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The Nike boycott over Colin Kaepernick explained

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When Nike announced that Colin Kaepernick would be the face for the “Just Do It” campaign and he tweeted this picture:

To say it started a riot on social media would be an understatement, with people showing their blatant hatred towards the campaign. Saying they rather go shop from “Puma” or “Adidas.”

So, if you’re kind of hanging in the middle of everything, here’s the backstory. It all began in August 2016. Kaepernick is seen sitting during the national anthem before the 49ners preseason game.

After the game, he said, “I’m not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

Within weeks Kaepernick reveals that he had been receiving death threats for his protest. After the announcement Time magazine puts Kaepernick on his cover.

September of 2017, Donald Trump expresses his opinion on the August 2016 incident in a rally in Alabama.

Then the number of players that immediately join Kaepernick’s protest, skyrockets

Here we are today folks, Kaepernick is the face of Nike’s campaign. Some like it, others don’t. Though one thing is for sure, he believed in something and he sacrificed everything for it.

Nike’s decision has been heavily criticised by some customers who posted videos to social media of them burning and cutting up their Nike attire, with the hashtag #boycottNike trending around.

Though not all were mad while there was a rain of terror at one side. People were also showing support.

https://twitter.com/marcia_loverdi/status/1036943242317766657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1036943242317766657%7Ctwgr%5E383231323b626f6c6465725f6e6577735f616374696f6e&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F09%2F04%2Fus%2Fcolin-kaepernick-nike-sneakers-intl%2Findex.html

Serena Williams also showed her utmost support for the veteran quarter-back.

The Kaepernick campaign is a calculated risk, experts say. Why may you ask? Well, here are the core reasons:

  1. Nike has done its homework and knows its customer demographics, and thus believes a large majority of its core consumers will support its decision to utilize Kaepernick as a spokesperson.
  2. Nike is acutely aware of both the broader sports marketing environment that currently exists and the need to cater to millennial and Gen-Z consumers who want to align themselves with authentic and culturally mindful brands that aren’t afraid to take a stand — no matter how unpopular it may be to segments of the population.

Nike has made a smart move and from a business point of view, they know this will benefit them in the long term.

Knowing the internet, the memes were not far behind.

All in all, everything aside Nike choice to choose Kaepernick as a face of their 30th-anniversary campaign, is s step to something bigger. Kaepernick isn’t protesting against the flag. He isn’t protesting against the military. Kaepernick and others are standing up for equal rights. They want all men and women from all races to be treated equally and they know that until that happens The U.S has no chance of ever being truly great.

Nike happens to agree with that.

If that bothers you to the point that you want to boycott Nike, go ahead. That form of peaceful protest is certainly your right.

But it would appear that Nike sees a future in Kaepernick and what he stands for is to be respected and celebrated.

Just like John Carlos and Tommie Smith.

About Halima Umar

Halima Umar is a writer, visual art enthusiast and a has an adoration for sugary confections. She is also a firm supporter of the "Memes can end depression" movement. Follow her Instagram blog: @atrippypanda

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