So, apprently a Super Bowl 48 commercial is pissing people off...

[Alssadar]

As I said to one of my friends who said "That was a dumb commercial" (More likely out of jest, and the fact that it didn't suit the purpose that well--Coca Cola is an international Brand that receives attention not just as an American company).
"America is a melting pot, dumbfuck."

 

[DudeistBelieve]

Ya know in a way? I get it.

It be like trying to take all the french out of Quebec.

I'm from Quebec and I find that's a terrible example.

So it wouldn't change the whole feeling of the providence if the signs were both in French and English as opposed to just French?

Mind you my only knowledge of Quebec is from that episode of Parts Unknown

 

[Xan Krieger]

Couldn't understand half the lyrics, that's the problem with doing it in languages other than english. If you have one language that means everyone in the country will understand it. It's why I'm in favor of standardizing the national language, it helps make communication easier when everyone talks the same.

All this is ultimately irrelevant however because pepsi tastes better.

 

[Whiskey7]

I don't care what a person speaks in their house, to other members of their family, to others that speak that language, or speaking it in public. All I ever ask is here in the United States is that when they speak English to a fellow American who doesn't speak their first language. I understand keeping one's culture and that is fine but in other countries when becoming a citizen of that nation you have to speak it in a certain time frame. I just ask the for the same.

 

[Flutterguy]

Something irregular happens and all the unthinking folk freak out at the realization their world is changing. Nothing new.

This sort of thing also leads people to inflated value of self (ego) since they didn't get suckered in. Which is something equally sad to be suckered in to.

Best thing you can do is see it for what it is, a commercial, and it is sad to see how well it has worked.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Hey just be glad that they are complaining about just the language thing.

The commericial made history by being the first Superbowl Ad to show a gay family , and not a peep about that.

Also, the guy who ran the halftime show was a minority as well, not a peep about that as well. This is why I don't think this is as big of a deal as you are making it to be. Otherwise these are the most oddly selective racists ive ever seen.

Really?

huh, didn't notice the gay couple, but the Half Time Organizer going unnoticed doesn't surprise me, 'minority's' (we really need a better term, this one feels off for several reasons) hold all kinds of offices all over the country. So one running a Half Time show isn't that big a deal.

Even if I didn't watch it cause I didn't like ether act. I was there to watch the Bronco's lose not watch Bruno Mars and The Red Hot Chili Peppers

You want something unAmerican? How about that?


Now excuse me while I try to get away from the angry mob.

XD,

I approve of this, so very much.

 

[Something Amyss]

You know, I was studying for an exam last night and just happened to walk by the TV when that ad came on. I thought it was powerful, and touching. I also knew this would piss off a particular group of people.

Yeah, I don't have cable, so I didn't see it, but the moment I heard about it I knew there would be outraged. Whether it originated with the people organically or a certain news outlet manufactured the outraged. One way or another, it'd piss people off.

Regarding your earlier comment, I don't think anybody is required (or should be required) to learn english if they want to live in the US. I do however think it is nothing but beneficial for immigrants to learn it if they want to be successful. It can only help.

Indeed, but that can swing both ways. The guy who was complaining that he couldn't find anyone in Best Buy who speaks English, for example, was accusing other people of being lazy. If there are that man non-English speakers in his community, it would benefit him to learn their language as well.

I mean, I live in an area with a strong Deaf/Hard of Hearing community and I know enough ASL to get by if I have to. It's not great, but my hands are screwed up and the Deaf community have a tendency to mock the disabled anyway. I never bothered learning Spanish, but if there was a large Spanish-speaking community here I would probably do so. I live in what is (or at least was) the whitest state in the US-Vermont--and most of our immigrants are Asian. Unfortunately, there's no one Asian language, but I have picked up a few phrases in the languages native to China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Cambodia. Not much, but I was never a cunning linguist to begin with. Oh, I also know a few phrases in Hebrew, but that's not really a communication thing.

And yeah, I'm not expecting anyone to become fully fluent in every language, but putting all the burden on non-native speakers is just....Uggh.

 

[Zontar]

Ya know in a way? I get it.

It be like trying to take all the french out of Quebec.

I'm from Quebec and I find that's a terrible example.

So it wouldn't change the whole feeling of the providence if the signs were both in French and English as opposed to just French?

Mind you my only knowledge of Quebec is from that episode of Parts Unknown

Actually most signs are already in both langueges (mainly because 90% of signs have either numbers or names of places on them). The real issue here is protection of French, not the lack of others. Right now the real issue that's dividing us is the charter of values, and everyone knows that 1) that thing will never pass, and 2) it's just a distraction by the minority government for it to stall before the inevitable election which it is almost sertain to lose.

 

[Something Amyss]

What happened to the great melting pot?

It's a slogan, nothing more.

80% of the US speak English as the first language. It is the de facto national language whether legally recognized or not.

There's a saying, though it's a touch outdated: That and a quarter'll get you a cup of coffee. I suppose it's now more like "That and a sawbuck'll get you a cooffee-flavoured milkshake," but the point would be the same. The question becomes, so what?

Mind you my only knowledge of Quebec is from that episode of Parts Unknown

And that might be the problem.

 

[Blow_Pop]

I'm going to do my actual response to the topic first and then my quoting people

As an American, I am not offended or pissed off at the commercial. I like the commercial. Much as I hate American patriotism.

Is it pissing people off or is Faux news getting people all pissed off about it? There's a difference.

*ahem* I would like to direct your attention to these photos which I will nicely spoiler for everyone else and which will answer your question

Spoiler

Not to mention the comics on the coke page itself
And the coke search on twitter
Not to mention this page

America has always been a country of immigrants.

I thought that was our thing...

Hardly. That's much more Canada's thing.

America's "thing" according to the rest of the world is rednecks, which is why most aren't really surprised by this story.

I do have to say, though, it's delicious that it's being said to be "Unamerican" to sing the song in anything other than ENGLish, the language of ENGLand...

No...America is definitely a country of immigrants....well a country colonised by a bunch of immigrants to be fair. And the redneck thing is actually more of the South. It's a stereotype even in the U.S. There are various stereotypes depending on where in the U.S. you are talking about. And quite frankly, most of us are offended when someone calls us one of them.

Basically saying this is kind of the same as saying all of us in California are surfers who converse in Hollywood lingo and all have perfect tans and a shit ton of plastic surgery.....(which tbh, is more a L.A. thing particularly around Hollywood for the plastic surgery and the surfers live near the beaches so they can surf. And only about half the tans are fake tans either by salons or spray on. The other half are the people who like going to the beach or their backyards to tan) Majority of us though are regular people like everyone else. We work, we get paid, we come home, we do what needs to be done to live, we go to sleep, and then rinse, lather, repeat. The rednecks are the most vocal, yes. But they are definitely not the majority stereotype. Majority stereotype is ignorance and that is the only accurate stereotype of Americans. Sad to say. Or at least of what I have personally met.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

I applaud the commercial for celebrating the diversity of this country, something people take in wrong ways. I have my views on immigration, and how it should be handled. That system is broken, yes but it doesn't excuse people circumventing it but it also needs work to be more inclusive and more importantly vigilant and inquisitive without being exclusive. I do believe in the American Dream even though its been perverted by some, this country was supposed to be a place where anyone can succeed. Our diversity is what makes us strong, and despite our shady origins and horrible policies regarding immigrants and the native peoples alike, I still believe in the core. We can be a great country, built on people coming here to make a better life. It isn't easy, and nothing should be, and a lot of folk struggle.
Its not easy to break down cultural barriers, however. And xenophobia is NOT limited to the US. But even though there are a lot of elements of racism and such, the potential is still there. I believe in our potential and have hope and faith we can overcome the shortcomings of ALL humanity and make this country something to be proud of. I am saddened by the outcry of idiots, but then idiots are loud and obnoxious and good people aren't always as vocal. Why waste words on ignorance other than to express sadness that they're so close minded they'll never see the beauty of diversity?

 

[lacktheknack]

America has always been a country of immigrants.

I thought that was our thing...

Hardly. That's much more Canada's thing.

Nah bro, that's America's thing.

Canada's thing is obsessively comparing itself to the US because it has an identity crisis and doesn't know what it really is. Canadians can't tell you what it means to be Canadian!

Don't you mean "obsessively feeling superior to"? I think you mean "obsessively feeling superior to".

Also, Canadian identity isn't that hard to suss out. Your average Canadian is going to be more polite than normal (no, this really is a thing), is going to have a thing for hockey, and sit politically closer to America than Europe (although not as far right as America). The only thing constantly in flux about Canada is whether or not the avwrage citizen practices cultural traditions from their country of origin or not.

As a second-gen Canadian with very mixed roots, I see myself as a different person than the average American (albeit not that different).

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

well, my opinion is; those people need to stop taking themselves and their country so seriously. its a song

 

[Mr. Omega]

Honestly, the best part about this whole thing is that a lot of the people who are getting pissed off about this also think that America the Beautiful is our national anthem. For anyone who doesn't know, our national anthem is The Star Spangled Banner.

So these bigoted idiots calling a commercial unamerican are also showing just how little they know about America.

 

[BSebor3]

I feel that anybody who is legitimately offended by this is just pathetic.

Languages do not matter. At all. They're a way of expressing oneself and if you really think that it's wrong for some song to be sung in a different language then I don't even know what to say to you.

It reminds me of the outdated WW1-style hyper-militaristic patriotism. Which is just stupid.

 

[TehCookie]

My thoughts where it was a pretty shitty commercial. That in no way made me want to drink pop much less a specific kind. Not to mention during Superbowl time, that's suppose to have the best ads however that one put me to sleep.

Though I do find the some of haters hilarious, I've laugh out loud at some things they've said. Which I would repost but I doubt many others share me sense of humor.

 

[Angelblaze]

skip to 1:42, it just fits to well for you not to.


Seriously speaking - this is the most retarded stuff I've ever heard people getting mad about. Ever.

And please, when referring to people who are getting mad over this don't say 'Americans' - say 'idiots who just happen to inhabit the Americas'.

 

[teh_Canape]

America has always been a country of immigrants.

I thought that was our thing...

what american country isn't a potpourri of immigrants =P
hell, here in Argentina it's all germans, spaniards, portuguese and italians

OT:

Spoiler: let's not forget that the backlash also provided us with some real gems

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

A superbowl commercial has caused some outrage? Say it ain't so...

Meanwhile Coke are probably laughing stupid at the free publicity they're getting.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Honestly, the best part about this whole thing is that a lot of the people who are getting pissed off about this also think that America the Beautiful is our national anthem. For anyone who doesn't know, our national anthem is The Star Spangled Banner.

So these bigoted idiots calling a commercial unamerican are also showing just how little they know about America.

And god help those people if the ever find out The Star Spangled Banner wasn't penned by an American ....

Or that the monument that is considered 'the most American' is also foreign in origin ....