Advertising is a responsible task and if a brand anyhow makes people angry for its promotions the scene becomes very bad. This has been proved in a recent controversy Nike is involved in one of its advertisements.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” campaign, Nike featured Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL player and Americans have just gone mad about this. People are burning Nike products and expressing their hate on social media platforms from last few days. Here’s the ad we are talking about:
Now let us help you understand what this whole issue is about. Colin started kneeling in the 2016 NFL season during the American anthem. In a way, he was protesting against the atrocities committed by police against the people of his color. Also, he was seen sitting on his knee during the American anthem in many other games as well.
As a result of this, he was dropped from the squad and was not picked by other teams too since new guidelines were issued by the NFL against for those players who protest when the anthem is being played.
Also Read: 10 Interesting Facts About Nike That Will Amaze You
Due to this ad, the stock rate of Nike fell abruptly on Tuesday. Not only Nike featured Colin Kaepernick in the ad but also gave an indication of the footballer’s political stand as well with the tagline that read, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
This made Americans unhappy and they started protesting on social media under hashtag #JustBurnIt and #BoycottNike
Even President Donald Trump is not pleased with the campaign and he criticised Nike.
“I think it’s a terrible message that they’re sending and the purpose of them doing it, maybe there’s a reason for them doing it, but I think as far as sending a message, I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent,” Trump said in a recent interview.
Below are some reactions of others:
Returned my Nike shoes the other day in support of #BoycottNike . I ran into another veteran at the store that was buying some ASICS instead of @Nike . pic.twitter.com/TFal2kmM2k
— Dan Deem (@63deemons) September 7, 2018
Police officer buddy of mine sent me this picture! #boycottNike #Buy @newbalance pic.twitter.com/ENyKgoq8Fv
— ColumbiaRiverBeardCo (@ColumbiaBeard) September 7, 2018
Never again – not one more dime will ever be spent on this brand. No one in my family, regardless of age, will ever patronize Nike again. #boycottnike
— AeroNut (@av8or01) September 7, 2018
FVCK U NIKE THIS IS FOR SUPPORTING A MAN THAT DISRESPECTS OUR MEN IN BLUE #JustDolt #JustBurnIt pic.twitter.com/RuaGXYIUwR
— bobby boucher (@TreatTheFeet) September 4, 2018
People are posting #JustBurnIt. 😲https://t.co/9mFCMhyZq6 pic.twitter.com/0MSwJ35w4g
— Josh Sneaker (@JoshSneaker) September 4, 2018
Even Kaya Jones joined the act.
#JustBurnIt 🔥
To all the families who’ve lost or to all of you who have served I stand with you&I am grateful everyday for your sacrifice. I am one of the many who showed today that money is speech&they lost 3.75 billion in 24 hours.I’m done with @nike &apparently so is America pic.twitter.com/xrn25pSUcN— Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) September 5, 2018
What do you this about this whole scene? Let us know your views.