A Coca-Cola lover in a Pepsi world

Returning to campus for a new semester always comes with changes. Whether it’s a new paint job in the residence halls or a smoothie bar in Campion, these changes are usually for the better. The switch from Coca-Cola to Pepsi, however, is not one of these positive changes. 

Coke lovers have all faced the dilemma at a restaurant when you order a nice, cold glass of Coke only to be posed the daunting question “Is Pepsi okay?” As disappointing as this is, you shrug your shoulders with an apprehensive “Sure.” 

As a rare occurrence, this is simply a minor inconvenience, but you bounce back and move on with your life. However, when this is the only choice, it becomes something that can haunt you forever. 

Campion used to be a safe place, with the soft, red glow of the Coca-Cola machine. Now it’s a cold, stark blue. What used to be a rainbow of options, now resembles the remaining products on the shelves of convenience stores during the apocalypse. 

Where there was once Sprite, we now get Sierra Mist. Instead of Minute Maid, now  there’s Tropicana. Switching from Coke products to Pepsi products is like switching the characters at Disneyland with the knock off ones you see in Times Square. They’re similar, but something is just not right. 

This switch also comes a little too soon after the Kendall Jenner commercial that Pepsi released last year. You know, the one where she hands a cop a Pepsi and everyone celebrates together? After such a problematic ad, Pepsi isn’t a company I particularly want to support.

It’s just foolish to suggest that something as simple as a can of Pepsi can solve the world’s issues. Pepsi most certainly cannot solve St. Joe’s issues. I’d much rather enjoy a cola that’s offered by a polar bear or Santa Claus than by Kendall Jenner anyway.

So you know what St Joe’s? No, Pepsi is not okay.