The owner of a grocery store in Athens, Alabama called Phillip Stewart found himself in the thick of an argument after making a tough decision regarding two separate Pepsi brands. Stewart, owner of S&Z Grocery, decided to discontinue selling these products entirely due to the prominence of the NFL logo on the package of those specific items.
By posting on Facebook and sharing the information with his customers, Stewart notified them of his plans to take the Pepsi products off the shelves of his stores. Despite his stance, he made it apparent that he supported Pepsi as a corporation and the protest as a whole because he continued to sell its other products. His concern was solely focused on items with the NFL logo on them.
Different reactions from the general public were made in response to Stewart’s choice. Many people disapproved of him and thought that his actions were inappropriate or unnecessary. While others appreciated him for having the fortitude to stand out for what he believed in, others applauded him for being unafraid to do so. The statement sparked an online debate, and as a result, users commented online and shared the article on other social networking sites.
In the end, Stewart’s choice to prohibit the sale of Pepsi products with the NFL logo brought attention to the challenges associated with striking a balance between one’s personal convictions and one’s professional commitments. It highlighted the importance of people standing up for what they believe in despite the fact that doing so would put them in the spotlight or stir up controversy, despite the fact that there was disagreement among the general public over the matter.
