Nike recalls trainers. So is the Betsy Ross flag racist?

[Goonie]

Nike pulls sneaker after Kaepernick objection, prompting Republican fury

So because White supremacists have used one of the earliest US flags, does that make it racist?

Got to say on that basis both the union Jack and the England flag would have to be abandoned.

 

[bhsmte]

Nike pulls sneaker after Kaepernick objection, prompting Republican fury

So because White supremacists have used one of the earliest US flags, does that make it racist?

Got to say on that basis both the union Jack and the England flag would have to be abandoned.

To some people, everything is racist.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

If Kaepernick complains, Nike listens. It's a silly argument that apparently, whiners are going to always win.

 

[Goonie]

If Kaepernick complains, Nike listens. It's a silly argument that apparently, whiners are going to always win.

Or those Nike have a financial interest in appeasing. In this case the face of their most recent advertising campaign.

 

[SummerMadness]

Or those Nike have a financial interest in appeasing. In this case the face of their most recent advertising campaign.

Considering their shares are up 15% on the year and the company has become very profitable since starting the campaign with Kaep, it's understandable that they'll listen to him, whether right or wrong about the flag. The reactionary conservative response is interesting though, especially a member of the legislature looking to use government authority to punish and influence the company.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Nike pulls sneaker after Kaepernick objection, prompting Republican fury

So because White supremacists have used one of the earliest US flags, does that make it racist?

Got to say on that basis both the union Jack and the England flag would have to be abandoned.

I wasn't even aware that the Betsy Ross flag was being appropriated by racists.

Maybe I'm just really out of the loop, but I'm uncomfortable with granting extremists all power when it comes to symbols. There are certain symbols which are intrinsically connected to awful ideas. It's basically impossible, at this point in history, to divorce the swastika away from its Nazi identification, even though the symbol has a much longer, older, and diverse history as something completely different--and is still used in parts of the world for its older meaning--but in the West it's basically not possibly to do this.

But is this really the case of the Betsy Ross? That this flag has entered into public consciousness as a symbol for hate and white supremacy? I don't see how that could be the case. Unless I'm just that out of the loop and ignorant.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Rubiks]

Why is the Betsy Ross flag on it in the first place? I am under the impression that these are somehow 4th of July themed sneakers. In that case I would see it as only being patriotic.

Don't let extremists ruin symbols for everyone else.

 

[Rubiks]

I mean, when taking this to its logical extreme, we may as well just label our current flag as a symbol of hate because racism exists in America.

The confederate flag is racist because the confederacy based its existence upon the continuation of slavery. Just because racism existed in the early US does not make the Betsy Ross flag racist, in my opinion.

 

[SummerMadness]

I mean, when taking this to its logical extreme, we may as well just label our current flag as a symbol of hate because racism exists in America.

The confederate flag is racist because the confederacy based its existence upon the continuation of slavery. Just because racism existed in the early US does not make the Betsy Ross flag racist, in my opinion.

I don't think the early American flag being used by racists should mean it can't be used as a symbol; however, the Confederate Flag is a racist symbol as its foundation and usage from the 19th through 21st century has been racist. Nonetheless, I don't think that quite gibes with saying the early racism of the United States makes the Betsy Ross flag equitable to the Confederate flag. If we take it from the perspective of Native Americans or Hawaiians, the flag represents something much darker.

 

[Goonie]

I mean, when taking this to its logical extreme, we may as well just label our current flag as a symbol of hate because racism exists in America.

The confederate flag is racist because the confederacy based its existence upon the continuation of slavery. Just because racism existed in the early US does not make the Betsy Ross flag racist, in my opinion.

Indeed, I wonder how many white supremicist groups march under the current us flag, possibly more than the Betsy Ross one.

 

[bhsmte]

Or those Nike have a financial interest in appeasing. In this case the face of their most recent advertising campaign.

I am quite certain, nike did their homework before they released this shoe and thought it was a good idea. Now, they have reversed course.

Companies like nike, put a lot of thought and market research, into their products.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Nike pulls sneaker after Kaepernick objection, prompting Republican fury

So because White supremacists have used one of the earliest US flags, does that make it racist?

Got to say on that basis both the union Jack and the England flag would have to be abandoned.

That seems like a very low bar for "white supremacy".

 

[section9+1]

From the perspective of native Americans I have been to a lot of pow wows and have several NA friends and the US flag is always displayed prominently and highly regarded. They seem to be very patriotic people as a whole.

 

[bhsmte]

That seems like a very low bar for "white supremacy".

Some have and need a low bar. Keeps that chip on the shoulder ready for action.

 

[SummerMadness]

From the perspective of native Americans I have been to a lot of pow wows and have several NA friends and the US flag is always displayed prominently and highly regarded. They seem to be very patriotic people as a whole.

I have seen that, but I have also seen Native Americans that emphasize the US was created by land theft and exploitation of Native Americans, a member of this forum holds that very view. So I don't think the view you describe is widespread overall (nor do I think the opposite view is either).

 

[Hieronymus]

I wasn't even aware that the Betsy Ross flag was being appropriated by racists.

It probably isn't.
But some nationalist, who Kapernik, Nike or some other PC whiner would call racist, probably has one at home or something...

If some racial supremacist waves his country's old flag it doesn't make that flag nor that country nor it's history racist.
Probably to complicated for that over payed guy who hates his country.

 

[SummerMadness]

It probably isn't.
But some nationalist, who Kapernik, Nike or some other PC whiner would call racist, probably has one at home or something...

If some racial supremacist waves his country's old flag it doesn't make that flag nor that country nor it's history racist.
Probably to complicated for that over payed guy who hates his country.

The history of the United States is racist, that is simply a fact. That the country has evolved from that past does not make the origins of the country any less racist. The evolution is admirable, but the past is still racist.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Some have and need a low bar. Keeps that chip on the shoulder ready for action.

It's a fundamental mistake about what white supremacy is...

If we just label everything prior to the civil war as "white supremacist" then white supremacy has less to do with beliefs than it does a time period. That's a mistake.

 

[Shiloh Raven]

From the perspective of native Americans I have been to a lot of pow wows and have several NA friends and the US flag is always displayed prominently and highly regarded. They seem to be very patriotic people as a whole.

You obviously haven't met any NDNs from the American Indian Movement as I have or attended a public NDN demonstration where the American flag is either hung upside down or burnt to the ground in ashes. Admittedly, there are a few assimilated NDNs who honor the American flag, but these NDNs aren't in the majority. Below is the more common view of the American flag among NDN activists.

 

[bhsmte]

It's a fundamental mistake about what white supremacy is...

If we just label everything prior to the civil war as "white supremacist" then white supremacy has less to do with beliefs than it does a time period. That's a mistake.

When it is based out of a need to label this or that racist, this what you get. When in doubt, claim racism and ask questions later.