How dare you Protest my Protest?!
People have bitched and moaned for a couple years now about others who criticize and Poke fun of the protest of Collin Kaepernick. They claim that a protestor has every right to protest about whatever they want and mostly, however they want. They claim that CK kneeling during the anthem symbolizes the oppression and injustices of this country. Of course, others disagree in his protest, despite the demands of those who do agree with them.
Now, those same people who demanded his protest be heard are criticizing those who are burning their Nike gear in protest of the apparel giant making CK the face of their new promotions. They claim that those people's protests are stupid because they already bought the gear. Though I agree that burning your gear is stupid, and lacks insight, they are still protesting. They are using the burning of their gear as symbols to express their anger.
Me, I don't care that CK protested the Anthem. I do think staging a protest during a sporting event that has historically brought people of all color, gender and orientation together to cheer on their teams was shortsighted , and I do think that using a symbol that gave him the rights that he has taken advantage of his whole life to stage his protest lacks insight, however, his protest is his protest. I also have never liked Nike gear so,I could give 2 shits about who the choose to be their spokesman, but even if I did, I wouldn't care, or burn something I bought just because I didn't like the spokesperson. That's just dumb, but hell, if other people want to in protest, I don't care about that either.
What I do find ironic is the picking and choosing of what to be enraged about. Nike has long had a history of using sweatshops in other countries to manufacture their apparel.
CK who is supposed to be standing against oppression and injustice, and Nike who is now standing with him, don't seem to care about the oppressive and unjust labor practices of the countries producing the products they promote. Though they can not change the labor practices of another country, they can move their manufacturing plants to countries that have fair labor practices....but that would affect Nikes bottom line so I don't expect that to be happening soon.
Secondly, the people who have willfully bought these products for decades, paying upwards of $500 for a sneaker, knowing damn well about these heinous labor practice , and have never batted an eye doing so, are now somehow filled with rage and burning their gear in protest of a Celebrity who did something (completely legal) that hurt their feelings. Hmmmm?
Anyway;A protest is a protest, is a protest, is a protest. Whether you agree with it or not, they have the right to do it, so don't bitch and moan about how people should respect your protest and with the next breath Criticize and Poke fun of another’s protest. This makes you look like a hypocritical, shortsighted fuckhead.
Don't be afraid.
That ringing you hear in your ears is just a bit of ...
BRAYN NOISE