Is a new Coke ad racist? That's what Arab-American groups are calling it. A Coca-Cola Super Bowl ad that shows an Arab walking through the desert with a camel is offensive and they're asking the company not to run the ad on game day.
According to Reuters, Coca-Cola released a snippet of one of their commercials last week which shows an Arab in the desert. He comes across cowboys, Las Vegas showgirls and other characters race by him towards a huge bottle of Coke.
The ad is interactive as viewers can vote who they want to win the race online, but theyre is no option to vote for the Arab man. Many are calling the ad racist and are asking the company to edit the ad.
"Why is it that Arabs are always shown as either oil-rich sheiks, terrorists, or belly dancers?" Warren David, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) told Reuters.
"The Coke commercial for the Super Ball is racist, portraying Arabs as backward and foolish Camel Jockeys, and they have no chance to win in the world," Imam Ali Siddiqui, president of the Muslim Institute for Interfaith Studies said.
"What message is Coke sending with this?" asked Abed Ayoub, ADC's director of legal and policy affairs. "By not including the Arab in the race, it is clear that the Arab is held to a different standard when compared to the other characters in the commercial," he said.
CBS, which is airing the Super Bowl would not comment on the issue, but Coke released a statement, saying the characters in the ad were simply based off of famous past movies.
"Coca-Cola is an inclusive brand enjoyed by all demographics," Coca-Cola spokeswoman Lauren Thompson told Reuters. "We illustrate our core values, from fun and refreshment to happiness, inspiration and optimism across all of our marketing communications."
ADC is planning to contact the company to try to fix the issue.
"I want to know why this happened and how can we fix this if possible before Sunday," Ayoub said. "Coke should understand and respect their consumers and have a better understanding of the market they are sharing."
ADC is known for protesting big companies for racist material. In 1992, the group claimed that the song lyrics in Disney's "Aladdin" were racist.
Ayoub pointed out that the Arab community is a large supported or Coke. Coke has a large market in the Middle East many convenience stores, which are owned by Arab-Americans sell the soda.
Here is the preview of the ad in question:
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