Posted in: NFL, Sports, Super Bowl, TV | Tagged: , , , , ,


I Have a Dream… That Chrysler Actually Listened to MLK's Speech Before Using it in an Ad

During the second quarter of Super Bowl LII on NBC, Fiat Chrysler aired a Dodge commercial using a speech of ardent anti-capitalist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoken 50 years ago on this day, February 4th. The speech is called the "Drum Major Instinct," given exactly two months before Dr. King was killed in Memphis, Tennessee.

The irony is that Dr. King was largely against capitalism as a system. Here are some quotes from Dr. King if you want to know some of what he said. More to the point, Drum Major Instinct actually references Chrysler by name — and not in a flattering way.

Many people on Twitter have already spoken out on the ad:

Here's the really interesting part: "The Drum Major's Instinct" actually speaks out against the message of the advertisement by calling out Chrysler specifically.

"Do you ever see people buy cars that they can't even begin to buy in terms of their income? (Amen) [laughter] You've seen people riding around in Cadillacs and Chryslers who don't earn enough to have a good T-Model Ford. (Make it plain) But it feeds a repressed ego."

Feeds a repressed ego, indeed.

This is a hilarious oversight on the part of Fiat Chrysler. They use a sermon from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to sell their cars that calls them out for feeding destructive instincts in the populace.

It's gauche beyond belief that Fiat Chrysler thought it a good idea to use a speech from the late Dr. King to begin with. However, given that this has inevitably drawn more attention to a speech that denounces Chrysler as a product, it does feel nice that the late Dr. King gets the last laugh.

Read the full text of "The Drum Major Instinct" when you get the chance. The man was known as a great orator, among a great many other things, for a good reason.


Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!

Joshua DavisonAbout Joshua Davison

Josh is a longtime super hero comic fan and an aspiring comic book and fiction writer himself. He also trades in videogames, Star Wars, and Magic: The Gathering, and he is also a budding film buff. He's always been a huge nerd, and he hopes to contribute something of worth to the wider geek culture conversation. He is also happy to announce that he is the new Reviews Editor for Bleeding Cool. Follow on Twitter @joshdavisonbolt.
Comments will load 20 seconds after page. Click here to load them now.