SO OFTEN in life some lame copycat idea seeps in through the cracks, has its 15 minutes of fame, then thankfully disappears to product purgatory, never to be seen again. No one ever picked Gobots over Transformers. "Saved by the Bell: The New Class" is a joke compared to Zack and Kelly's crew. And Furby was never nearly as lovable as Tickle Me Elmo. Unfortunately, Pepsi has thrived in the shadow of Coke for one long century, and now has found a home at the University.
It doesn't have to be this way. The time has come. The scene has been set and the reasons are undeniable. It's time for the students of the University to rise up and let our voices be heard. Pepsi must go.
Picture this serene setting. Eighteen thousand students return to Charlottesville after a relaxing summer break. You can feel the excitement in the air as we touch up our schedules, set up our new residences, and look forward to seeing old friends. Then, upon our first trek to a dining facility, vending machine or convenience store, that bliss abruptly was crushed like an empty soda can. Our precious Coke products had disappeared, and in their place lay weak and pathetic excuses for "satisfying" beverages.
Over the summer, the University's 10-year contract with Coke ended, and after weighing different bids, the University decided to make the switch to Pepsi, because the change would generate a $3.5 million revenue. Now 70 percent of all beverages on Grounds are churned out by Pepsi Co. ("Pepsi pops into dining halls", The Cavailer Daily, Aug. 30). Our Sprite has been downsized to Seven Up, Mug has taken the bite out of Barq's, and Mountain Dew has done in Mellow Yellow. Thinking only of making money, the University failed to contemplate what a strong effect this switch would have.
The beverages that are served around Grounds really do have a deep impact on the well being of students. Small details like enjoying a superior beverage with lunch do make a difference in a student's day. Imagine the uproar should the University suddenly switch from emergency phones to emergency telegraphs. The latter product simply does not measure up to the superiority of the former, and the ensuing adjustment in the way students go through their daily lives would be too much for many to handle.
Except for the amazing Dr Pepper, all other Pepsi products are miniscule in quality when compared to beverages bottled by the Coca-Cola Company. Breakfast is the most important - and best tasting - meal of the day at our dining halls. But now it's impossible to wash down those eggs with the blah fruit "juice" choices of Citrus Hill. This colored water is no match for the Minute Maid of old. And it's hard to imagine anything better after a tough run than gulping down some carbonated All Sport. Forget Powerade, athletic drinks with bubbles are the key to post-work out satisfaction.
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This is a call to arms. Every year, around the end of April, students start regretting that there weren't enough protests and student activism throughout the year. This can change. We need to get out there and show the University that they made a bad decision in their switch to Pepsi. It's time to protest Pepsi. The protest wouldn't be too hard to enact. Not everyone will have to attend a rally, start dressing like a hippy, or pass out propaganda. All anyone has to do is perform the simple act of not drinking Pepsi products.
The boycott needs to begin now. Every time we go to a dining hall, a football game or the Pav, we will no longer settle for a Pepsi product. We will fill our cups with water, milk or tea, and then raise those plastic cups high into the air to show our pride in Coca-Cola products. If no one drinks the Pepsi, then Pepsi Co. won't make a profit at the University. The fountains will lay idle while we take action. Eventually, the University will have no choice but to revert to our old favorite, dear Coca-Cola. It can, and will be done. But only if we all take the stand against inferior Pepsi.
Alas, there is no joy of cola drinking anymore at the University, but this can be changed. Pour out the Pepsi and force the change back to Coke.
(Brandon Almond is a Cavalier Daily associate editor.)
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