Football, especially the Super Bowl, is considered one of the shining jewels in the Americana pie. Like a slice of apple pie or a Little League baseball diamond, many consider the gathering in front of the TV every year to watch the top two teams battle it out on the gridiron a litmus test for Americanism.
I join my fellow Americans in this ritual, albeit more for the food and halftime performances. This year even the commercials were caught up in the American spirit. A beer supplier helped welcome a returning soldier to his small hometown. Truck commercials capitalized on American hardworking farmers. Even Coca-Cola, one of the most visible American exporters in the world, got in on the action.
This year Coca-Cola aired a commercial that featured “America the Beautiful” being sung in a variety of languages while playing footage of what is presumed to be a variety of Americans with some of America’s more iconic sights in the background.
While watching this commercial, I felt that familiar lump in my throat that is usually reserved for those videos of dogs seeing their soldier owners return home for the first time (you know those videos get you, too; admit it). I couldn’t agree more with Coke’s message. America is certainly beautiful, from sea to shining sea. And one of the most beautiful elements of America is the diverse people who call it home.
It was not until later, when I got on social media, that it even registered with me that some people would find the commercial offensive. To be honest, it is quite hard for me to comprehend that.
Perhaps, I’m reminded of my grandfather. A hardworking farmer, similar to those in the truck commercials, who worked in the fields every day to provide for his family and felt strongly about God, guns and all things American-made. However, he spoke little to no English.
Or maybe I’m reminded of a childhood friend. She immigrated to the United States from a Middle Eastern country with her family at an early age. English wasn’t spoken in their home, and her mom still wore the traditional dress of their religious sect. Becoming American citizens, however, was still very important to her family. And, yes, Coca-Cola was likely in their fridge.
To me, I just cannot see how any of those stories are less “American” than the next. I can’t grasp how any one segment of the commercial could be considered “un-American.” To me, people like my grandfather or my childhood friend are just as much a part of the brotherhood sung about in the song as those who were so quick to criticize.
Anna Rush is a law student from Hattiesburg. She graduated from Mississippi State in 2011.
