By now, unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve heard that Nike decided to pull an American flag themed sneaker due to objections reportedly raised by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. According to The Wall Street Journal, Kaepernick said the design of the “Air Max 1 USA” sneakers, which uses the original “Betsy Ross” American flag, is offensive to him and others as it stirs up images of slavery and oppression. “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,” declared a Nike spokesperson.
Others have chimed in. Appearing on MSNBC, Michael Eric Dyson compared the Betsy Ross American flag to the Nazi swastika and a KKK cross-burning. Indeed, all of social media has lit up, with many agreeing with Kaepernick and Dyson.
Nike is, of course, a private company and they are free to release (or not release) whatever product they wish. And people like Dyson and Kaepernick are American citizens who are free (and should be free) to say whatever they wish. But I can’t help but be sad that racism and patriotism are becoming increasingly associated in the minds of so many today. It didn’t use to be this way, and if we don’t do something about this unfortunate association, it will only further divide us and tear us apart.
To continue with this article and read it in full, please click here ----> "Is the Betsy Ross Flag Racist?"
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1 comment:
The Betsy Ross flag itself, when considered purely in its historical context, is not inherently racist. However, the meaning of symbols can evolve over time and be influenced by their usage. The controversy arises from contemporary associations and the way some groups have adopted the flag for purposes that many find offensive. As such, whether the Betsy Ross flag is perceived as racist can depend largely on the context in which it is displayed and the intent behind its use.
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