Correction appended
Alumnus Noah Rothstein and his friend Brad Bosley’s Super Bowl ad, “Love Hurts,” ranked fourth on the USA TODAY ad meter Sunday. But the ad, which features an African-American couple squabbling over eating habits, has garnered more than just praise.
The end of the ad features the angry girlfriend throwing a Pepsi Max can at a Caucasian jogger her boyfriend is caught staring at.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, considers the ad “demeaning” especially in light of it being Africa-American history month. Author J.C. Davies also believes the ad perpetuates the “angry black woman” stereotype.
Pepsi has only congratulated its finalists on being a part of the Super Bowl’s airtime.
This article was updated on Feb. 11, 2011 to reflect the following:
The Hatchet incorrectly reported that the “Love Hurts” ad ranked first in the USA TODAY rankings and took home $1 million dollars.