WSJ:
Nike Inc. is yanking a U.S.A.-themed sneaker featuring an early American flag after NFL star-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick told the company it shouldn’t sell a shoe with a symbol that he and others consider offensive, according to people familiar with the matter.
The sneaker giant created the Air Max 1 USA in celebration of the July Fourth holiday, and it was slated to go on sale this week. The heel of the shoe featured a U.S. flag with 13 white stars in a circle, a design created during the American Revolution and commonly referred to as the Betsy Ross flag.
After shipping the shoes to retailers, Nike asked for them to be returned without explaining why, the people said. The shoes aren’t available on Nike’s own apps and websites.
“Nike has chosen not to release the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July as it featured the old version of the American flag,†a Nike spokeswoman said.
After images of the shoe were posted online, Mr. Kaepernick, a Nike endorser, reached out to company officials saying that he and others felt the Betsy Ross flag is an offensive symbol because of its connection to an era of slavery, the people said.
bob sykes
I do not object to Nike’s action, nor to Kaepernick’s part in it.
The American Flag, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, the Gettysburg Address, and the Pledge of Allegiance are the products of White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant men and reflect WASP values and hopes. They do not reflect the values and hopes of women, non-Anglo-Saxon whites, Catholics, Jews, Negros, Asians, Mexicans or any Others, and they actually exclude some, blacks for example.
As an Anglo-Saxon man, I celebrate the history and accomplishments of my people. I do not like it when Others appropriate my people’s symbols. Nike’s market is Negros and negrophiles. If they reject the Betsy Ross flag, that is not only fine with me, I actually prefer it.
Steverino
I’m glad I wear Reeboks, which I hope will produce US flag sneakers, stealing Nike’s market.
Seattle Sam
So, is it Nike’s position that anything that has a connection to an era of slavery should be avoided? Virtually every century prior to the 20th was connected to slavery in many areas of the world.
Mike-SMO
So arroganr kaepernick slights the people and culture that raised him after his birth family discarded him.
‘Sides, I was always told that the flag should never be an article of clothing except for a teene-weenie string bikini for which every male would salute.
Let Nike move their production to the re-education camps of the “Middle Kingdom” and they can take Kaepernick with them.
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