A new wave of inclusion seems to be sweeping through the media.

Most recently, two Super Bowl ads, Coca Cola’s “#AmericaIsBeautiful” commercial (See America the Beautiful, Por Favor) and Cheerio’s bi-racial family ad  have created quite a debate about American identity.

A similar campaign by Axe - Make Love, Not War – seems to have gone under the radar, but raises the same important questions surrounding culture, religion, ethnicity, and inclusion.

The face of Axe’s campaign features a turbaned Sikh model kissing a woman on the New York City subway.  In the post-9/11 era, Sikhs have been needlessly and unfailingly persecuted because of their personal appearance and (incorrect) resemblance to the stereotype of a Muslim.  (See Miss America isn’t an American?)

This was no exception.

Axe was slammed on Twitter and Facebook for featuring a “terrorist,” “towel-head” and “Muslim” in their campaign. 

Thankfully, those who were more culturally competent came to Axe’s and the Sikh community’s defense, eager to enlighten others who were outraged as to why they shouldn’t be. 

It’s long been said that America is not so much a “melting pot,” but more of a “tossed salad.”

A melting pot implies conformity and assimilation, with cultural differences melting away.   The tossed salad analogy is perhaps more appropriate – it allows unique pieces of cultural heritage to remain visible and intact. 

Let’s start appreciating the croutons.