“It’s Beautiful” Coke commercial attempted to present diversity
A Coca-Cola Super Bowl commercial, which featured a version of “America the Beautiful” in seven languages, angered some viewers during Sunday’s game.
Along with the multilingual song interpretation, the minute-long “It’s Beautiful” ad presented often controversial subjects, including immigration reform and acceptance of same-sex relationships.
Despite Coke’s attempts to highlight the U.S.’ diversity, radio host Glenn Beck said Monday that the ad promoted segregation rather than a united nation.
“It’s in your face, and if you don’t like it, if you’re offended by it, you’re a racist,” Beck said. “If you do like it, you’re for immigration. You’re for progress. That’s all this is: to divide people.”
Fox News contributor Todd Starnes felt similarly, saying “Couldn’t make out that song they were singing. I only speak English,” in one of several Twitter posts.
Other disgruntled viewers threatened to boycott Coke products as a result of the commercial.
On the flipside, various spectators appreciated the soda company’s interpretation of a U.S. melting pot.
In response to a scene showing two roller-skating fathers with their daughter, GLAAD considered this a “step forward for the advertising industry,” as this was the first Super Bowl ad to include a gay family.
Reflecting on the entire Coke commercial, Paul Whitefield wrote in the Los Angeles Times Monday, “We’re not being overrun by hordes of Spanish speakers. Just like always, we’re growing a new crop of Americans. They are enriching the country. They are working hard, paying taxes. And they will create future Nobel Prize winners and future presidents and future titans of industry. In short, they will make America beautiful.”
Check out the Coke commercial here.
