A Coca-Cola Co. advertisement that aired during the Super Bowl struck a few chords, not all of them pretty.
The commercial that aired Sunday features an ensemble of Americans from different cultural backgrounds singing "America the Beautiful" in various languages. The song was sung in English, Tagalog, Spanish, Hebrew, Hindi, Keres and Senegalese French. The commercial also featured a same-sex family.
Almost instantly, detractors and supporters of the ad took to the web to voice their opinion.
On the critical side, people complained that the song should only be sung in English, while those who liked the commercial embraced its multicultural bent.
Conservative former U.S. congressman Allen West lamented the inclusion of other languages, calling it "truly disturbing."
Glenn Beck, a controversial right-wing political commentator, said the commercial was meant to "divide us, politically."
Others took to social media to vent their outrage, most insisting that the song should only be sung in English and adding the hash tag #Boycott Coke.
But those who liked the commercial hailed its message of inclusion and diversity.
Katie Bayne, president of Coca-Cola North America, said the company was happy the ad got people "talking and thinking about what it means to be proud to be American."
The commercial that aired Sunday features an ensemble of Americans from different cultural backgrounds singing "America the Beautiful" in various languages. The song was sung in English, Tagalog, Spanish, Hebrew, Hindi, Keres and Senegalese French. The commercial also featured a same-sex family.
Almost instantly, detractors and supporters of the ad took to the web to voice their opinion.
On the critical side, people complained that the song should only be sung in English, while those who liked the commercial embraced its multicultural bent.
Conservative former U.S. congressman Allen West lamented the inclusion of other languages, calling it "truly disturbing."
Glenn Beck, a controversial right-wing political commentator, said the commercial was meant to "divide us, politically."
Others took to social media to vent their outrage, most insisting that the song should only be sung in English and adding the hash tag #Boycott Coke.
But those who liked the commercial hailed its message of inclusion and diversity.
Katie Bayne, president of Coca-Cola North America, said the company was happy the ad got people "talking and thinking about what it means to be proud to be American."