https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCEm21aTh5Q
Pepsi is under fire for a new ad starring Kendall Jenner as a model who leaves her day job to join a resistance protest only to offer a soda to a hot cop.
The commercial immediately rubbed many people the wrong way, with critics saying that Pepsi co-opted protests as a fun, trendy activity, instead of something people participate in to draw attention to social and political issues that, for some, are matters of live-or-death importance.
The ad may have been inspired by an iconic photo of Black Lives Matter protester Ieshia Evans being arrested in front of police line in Baton Rouge, according to BI:
https://twitter.com/jayasax/status/849373756099264512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fpepsis-controversial-kendall-jenner-ad-2017-4
Reactions have not been muted:
If I had carried Pepsi I guess I never would've gotten arrested. Who knew?
— deray (@deray) April 5, 2017
The Kendall Jenner Pepsi fiasco is a perfect example of what happens when there's no black people in the room when decisions are being made.
— Travon Free (@Travon) April 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/Kelsiekinss/status/849382343508987905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2017%2F04%2F05%2Fkendall-jenners-pepsi-ad-causes-twitter-storm-labeled-disrespectful.html
https://twitter.com/wydaubri/status/849375885878853634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fpepsis-controversial-kendall-jenner-ad-2017-4
https://twitter.com/kashanacauley/status/849376144868749314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fpepsis-controversial-kendall-jenner-ad-2017-4
https://twitter.com/bobvulfov/status/849380441861783552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fpepsis-controversial-kendall-jenner-ad-2017-4
Pepsi’s statement on the matter: “This is a global ad that reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony, and we think that’s an important message to convey.”
