Yesterday evening, Nike announced their roll-out of the long
awaited 30-year "Just Do It" campaign. Athletes across the country
and across the globe set goals each day to be a Nike spokesperson - very few
ever get to share the glory of being at the pinnacle of their sport. Similar to
a Wheatie's athlete, the "face on the box" is an accomplishment to be
proud of - yet many are irate at Nike for choosing the controversial ex-NFL
quarterback and political figure, Colin Kaepernick.
Although Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since the end
of the 2016 football season, the QB has remained in the spotlight. Kaepernick
and his team of lawyers have speculated that the reason he isn't employed in
the NFL is because of his controversial kneeling campaign - thought by many to
be a political jab at the player's "taking a knee" during the
national anthem to protest police brutality in the U.S.. Regardless of whether
the action was collusion by NFL owners or simply an adept PR move, Kaepernick
is back in American thoughts with his signing-on with Nike as the "Just Do
It" centerpiece.
The highly provocative ad is a simple black-and-white still
photo of Kaepernick with the phrase "believe in something, even if it
means sacrificing everything".
Obviously, this advertisement has gone completely viral.
Earlier today, President Trump remarked "I think it's a terrible message
and a message that shouldn't be sent. There's no reason for it" adding
fuel to the mass media frenzy. People on Twitter are legitimately burning their
Nike gear, political pundits are sounding-off either for or against the ad,
even the PRESIDENT is commenting on this situation. Nike stock has fallen by
several points on the exchange today and several angry Twitter users are short
a few pairs of Nike socks, but the influence of mass media on political theater
is on show this week - more than ever.
I have always worn and supported Nike, but I must say that I don't agree with the advertisement that the company chose to use. Kneeling during the national anthem is in no way "sacrificing everything." I hope that Nike learned a lesson from the outrage that this caused across America.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Chelsea. The advertisement even displayed a child with no legs and Collin will exclaim that he is the equivalent, I mean he is the face of the campaign and all. Certainly not comparable at all. Collin grew up in a wealthy two parent household. He was never disadvantaged. Surely Nike can do as they wish, it is their right, but they are also losing support and so is the NFL. Collin and the other kneelers are disrespecting the military, the very same military that allows them to kneel in the first place.
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