Fact Check: the Truth Behind the Viral 'Try to Be Less White' Coca-Cola Can Photos
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
Q1: Did Coca-Cola ever manufacture a can with the phrase "Try to be less white"?
A1: No. Coca-Cola has never produced, designed, or sold any retail beverage can featuring that phrase. All photos displaying that packaging are digital alterations created with graphics editing tools.
Q2: Did Coca-Cola employees actually see slides telling them to "be less white"?
A2: Yes. Those slides were part of an external third-party course by Robin DiAngelo hosted on LinkedIn Learning. The module was available inside the company's enterprise portal for optional employee development, though Coca-Cola clarified it was never mandatory corporate policy.
Q3: Why did Coca-Cola once make legitimate all-white cans?
A3: In late 2011, the company released a limited-edition white can in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund to support polar bear habitat conservation. The promotion featured seasonal illustrations and was unrelated to diversity programs or modern internet memes.
Q4: What actions did the company take after the seminar leaked?
A4: Coca-Cola publicly disavowed the specific course content, reiterated its commitment to broader inclusion standards, and coordinated with LinkedIn Learning to remove the module from the platform entirely.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
