Pepsi has just released its commercial, starring Kendall Jenner and it's not exactly conveying the unifying message intended.
In the ad, featuring Skip Marley's "Lion" in the background, various people in the community stop in their tracks to join a protest. That includes Kendall, whose curiosity in the cause ceases her modeling duties.
The 21-year-old takes off her blonde wig and wipes off her lipstick before partaking in the march.
Kendall then grabs a can of Pepsi and steps in front of the line of policemen to hand over the can to a cop.
After one sip, the policeman smirks as the crowd cheers in the commercial.
Critics note that the image of Kendall standing in front of the policemen evokes the image of the Black Lives Matter demonstration with Ieshia Evans standing in front of the policemen.
The only problem is Ieshia was arrested for the cause, while Kendall does not encounter any repercussions.
Pepsi has since released a statement regarding the criticism:
“The creative showcases a moment of unity, and a point where multiple storylines converge in the final advert. It depicts various groups of people embracing a spontaneous moment, and showcasing Pepsi’s brand rallying cry to ‘Live For Now,’ in an exploration of what that truly means to live life unbounded, unfiltered and uninhibited.”
What do you think of Pepsi's ad? Do you think the commercial appropriates the resistance? Let us know.