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Holy Heck Conservatives Are Actually Defending Nike’s Betsy Ross Flag Sneakers 

The flag has connotations with slavery and far right ideology.

You’d think before releasing a sneaker, Nike would’ve done their research. Well, don’t assume too much from the multi billion dollar brand. Looks like someone’s gone ahead and released a Fourth of July-themed sneaker with the Betsy Ross Flag – an adaptation of the State’s national flag with strong links to far right American extremists and neo-Nazis.

Honestly I wish this were a freaking drill, but it’s not.

Nike planned to release the limited edition Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July sneakers in celebration of Independence Day but the kicks will be pulled from all US stores. Pressure to cancel the sneakers came from Colin Kaepernick, an NFL quarterback who drew attention to the flag’s hugely racist origins.

Kaepernick, who was announced the face of Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ campaign last year, allegedly reached out to Nike directly, saying the sneakers were problematic due to their dark connotations with racism. Kaepernick’s criticism of the shoe set fire to worldwide horror and the shoe has since been pulled from the market.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, a Nike spokesperson said,

“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,”

The Betsy Ross Flag bears hugely problematic connotations with slavery, racism and white nationalist groups. The flag features a circle of 13 stars representing the 13 British colonies during the 18th century. This era of America’s history, as we all know, is plagued by the widespread oppression, racism and slavery.

Certainly not something people want to be sporting on their sneakers, let alone celebrating America’s national Day with. Let alone used anywhere, period.

Here Come The Conservatives

Whilst the origins and initial symbolism of the Betsy Ross Flag aren’t 100% certain, there’s very little doubt surrounding the fact that American extremists and neo-Nazis do indeed use the flag to propagate racism and far right wing ideologies.

There are, however, many conservatives who deny the negative connotations of the flag. Among them are some pretty top-dog political figures and they’re dousing this latest Nike saga with extreme far right views.

Good thing there’s a reply feature on Twitter.

Whilst this could quite easily be Nike’s most embarrassing slip up of the century, they’ve at least bowed down to pressure to pull the shoe from sale.

Sources: @GrahamAllen_1, @adamcbest, @Orvieto2016, @tedcruz, Sneaker News. 

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