
Nike has recently launched its campaign to celebrate 30 years of “Just do it”, making Colin Kaepernick the face of the campaign.
Kaepernick is the quarterback who knelt down during the National Anthem last year during a football game to protest against social injustice, especially the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of police. The real world issues of the time included police violence, presidential politics, and racial clashes, which we continue to see till this day. The N.F.L. and it’s owners have donated several millions of dollars to Trump’s committee, far more than any other sport’s owners, making it very controversial. Some people believe that under Trump’s presidency racism has widely emerged.
Social media has allowed us to access more information a rapid pace. It allows us to rapidly learn about issues going on without having to watching the news or waiting to read about it in the newspaper. People started posting videos on social media burning Nike shoes and ripping logos of their clothing as a response to Nike making Colin Kaepernick as the face of their “Just do it” campaign. People have made two stands on this issue: some who say they will continue to buy Nike to support Kaepernick and others who say they will never buy Nike because it disrespects the troops.

Nike company owns other companies such as Converse and Hurley, brands that many people use. Trevor Noah says in the video (5:09) they are only hurting themselves. They’ve already got your money”(5:03). This advertisement is controversial but there are other effective ways to take a stance on this view rather than to boycott Nike.
As Trevor Noah says, “we live in a world now where brands are taking a stands on political issues (5:40).” Brands support many sports and influential athletes who bring income to their company. And as developing society, we as consumers, pick and choose which of these products we want to buy. As Fiske states in his article Reading the Popular “culture is a constant succession of social practices; it is therefore inherently political…” (page 1). Trevor Noah makes a joke on how soon enough people will start to purchase items based on it political views. Needless to say, popular culture interferes with everyday products we as consumers buy.