Headline Roundup • July 2nd, 2019
Nike Pulls Betsy Ross Sneakers
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Clothing giant Nike has cancelled production on a "Betsy Ross-themed" sneaker.
The cancellation came after former NFL quarterback and Nike representative Colin Kaepernick called on the manufacturer to stop making the shoe. Kaepernick, who is endorsed by Nike, said the shoe featured a symbol that he and others considered to be "offensive." The shoe was scheduled to go on sale this week, but Nike has asked any and all retailers to return their shipments to Nike factories.
Left-leaning outlets mentioned that the Betsy Ross flag has been associated with some extremist groups, while most right-leaning outlets did not mention this. Some on the right verbally condemned the move, saying it amounted to historical revisionism and political correctness run amok. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced via Twitter that he is cancelling aid offered to Nike to build a plant in the state.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Los Angeles Times
Nike Inc. stood by its decision to pull its Fourth of July sneakers from stores, even as the move dragged it once again into America’s culture wars and drew criticism from conservative lawmakers claiming political correctness has gone too far.
“We regularly make business decisions to withdraw initiatives, products and services. Nike made the decision to halt distribution of the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July based on concerns that it could unintentionally offend and detract from the nation’s patriotic holiday,” the company said in an emailed statement...
Wall Street Journal (News)
Nike Inc. (NKE -0.53%) is yanking a U.S.A.-themed sneaker featuring an early American flag after NFL star-turned-activist Colin 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.
The sneaker giant created the Air Max 1 USA in celebration of the July Fourth holiday, and it was slated to go on sale this week. The heel of the shoe featured a U.S. flag with 13 white stars in a circle, a design created during the...
Reason
While no one seems to be saying that Ross herself was an evil racist, the fact that she lived—and allegedly sewed the iconic, 13-star flag associated with the American Revolution—during slaveholding times is apparently enough to ensure that she and her flag be canceled.
The controversy comes after Nike announced a new Fourth of July-themed sneaker, made in red, white, and blue materials and adorned on the heel with the Betsy Ross flag. After shipping the shoe—a version of Nike's popular Air Max 1—to stores, the company then abruptly called...
