Call it controversy on top of controversy. Nike pulled a new sneaker featuring the Betsy Ross flag after Colin Kaepernick complained. The Wall Street Journal reports, “Kaepernick told the company it shouldn’t sell a shoe with a symbol that he and others consider offensive, according to people familiar with the matter.” But Nike’s decision is causing a big divide. The fallout includes Arizona Governor Doug Ducey ending a deal that was set to bring Nike (and about 500 jobs) to the state.
Nike has made its decision, and now we’re making ours. I’ve ordered the Arizona Commerce Authority to withdraw all financial incentive dollars under their discretion that the State was providing for the company to locate here. 7/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
Vice says, “But what Ducey and other detractors fail to realize is that the American history was already tainted; by choosing to separate themselves from American symbols that are emblematic of larger injustices, Nike did the right thing.”
But Ducey isn’t the only one pushing back against Nike’s decision to yank the shoe.
The Betsy Ross flag is now a symbol of White Nationalism and slavery? Not defiance against a distant monarchy?
Really, Nike?
PC madness is accelerating just in time for 2020.
Trump feeds on your reflexive Wokeness.
Great job, everybody. https://t.co/T1T05PSwSQ— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) July 2, 2019
Ted Cruz promising never to wear your products isn’t punishment, it’s a reward. https://t.co/JfbpZYOUgu
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) July 2, 2019
Even Democrats running for president are weighing in.
.@JulianCastro tells CBSN he was "glad to see" Nike pull Betsy Ross flag sneakers from retailers https://t.co/zee28SIaIi pic.twitter.com/uw9rUzRMvf
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 3, 2019
Watch more above from ABC News.
