2017 has barely begun, but it's already been a rough year for many — with an immigration ban targeting people from certain countries and a wall being proposed between the United States and Mexico, it's often felt like diversity is being directly attacked. But these Super Bowl ads promoting diversity prove that most Americans still believe in fostering a diverse, empathetic country — and offer up a message of both welcoming and hope.
Some of the ads that pulled at heartstrings this year promoted diversity in several ways: they told the stories of immigrants, sang the American national anthem in multiple languages, and showed that the United States is made up of people from all backgrounds. In past years, the ads might simply be seen as heart-warming, family-centric commercials, but some saw them as political this year — and many people seemed to find them reassuring.
In case you missed the Super Bowl on Sunday — hopefully you still got to sample some chips and dips elsewhere — you can check out a few of the event's most uplifting ads online. The following Super Bowl commercials made a point of showcasing diversity and inclusion in their ads, and they were (mostly) greeted with praise from fans:
Coca-Cola's "America the Beautiful" Rerun
This year, Coca-Cola chose to rerun its 2014 ad, which featured people singing "America the Beautiful" in eight different languages, including Spanish, Keres, Tagalog, Senegalese, and Hebrew. According to SB Nation, Coca-Cola's original statement on the ad explained the meaning behind it:
The premise of ‘It’s Beautiful’ can be simply stated: America is beautiful and Coca-Cola is for everyone. It celebrates Coca-Cola moments among all Americans and features snapshots of American families. We believe it’s a powerful ad that promotes optimism, inclusion and celebrates humanity – values that are core to Coca-Cola.
Google Home
Google's Google Home commercial showcases people of all backgrounds coming home and sharing everyday moments with their family and friends. From the huge smiles on faces to the cheery tune that runs through it, it could easily make anyone feel at home.
Budweiser's "Born The Hard Way" Ad
Budweiser's "Born the Hard Way" ad tells the story of an immigrant (actually the story of one of Anheuser's founders) and makes it clear that the brewing company believes in welcoming people from all backgrounds and appreciating their journeys.
84 Lumber
84 Lumber's Super Bowl commercial follows the journey of a mom and a daughter who seem like they're on their way to a better life in a new country. It focuses on the duo's difficult trip and their love through it all.
If you're feeling down at all, give the commercials a watch and see if they can lift your spirits. They're a good reminder that — despite a lot of the headlines the world is seeing at the moment — most people believe in promoting diversity and inclusion.
