.

The ringtone was developed by Barrior Mobile, owned by Lagardere Active North American, a U.S. division of a French media company.

Guess your neck can get red in the French Riveria, too.

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