I watched the Pepsi commercial and I was more hurt about what people were saying than the actual commercial. However do not get me wrong I think that people have the right to be angry over the commercial but for me personally it was a bad ad that missed the mark.

The commercial minimizes the struggle and fight that many social justice movements in this era face. I get that Pepsi's job is to sell soda and at the end of the day they need to make money. However making a mockery of movements is not the way to go. This may have not been the intention yet it was the impact it left on some people. The commercial fails to show that protesting does not occur because both sides hate each other but because there is structural problems within society. Whether the protesters extend a hand or the police extends a hand -isms and social injustice will not simply end with either side offering of love and peace. That's what the handing of the Pepsi signified to me.

Kendall should have known better. She signed with the label to make money and she can cash in her paycheck. But maybe this was her way of wanting to reach out to millennials. She's not the end all be all of the problem she just happened to be the face of the ad. However that doesn't mean she should be dissolved of responsibility. I just think that a little leniency can be given.

Now what Pepsi did wrong for me at least is the fact that they exploited social justice movement and tried to spin it as a trend. It was their attempt to reach millenials but they missed the mark. Maybe they just didn't have enough of their target audience involved in the process and that's why it backfired? Maybe there's no such thing as bad press and they did it on purpose? I don't know. But I think that they got into their heads that if they appeal to something current then they can get millenials.

However, what they did is simply put elements together without developing it. They tried to make a pizza and put cheese, pepperoni and had the dough but they forgot to bake it. They talk about “living bolder” yet they weren't bold enough to delve deeper. The ad was so generic and nonspecific that it didn't resonate with anyone.

There have been inclusive commercials that worked at least for me. The 84 Lumber commercial the Cena commercial and a few others. I made a list in a previous article if anyone is interested in seeing them. Those worked because the companies took a stance. Pepsi simply said we know you are hurt and tried to get into the conversation without proper research. What are we hurt about? If we are so hurt, why is the entire protest a party? If we are going to have a protest scene at least recognize the hardships that both sides face if you don't want to take a stance. For we can't skip to being friendly if we don't address the problem? Because then that fake friendship can crumble from a single wave.

I am not a marketing specialist or anything and so don't put any credence in this. What they could have done if they really wanted to be part of the conversation is for starters find someone who actually believes in the social justice movement. They could have had a round table featuring its diverse cast but having each identify to a cause or group whether it be BLM, LGBT, Police Officer, and whatever else their hearts desire then placed a Pepsi in the middle and talk about joining the conversation. The song could play in the background and the people should show a variety of expression from I-can't-believe-this to ok-I-can-sort-of-see-that.

This shows social interaction without minimizing the struggle. It shows that there are many views and elements that yes America isn't perfect but you have a voice to join the conversation. The door could be open where people can come in with Pepsi. It's a commercial that recognizes fighting for change is hard but we have to keep trying and talking because if we don't then we will lose our way.

I don't know about everyone else but what really triggered me was the police line. I feel like if it was a different setting that did not minimize what these social justice movements go through, it would have been fine. To recap the ad had good sentiment but went about it the wrong way perhaps.