Nike adverts capture sole of battle for race equality
MANY Americans began setting fire to their Nike trainers this week after the firm made gridiron star Colin Kaepernick the face of its new Just Do It drive.
The former NFL player has led the movement to kneel during the playing of the national anthem in protest over police brutality and racial inequality.
His stance motivated other athletes to follow suit leading to President Trump calling the players who “disrespect” the US flag “sons of bitches” and demanding they be sacked.
As a result, Kaepernick has become a pariah to
NFL team owners but a hero to millions who believe in his cause.
This week Nike unveiled the quarterback as the face of its 30th anniversary Just Do It campaign.
The adverts show him with the slogan: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
It led to an outpouring of support for Nike but also a fierce backlash among Trump’s supporters.
Many have posted videos of themselves destroying their trainers and clothing.
But like other civil rights campaigners, Kaepernick has drawn attention to the problem of continued racial injustice in the States.
He did so not to disrespect the American flag but to give meaning to the words of the preamble of the US Constitution – “in order to form a more perfect union”.
Protesters should look back at how fans boycotted Major League Baseball after Jackie Robinson broke the colour barrier.
Boycott Nike all you want but the only person who will be remembered by history is Colin Kaepernick.