An advert for Pepsi featuring model Kendall Jenner handing a can of soda to a police officer at a peace protest has sparked a backlash online.
In the ad, Jenner is seen posing in a blonde wig at a photo shoot, while a peace protest marches by. She then ditches the wig, grabs a can of Pepsi and joins the protest. Jenner gets to the front and hands the can to a police officer, who drinks as the crowd cheers.
The description below the ad on Pepsi’s Global YouTube channel states: “A short film about the moments when we decide to let go, choose to act, follow our passion and nothing holds us back.”
https://youtu.be/DSSCjj8uCFg
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
People took to Twitter to comment, with comedian Travon Free saying: “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,” which has been retweeted more than 3,000 times.
https://twitter.com/Kelsiekinss/status/849382343508987905
Another tweeter wrote: “Can’t believe Kendall Jenner just solved institutionalized racism and oppression by giving a cop a Pepsi. Groundbreaking.”
Could you be any more blatant with the disrespect and appropriation of a movement, @pepsi? Is this a sick joke?! pic.twitter.com/8NS8ynJUdj
— Taryn Finley (@_TARYNitUP) April 4, 2017
The ad has also been compared with the image of Ieshia Evans who was arrested by police at a protest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2016. Taryn Finley wrote: “Could you be any more blatant with the disrespect and appropriation of a movement, @Pepsi? Is this a sick joke?!”
A Pepsi spokesperson said in an emailed statement: “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.”
