A Coke ad has been called racist after depicting an Arab-American in a way that critics have condemned as being "stereotypical." The new Coke commercial has been created for an advertising campaign for this year's Super Bowl, which takes place this weekend and is one of the most watched sporting events on TV each year.
(Photo: REUTERS / George Frey)Bottles of Coca-Cola are seen in a warehouse at the Swire Coca-Cola facility in Draper, Utah March 9, 2011.The advertisement though has proven controversial, and Coca Cola has now come under fire from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, which has condemned the commercial.
In the commercial an Arab-American man can be seen walking through the desert as he pulls along a camel next to him. The man continues along the sandy terrain until he finally comes across some cowboys as well as some Las Vegas showgirls.
However, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee have rebuked the commercial, saying it stereotypes Arabs and are calling for Coca Cola to amend the commercial before it airs during this year's Super Bowl event.
The committee is attempting to rally support and apply pressure on the drinks giant to make last minute adjustments.
"Why is it that Arabs are always shown as either oil-rich sheiks, terrorists, or belly dancers?" said Warren David, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, according to Reuters.
However, Coca Cola's ad is not the only one this year to stoke controversy.
German car manufacturer Volkswagen have also released a Super Bowl ad this year which has come under fire. The commercial is said to have cost $10 million and is expected to air on Feb. 3.
The Volkswagen ad features a white man who speaks with a strong Jamaican accent. as he progresses around the office where he works he shouts words of encouragement with a number of phrases generally associated with West Indians.
The man begins the ad saying, "No worries mon! Every-ting will be alright!"
While some viewers have said the ad was "funny," others have questioned whether it enforces stereotypes and have deemed it bordering on racist.
Here is a video of the controversial Coca Cola ad for this year's Super Bowl:
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