Nike is a large company, valued at over $130B. But they have one thing in mind—becoming a $150B company. They are not interested in doing what is right, only what makes them a higher profit margin. They are not patriotic, only chasing profits.
Last week, Nike unveiled a shoe to be released over the 4th of July. It was a patriotic themed shoe with the Betsy Ross inspired American flag emblazoned on the back of the shoe. Stars, stripes, and a circle of 13 stars, of the Colonial flag.
Washed out (not up, as he was never really that good) NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick communicated with Nike stating that the flag conjured up images of white supremacy and that he was totally against the marketing of such a shoe. Nike, sensing a marketing moment agreed, and caved in to his ridiculous charges of racism and pulled the shoe even after it had been shipped to many retailers, and ordered it be pulled.
The shoes, originally priced at about $120 (for a pair of sneakers that wear out just as fast as my $40 New Balance pair) now go on the black market for as much as $2500. Nike, also cleaned house with about an added company value of $3B because of the controversy.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/nike-nixes-betsy-ross-flag-sneaker-after-colin-kaepernick-intervenes-11562024126
Nike rakes in $3 billion after Colin Kaepernick calls foul on shoe
I’m sorry, a flag from 200 years ago is racist? That would mean the country has ALWAYS been racist. Yet somehow, the all powerful white man has let this clown escape and make millions through complaining, the courts, and company endorsements. We certainly aren’t racist towards HIM, now are we?
Just to add a little recent historical context to this mini-controversy, one has to remember that Obama used this same flag in his second inauguration ceremony.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/betsy-ross-flag-obama-inauguration
There were two of these on the back drop building. Also present were two 21-star flags, that were the standard about 1819. We’re still before the Civil War era.
I don’t remember hearing any complaints about using those flags from this has-been QB back then, or any of the current bitching 2020 Dem candidates.
I guess they just weren’t fully “woke” then, right? It couldn’t have anything to do with the fact that “their” President Obama was using them as convenient props.
Luckily, there are people like Joey Jones who see through the veneer of their social justice bullshit. Jones,, a double amputee, injured by an IED in Afghanistan in 2010 stated without fear that Kaepernick and his ilk “do not get to control the narrative” on symbols of patriotism and freedom. He had the Ross flag tattooed on his arm.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/retired-marine-joey-jones-nike-betsy-ross-tattoo
Good on him. And it looks good, too.
Kaepernick can suck it. Nike, too. I’ll never buy them again.