[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 8, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PEPSI'S DEMEANING SUPER BOWL AD

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have a sense of humor and I 
believe in the First Amendment; and I truly believe that many Americans 
had a great time either participating at the Super Bowl or maybe 
fellowshipping with family members. It's a great opportunity to share 
information and to inspire.
  That is why I'm so disappointed with the Pepsi advertisement that 
showed a demeaning role for African American women, in an ad that 
showed a can being thrown and being utilized to wound someone else or 
hit someone else, and that individual fell to the ground.
  In this month of African American history where we're trying to 
celebrate what is good and great, it certainly seems ridiculous that 
Pepsi would utilize this kind of humor. It was not humorous. It was 
demeaning--an African American woman throwing something at an African 
American male and winding up hitting a Caucasian woman.
  I think that we can come together in a much better way, sell Pepsi, 
and as well talk about good nutrition. But, frankly, I consider this 
insulting, and so did many other women of all colors. It would be great 
to have a lot more women in ads at the Super Bowl and great to have 
more women involved, but it also would be great to have a sense of 
balance that will respect individuals for who they are and how they 
contribute--great women like the Honorable Barbara Jordan and the 
Honorable Shirley Chisholm. I think even though they probably had a 
great sense of humor, they would find this very offensive.

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