What about the Kaepernick Nike ad?

[ellenrr]

When I heard there was big controversy, I thot the controversy was from people who detest Nike for enslaving their workers, etc...
And I asked myself - would I criticize Kaepernick, is he "selling out"?
And I argued back, he needs the $, he's been blackballed, and plus, Big Plus - he is bring his resistance to oppression to a HUGE audience.
So I went back and forth, and I thot that's what the much-talked-about controversy on social media was about.

!! come to find out-- no.
In fact, right-wingers are burning their $200. Nikes to protest Kaepernick.
That's the controversy - that Nike is selling their product using Kaepernick, no controversy about Nike's plantation model tho.....

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Remember this

The next time some worthless Republican ass wipe whines about Homeless Veterans. They could have given them those shoes.

[ellenrr]

2. As always when it comes to sports and social justice,

Dave Zirnin has the last word(s):
"All of that being said, this is a case more complicated than just calling out Nike for commodifying dissent. Kaepernick has spent the last two years being showered with hatred and death threats, vilified on social media and from the presidential bully pulpit. In the last year, he has given away over a million dollars of his own money. He has been unable to earn a living during the prime years of his career. It is a great thing that he is actually going to earn an income and receive funding for his activist works.

It is satisfying that after two years in the political wilderness, he is getting an outpouring of support from those defending an ad with a message that reinforces the power of political sacrifice. Nike is the official sponsor of the NFL, so this ad campaign is a thumb in the eye of every owner who has colluded against him. Imagine the first time this ad plays during the commercial of an NFL game. Jerry Jones’s head might explode clean off his body. So good for Colin Kaepernick.

But global, multibillion-dollar corporations that run an archipelago of sweatshops don’t underwrite rebellions. They co-opt and quash them. If anyone can navigate this snakepit, it is Colin Kaepernick, but it won’t be easy. The revolution will not be branded. We should be honest about that. The message of standing up to police violence and racial inequity shouldn’t end up in a swoosh-laded graveyard. That’s the risk that comes with this sponsorship. But if anyone has earned the right to take that risk, it’s Colin Kaepernick.

https://www.thenation.com/article/on-colin-kaepernicks-nike-ad-will-the-revolution-be-branded/

[hlthe2b]

4. Interesting... Yeah... I'm not willing to criticize Colin for Nike's issues.

Social justice issues abound. Using Nike to target at least some of them, may seem too pragmatic, but at least it is a step forward. Who then would be in a better position than Kaepernick to point the mirror back at Nike in the future? At least, I hope.

[jberryhill]

3. People are talking about an advertising campaign

Nike will make a lot of money. Workers in Asian sweatshops will be busy. Win!

[Tipperary]

5. Yeah, no one here cares either. Kaepernick is a hero here on du. Who cares if Nike misuses its

workers? And who cares that Kaepernick said Hillary and tRump were the same? And who cares he could not be bothered to even vote?