Opinion

Opinion: Nike’s right to “just do it”

Nike is under fire due to their recent 30-year anniversary ad campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers.

In August of 2017, Kaepernick, the now free agent, began protesting “the oppression of people of color and ongoing issues of police brutality,” by sitting during the national anthem.  

This isn’t the first controversy for Nike, In the late 90s they faced accusations of exploiting employees in sweatshops with grueling conditions and very low pay.

If there is a reason not to wear Nike, I believe their inhumanity is reason enough. If people are going to protest, it should be for the terrible conditions of Nike’s employees, not for their belief in progress. But we turn a blind eye to the things not right in front of us.

So, Nike is not new to controversy, but this is the first time I’ve seen them take a stance for something positive.

Kaepernick is standing up for issues that are relevant today and that a large portion of the population face. 

He is simply exercising his right to peaceful protest. He uses his fame to give voice to those who cannot be heard, if people do not want Kaepernick to say it, then they should listen to what is going on around them.