Boy how stupid does this company have to be. Nike (NKE) — the global footwear and apparel giant — has decided to halt the release of a sneaker featuring the 13-star version of the American flag made by Betsy Ross after criticism from NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Nike Headquarters = Portland Oregon Soccer world cup angry broad = University of Portland Antifa haters and attackers = Portland Oregon see a pattern here? .
The market as a whole has been great under Trump. He is a President for Americans. Tony Stark is not an American.
Nixes ‘Betsy Ross Flag’ Sneaker After Colin Kaepernick Intervenes Sneaker maker pulls Independence Day-themed shoe after NFL star raised concerns about symbolism The heel of Nike’s U.S.A.-themed sneaker features a U.S. flag with 13 white stars in a circle, a design commonly referred to as the Betsy Ross flag.PHOTO:NIKE By Khadeeja Safdarand Andrew Beaton Updated July 1, 2019 9:28 pm ET NikeInc.NKE-1.34%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. [Related: Arizona governor pulls state aid for Nike plant over controversy] 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. Some users on social media responded to posts about the shoe with similar concerns. Mr. Kaepernick declined to comment. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS Do you agree with Nike’s decision to stop selling a shoe featuring an early American flag? Join the conversation below. The design was created in the 1770s to represent the 13 original colonies, though there were many early versions of the America flag, according to the Smithsonian. In the 1790s, stars and bars were added to reflect the addition of Vermont and Kentucky as states. U.S. flag designs continued to change as states were admitted to the union until the 50th star, for Hawaii, was added in 1960. In 2016,the superintendent of a Michigan school district apologizedafter students waved the Betsy Ross flag at a high-school football game, saying that for some it is a symbol of white supremacy and nationalism, according to Mlive.com, a local news outlet. While the flag’s use isn’t widespread, the local chapter of the NAACP said at the time that it has been appropriated by some extremist groups opposed to America’s increasing diversity. Mr. Kaepernick, 31 years old, last played in the National Football League in 2016, the season he began kneeling on the field during the national anthem to call attention to social injustices and racial inequality. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has gone unsigned since and, along with former teammate Eric Reid, in February settled collusion grievances that alleged the league and its teams conspired to keep them unsigned because of their outspoken political views. Thesettlement was for less than $10 million, The Wall Street Journal previously reported. 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, people familiar with the matter said. Last year, Nikemade Mr. Kaepernick the face of an advertising campaignwhile he was still engaged in that dispute with the league—a risky move given Nike’s role as one of the NFL’s biggest partners. The campaign generated a backlash among some consumers, who began torching Nike shoes and cutting its swoosh logo out of gear. The protests were countered by expressions of support for Nike. Since the ad was released, Nike has posted higher sales, boosted by strong demand in both the U.S. and China. In the fourth quarter, sales rose 4% to $10.18 billion. Its share price has climbed more than 15% so far this year. At least some of the USA-themed shoes have already made their way to sneaker enthusiasts. Versions of the Air Max 1 USA werechanging hands on sneaker-reselling site StockXfor as much as $500 on Monday, according to the site. After this Journal article was published, the price fluctuated, with one pair fetching as much $2,000 and another as little as $140. https://www.wsj.com/articles/nike-nixes-betsy-ross-flag-sneaker-after-colin-kaepernick-intervenes-11562024126
So now the entire history of our country is offensive because there were some slaves? What's next? Renaming Washington, DC?
One of the clown car candidates for president should promise to appoint Kaepernick to the federal judiciary if elected. Then he could issue his edicts directly, without having to go through Nike.