Nike Nixes 'Betsy Ross Flag' Shoe After Kaepernick Intervenes

[brycejones]

Isn't this a violation of the flag code? I'm not 100% on the code section, but doesn't it require that the flag not be used for merchandising and on clothing etc. Shoes would be a good example since they get stepped on. shouldn't there be some patriotic outrage over the flag code violations?

The flag code only matters when dirty hippies are being disrespectful.

 

[BoomerD]

The flag code only matters when dirty hippies are being disrespectful.

The flag code doesn't carry the weight of actual law...If it did, maybe something could be done about the stupid rednecks who drive around with an American flag( or more than one) mounted in the bed of their truck, getting ripped to threads. IMO, that's more disrespectful of the flag than burning it in protest or sewing it onto a pair of shoes...

But...how long before someone shoots Krapernick? (or at least attempts to) I certainly won't be sad if it happens.

FWIW, I don't like or wear Nike shoes. They don't fit my Flintstone feet...

 

[Puffnstuff]

This is just utterly stupid! As a manufacturer, Nike can put whatever flag they deem fit on their products and you as the consumer can either buy it or not. People used to hang people of color with rope but I don't see anyone banning rope anywhere so go figure.

 

[nakedfrog]

Isn't this a violation of the flag code? I'm not 100% on the code section, but doesn't it require that the flag not be used for merchandising and on clothing etc. Shoes would be a good example since they get stepped on. shouldn't there be some patriotic outrage over the flag code violations?

Yes, it does, never quite understood why all these "true patriots" don't care about that.

 

[senseamp]

I think Nike is over-reacting, it seems like the American Nazi party did not specifically use that particular flag, they just used it same as regular US flag when wrapping themselves in American history, like modern day Republicans do.

That said, I find it hilarious that people who are supposedly boycotting Nike already are upset that it won't be releasing a certain sneaker design.

 

[Stryke1983]

I don't see the big deal about using the flag, especially when there is no contextual link to the American Nazi Party and they weren't even a significant part of US history anyway. i think they are being over sensitive about this. But as a private business they are entitled to do it. Unsurprisingly though, the self proclaimed party of freedom manages to intervene to escalate the non-situation via abusing the use of taxpayer funding.

 

[senseamp]

I think their main thing is that black people were slaves when the nation used this flag. I sort of understand, but on the other hand, you can't change the fact that US Independence Day is about 4th of July 1776.
It's also been used at inaugurations, including Obama's and he didn't have a beef with it.

I think at some point, you have to pick your battles.

 

[Aikouka]

I am curious, how do we prevent them from co-opting a symbol? This information could have saved Pepe.

The problem is that we're far too quick to associate two distinct things. For example, what do Pepe the Frog and the far-right have in common? ...nothing. It's not like Pepe was a character that espoused far-right ideology in the comic. In fact, the artist tried to have his work removed from that infamous InfoWars poster. Of course, that entire brouhaha actually just made the entire situation worse as you give the Internet an inch and they'll take a few lightyears. So, it went from Pepe being used in a poster to having tons of negative imagery created by third parties including a Hiter-like version of him. It wasn't that the cartoon character was bad.. it's that it became too toxic. If you Googled "Pepe the Frog", you'd likely find plenty of information on the controversy prior to ever finding the cartoon. Likewise, if you search up the Betsy Ross flag, you'll likely find a lot more talk of the negative controversy. I'd be surprised if said controversy would've even been on the first page in a Google search results prior to this event.

It gets even more awkward. For example, someone said that the OK hand gesture (pointer and thumb form an 'O', and raise the remaining fingers) was related to neo-nazis and Blizzard banned its use from the Overwatch League. The problem is that if these public-facing companies do not deal with these situations, it's easy for detractors to spin up negative stories, and even if they're not true, it doesn't matter. It all boils down to that it becomes searchable on the Internet, and that's all it takes. Imagine if Blizzard received a headline like "Overwatch League Allows Neo-Nazi Symbology During Events". I don't think I need to say that's not exactly what you want going around about your sponsor-based organization. (Note that Blizzard also bans the use of Pepe emotes, which was actually used on Twitch prior to being used in the poster. It's my guess that the Twitch use is likely what popularized it enough to get into the poster in the first place.)

So, until we stop taking the most drastic route and cutting off a limb due to a paper cut, I don't think it will ever stop.

 

[BoomerD]

I think their main thing is that black people were slaves when the nation used this flag. I sort of understand, but on the other hand, you can't change the fact that US Independence Day is about 4th of July 1776.
It's also been used at inaugurations, including Obama's and he didn't have a beef with it.
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I think at some point, you have to pick your battles.

I think it's all about Krapernick keeping his face in the news...lest we forget what a worthless piece of shit he is..l

 

[glenn1]

I think it's all about Krapernick keeping his face in the news...lest we forget what a worthless piece of shit he is..l

I wouldn’t know Kaepernick from Adam and have zero issues with the politics he chooses to support. But holy shit I hope he’s spent his time out of the NFL learning to read defensive coverages and such because he might be the worst at it of all the pro QBs I’ve ever seen as a casual fan. He seems utterly incapable of making pre-snap reads and being able to adjust plays at the line of scrimmage.

 

[BoomerD]

I wouldn’t know Kaepernick from Adam and have zero issues with the politics he chooses to support. But holy shit I hope he’s spent his time out of the NFL learning to read defensive coverages and such because he might be the worst at it of all the pro QBs I’ve ever seen as a casual fan. He seems utterly incapable of making pre-snap reads and being able to adjust plays at the line of scrimmage.

My biggest problem with his non-play bullshit is the kneeling at the games. WAnt to protest cops killing blacks? Fine...do it out of the stadium, out of uniform, and on your own time. (Plus, as you mentioned, he really wasn't that damned good as a qb.)

 

[glenn1]

My biggest problem with his non-play bullshit is the kneeling at the games. WAnt to protest cops killing blacks? Fine...do it out of the stadium, out of uniform, and on your own time. (Plus, as you mentioned, he really wasn't that damned good as a qb.)

Just in case anyone doubted about my statement about him not being able to read defenses, take a look at this. He's the QB wearing white backed up to his own goal line who's going to completely ignore his TWO totally uncovered wide receivers (they're the ones at the top and bottom of the gif wildly waving their arms and jumping up and down saying "I"M OPEN") and instead of making a pass that a 9 year old could make to score a 99 yard TD, he obliviously hands off to his running back for a no-gain play.

 

[Lanyap]

Seems like a big NothingBaconCheeseBurger to me. Those shoes probably cost $20 to make and were going to sell for $200+. Nike is getting street cred for pulling the shoes.

 

[BoomerD]

Seems like a big NothingBaconCheeseBurger to me. Those shoes probably cost $20 to make and were going to sell for $200+. Nike is getting street cred for pulling the shoes.

Looks like the ones that were already released are selling for $2,000/pr in the secondary market.

 

[ondma]

By creating one?

And hiring Kapenick? Seems like the "kneel or dont" controversy is dying out, so Kapernick has to drum up something else to bring attention to himself.

 

[marve]

Any photoes ?

 

[pcgeek11]

I am curious, how do we prevent them from co-opting a symbol? This information could have saved Pepe.

One way is to not allow them to dictate what is good and what is bad. Pulling the shoes was and is a bad idea. It is like paying ransom, if you allow it more will come.

Nike failed and the Governor of AZ is right. I'll never buy another Nike Product.

 

[pcgeek11]

Isn't this a violation of the flag code? I'm not 100% on the code section, but doesn't it require that the flag not be used for merchandising and on clothing etc. Shoes would be a good example since they get stepped on. shouldn't there be some patriotic outrage over the flag code violations?

The flag has been worn on clothes all the time. Esp during the 1960s it was the thing. for a good while.

 

[fskimospy]

One way is to not allow them to dictate what is good and what is bad. Pulling the shoes was and is a bad idea. It is like paying ransom, if you allow it more will come.

Nike failed and the Governor of AZ is right. I'll never buy another Nike Product.

So in other words you support the government levying additional taxes on a corporation based on their political speech. Glad to know you’re such a big defender of the constitution, haha.

You are free to never buy another Nike product based on their political speech, that’s your choice. Arizona is not permitted to do that. If they attempt to do so they will be sued and they will lose.

Someday someone really needs to send the conservative movement to some civics classes.

 

[brycejones]

One way is to not allow them to dictate what is good and what is bad. Pulling the shoes was and is a bad idea. It is like paying ransom, if you allow it more will come.

Nike failed and the Governor of AZ is right. I'll never buy another Nike Product.

Nice to see AZ hasn't changed much since PE did the song "When I get to Arizona".

 

[UNCjigga]

I wonder if Herr Trump has managed to get his hands on a pair yet? I’m sure those kicks would be all the rage at his Reichsparteitag tomorrow.

 

[Atreus21]

Sorry, but when white supremacists co-opt a symbol, it's no longer a good idea to use it anymore. We all understand this when it comes to the swastika, so it shouldn't surprise anyone when the same paradigm applies to the confederate flag, pepe, and the Ross flag.

I hereby claim your avatar as a symbol of white supremacy.

 

[dank69]

I hereby claim your avatar as a symbol of white supremacy.

If it actually gets popular I guess I'll have to change it. It's nice you can be honest about your white supremacy though.

 

[DrunkenSano]

I definitely don't agree with Nike's decision and it sets a very dangerous precedence. It also gives the white supremacists another weapon, they can start using various symbols that are popular today to start holding them hostage.

 

[Veliko]

My biggest problem with his non-play bullshit is the kneeling at the games. WAnt to protest cops killing blacks? Fine...do it out of the stadium, out of uniform, and on your own time. (Plus, as you mentioned, he really wasn't that damned good as a qb.)

Right, because if those black guys have a problem with being shot by the cops they should perform all their uppity actions where sensitive types like you don't have to see it.