Generation of change

For decades Pepsi Cola has satisfied the taste buds of Americans of all ages.

In the last few months the company’s advertising campaigns have raced to catch up with the change President Barack Obama has promised.

Slogans of “Hope, Optimismmm, and Yes You Can” decorate metro stations and billboards across the country.

A new commercial highlights successive generations’ love of the soda and celebrates the unique aspects of each decade.

In the midst of Obama’s transition to office, Pepsi’s exclamation that, “Every generation refreshes the world-now it’s your turn,” seems much more than a simple soda advertisement.

The youth vote gained much attention during the campaign and Florida college student Dayna Firth was among young activists excited about the prospect of change.

Firth, who worked on Obama’s campaign since it began, said she was happy to be at the Inauguration of a leader who represented the youth better than previous presidents.

“He really understands us,” Firth said. “It’s empowering since youth have been behind this campaign so much and I think its empowering to know that the president the youth wanted to be elected got elected. That gives us hope that we do have a say.”

College students were among the many attempting to ensure a good view of the ceremony by arriving early.

Karime Rodriguez and Khan Moua, both Political Science majors from Minnesota, said they were first in line when they arrived at 2 a.m., but found themselves jostled toward the back by more aggressive latecomers.

Although baby-boomers Joseph and Aprell Joyce weren’t quite as ambitious as some members of the college crowd, they proved to be just as enthusiastic, still arriving well before dawn.

To guarantee that they would not miss the historic moment, the Maryland couple devised three different routes to get to the Capitol.

Joseph said he was happy to see people from many walks of life attend the ceremony because it represented what America is all about.

“We’re a melting pot and everyone came together in support of this candidate because of the ideas and the direction he’s promised to take the country in,” he said.

Aprell said she was excited to witness the event and feel the synergy of the crowd, adding that seeing everyone there to support the same cause was “a major accomplishment.”

But 85-year-old year old Lou Katz said he never expected to witness that accomplishment in his lifetime.

He attended his first inauguration because he said he wanted to see the first black president take office.

“This is the most exciting one (inauguration) to happen in my lifetime,” Katz said. “I think it means a lot of healing (for the country), telling people they have opportunities, it means a lot. It’s a very unifying experience.”

Katz, who came from San Diego, said he wasn’t about to let the cold weather dampen his experience.

“I love it, I’m freezing but I love it,” he said.

Even members of the younger generation didn’t expect to witness this historical event at such an early age.

Ernest Richardson, a 12-year-old from Houston, Texas, said he learned about the election in school and realized it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the inauguration.

“I never thought I would see Barack Obama become president,” Richardson said. “He opened up the pathway for other minorities.”

Despite differences in age and race, the atmosphere at the inaugural ceremony was not one of minorities and majorities, but of one nation, an idea carried over from Sunday’s “We Are One” Inauguration Concert.

Proving Pepsi and Obama’s new slogan, “All for One, One for All.”