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Nike backs down after Kaepernick objects to shoe with slavery-era U.S. flag on it
CBC News ^ | 07/02/2019 | CBC News

Posted on 07/02/2019 10:00:10 PM PDT by mkleesma

Nike is pulling a tennis shoe adorned with a Betsy Ross flag image after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick complained to the shoemaker about the racist undertones of the design, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The heel-area back of the shoe features has the early design of the U.S. flag, which has 13 white stars in a circle on it and is named after Ross, a Philadelphia upholsterer and flag-maker who died in 1836.

Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the Journal said Kaepernick, a Nike endorser, told the company he and others found the flag symbol offensive because of its connection to slavery.

According to the Smithsonian museum, the flag was used from 1777 to 1795, well before slavery was abolished in 1865. Though less well known than the Confederate flag, the Betsy Ross flag has been also been used by white supremacist groups.

The Air Max 1 USA shoe had already been sent to retailers to go on sale this week for the July 4 Independence Day holiday, the Journal said.

But after the former quarterback and current Nike pitchman spoke with the company, Nike changed its mind.

(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 1moretime; alreadypostedalot; asshole; colin; kapermick; oldnews; slavery; weknow
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Comment #21 Removed by Moderator

To: mkleesma

Hey Nike! Kaepernick thinks the flag is racist? Guess what? Millions of us (who used to buy your products) KNOW Kaepernick is racist, and now we know YOU ARE TOO!


22 posted on 07/03/2019 2:21:03 AM PDT by motor_racer (If you don't read the news, you are uninformed. If you read the news, you are misinformed.)
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To: mkleesma

The Betsy Ross flag has nothing to do with slavery. These people are idiots.


23 posted on 07/03/2019 2:23:08 AM PDT by Vision (Obama corrupted, sought to weaken and fundamentally change America; he didn't plan on being stopped.)
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To: Yossarian

hell that’s ra cist to call the betsy flag racist..you know we should start accusing them of being racist day in day day out until it sticks, racist black population seeks overthrow of hard working americans for reparations most do not deserve..

hell with it, let’s rock


24 posted on 07/03/2019 3:15:19 AM PDT by aces (and)
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To: rintintin
Kaepernick supports slave wages.

correction:

Kaepernick gets rich from slave wages.

25 posted on 07/03/2019 3:32:06 AM PDT by Covenantor (https://www. are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern. " Chesterton)
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To: Covenantor

BET is racist but I don’t see the “has been” complaining about that. Oprah has made some over the top racist comments yet she gets a pass. B Hussein and his faux wife have made incredibly anti white, racist comments (typical white person) but those get ignored.

And I have NEVER heard of ANY black person returning to their roots to live in Africa. Because it’s a $HITHOLE continent


26 posted on 07/03/2019 4:02:20 AM PDT by Josa
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To: mkleesma
No matter to me. I eschew Nike (New Balance for me) and loathe all sports, professional and otherwise.

(And somebody will likely point out that New Balance is run by fags and have a special rainbow edition shoe. What're you gonna do?)

27 posted on 07/03/2019 4:05:06 AM PDT by LouAvul
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To: mkleesma

Images of Nike slave labor sweat shops

https://twitter.com/g_easton819/status/1146335944246607873


28 posted on 07/03/2019 4:06:21 AM PDT by combat_boots (God bless Israel and all who protect and defend her! Merry Christmas! In God We Trust!)
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To: combat_boots

https://www.globalslaveryindex.org/2018/data/maps/#prevalence


29 posted on 07/03/2019 4:09:57 AM PDT by combat_boots (God bless Israel and all who protect and defend her! Merry Christmas! In God We Trust!)
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To: mkleesma
Previously.

30 posted on 07/03/2019 4:20:30 AM PDT by TangoLimaSierra (To the Left, The truth is Right Wing Extremism.)
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To: mkleesma
Notice to all Race Baiting Poverty Pimps:

OK, you win. We realize that no matter what we do or say, no matter how much money we give you, America will never be "Not Racist" enough for you.

Oh, look, there's no waiting at the Kenyan Airlines desk...

31 posted on 07/03/2019 4:23:10 AM PDT by Feckless (The US Gubbmint / This Tagline CENSORED by FR \ IrOnic, ain't it?)
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To: Yossarian

Nike and Kapernick are wrong about the history of the Betsy Ross Flag.
It is the symbol of rebellion against oppression.
It was adopted by the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War for Independence from the oppressive actions of the British.
We should NOT allow ourselves to be held hostage to few bad people who try to hijack our history.
Kaepernick is ignorant of American history and Nike is complicate.
They both must be reminded that they owe their freedom and success to those who sacrificed and fought for freedom under that flag.
No nation on earth spends more time in self-examination and constant attempts to improve the lives of its citizens then the USA.
Happy Fourth of July!!!!


32 posted on 07/03/2019 4:58:27 AM PDT by ozdragon
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To: ozdragon

Nine Line has gotten in the action

https://www.ninelineapparel.com/search?q=betsy+ross


33 posted on 07/03/2019 5:02:17 AM PDT by combat_boots (God bless Israel and all who protect and defend her! Merry Christmas! In God We Trust!)
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The swoosh offends me.

Haven’t worn swoosh clothing or used swoosh gear since the early ‘80s


34 posted on 07/03/2019 5:28:43 AM PDT by Clutch Martin (The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right.)
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To: mkleesma

Nike is an African company


35 posted on 07/03/2019 5:31:16 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. N.C. +12)There were Democrat espionage operations on Republican candidates)
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To: mkleesma

This is easy to fix. Don’t buy any Nike products.


36 posted on 07/03/2019 6:08:08 AM PDT by abbastanza
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To: mkleesma

It was all marketing, all along. They sold some for an exorbitant price to “collectors” (who collects sneakers?), and now they will be available to all, due to “demand”.


37 posted on 07/03/2019 6:27:02 AM PDT by bk1000 (I stand with Trump)
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To: mkleesma

No more Nike. Will try Brooks or some other alternative.

Is Tiger Woods still associated with Nike? I can’t imagine Woods would stick around with this going on.


38 posted on 07/03/2019 7:11:02 AM PDT by MichaelCorleone (Jesus Christ is not a religion. He's the Truth.)
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To: mkleesma

The country's under attack. Please make a big, visible flag."

"No. That would be racist."

39 posted on 07/03/2019 7:12:29 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it. --Douglas MacArthur)
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To: Yossarian

Uh, not it has not been used by those groups.


40 posted on 07/03/2019 7:15:14 AM PDT by KC_Conspirator
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