Controversy arose surrounding Nike’s new ad for the 30 year anniversary of their “Just Do It” campaign. This new campaign, “Dream Crazy,” includes famous athletes like Serena Williams, LeBron James, and Odell Beckham Jr. But what’s causing the controversy is the person that Nike chose to be the face of the campaign: Colin Kaepernick. Back in 2016, Kaepernick, a former NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers, sparked political controversy when he chose to kneel for the national anthem instead of standing. While many were enraged by his “unpatriotic, anti-America” actions, Kaepernick has been backed by people supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, and bringing awareness to police brutality and social injustices in America. After the release of the ad narrated by Kaepernick, people went to social media to post pictures and videos burning their Nike merchandise and using the hashtag #BoycottNike. So far, Nike has lost billions in sales, but have also gained millions. Though many people are against what Nike is doing, the company is upholding their right from the First Amendment: freedom of speech. No matter how much controversy it causes, everyone is allowed to express their own ideas. All people can do is get mad about it. The way Kaepernick and Nike are exercising their First Amendment right shows just what people can do under a democracy.
Did Kaepernick “cross the boundaries” of the First Amendment? Is this movement justified?
With all due respect, shouldn't your question be, not if Colin crossed the lines of free speech, but if Nike crossed the border of free speech?
ReplyDeleteKaepernick did not “cross the boundaries” of the First Amendment. The First Amendment allows for free speech and he had the right to kneel for what he believed in.
ReplyDeleteTo the writer, do you think NIKE made a the right choice using Kaepernick as the face of their campaign?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Jackie. The first amendment protects everyone's right to express their own ideas.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Kaepernick did not "cross the boundaries" of the First Amendment because he was standing (kneeling) for what he believed in. The point of us having the Amendment is for us to be able to speak freely. I understand why there is no controversy, but I don't agree with the people that disagree with his actions
ReplyDeleteI do not think either Kaepernick or Nike crossed the line of free speech. Kaepernick stood up for what he believed in and even corrected his actions the first time of sitting out the national anthem to kneeling, in order to show respect to people that fight for our country.The movement is justified because it is bringing attention and awareness to things like police brutality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jacqueline that Kaepernick had the right to kneel however some people does not see it as such and the issue has been going on for two years already.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your presentation. I thought the artwork was great! Thanks for bringing awareness to the topic. It really helped provide further context to what is happening and now I have a better understanding of how this relates to the government.
ReplyDeleteKaepernick utilized his right of free speech, like the rest of us do every single day. Free speech allows us to express our opinions, and Kaepernick's opinion is controversial but what he said, and stands for is within the boundaries of the first amendment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you mentioned in your post: everyone is allowed to express their own ideas. No one was injured so it was not a violation of the First Amendment. For example, if this was made a legal case, Kaepernick would not be accused with "crossing the boundaries" of the First Amendment.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of his issue as a free speech issue, but I think that he definitely did not cross the line. I think he was more than justified in his actions and I think it's ridiculous that the government has responded in this manner. It also makes me really sad that it has jeopardized his career like this, but the difference he is making and the speeches he's made is so amazing that it must make it worth it.
ReplyDeleteI think this movement is justifiable by the First Amendment itself because it grants us to be able to actively speak out on what we believe in, and despite the controversy, Nike has the right to choose who should be the face of their campaign.
ReplyDeleteSu - I agree with Jacqueline that Kaepernick had the right to kneel however some people does not see it as such and the issue has been going on for two years already.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Kaepernick crossed the boundaries of the First Amendment. I feel like he exercised his right because he was kneeling for the issues that he believed that should be brought more attention to.
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ReplyDeleteKaepernick utilized his right of free speech, like the rest of us do every single day. Free speech allows us to express our opinions, and Kaepernick's opinion is controversial but what he said, and stands for is within the boundaries of the first amendment.
-Ying Wu
I think Kaepernick did not cross the boundaries of the First Amendment. He only brought awareness to the social injustices in America. The movement is justified because he stood up for what he believed in.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Kaepernick did not cross the First Amendment's boundaries. The first amendment allows people and the press the right to freedom of speech, what Kaepernick did was totally okay because he was expressing what he believed in. The movement of boycotting Nike is to extent, justifiable because people are free to say and express what they believe in but again, is inappropriate because they're showing disrespect to another's opinion.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that Nike or Kaepernick crossed the line for free speech. Individuals and corporations should be able to make whatever social or political statements they want. If Kaepernick feels that strongly about an issue that he would risk his fame and fortune to advocate him that's his decision. If Nike's board of directors believe that supporting Kaepernick is the right thing to do despite potential loss in sales, then that's entirely their decision. No one is being forced to buy Nike products or support the NFL or Kaepernick. Whether people decide to continue supporting either of them is also entirely up to them.
ReplyDeleteKaepernick didn't cross the boundaries of the First Amendment because it states that people have a right to protest and express themselves. Kneeling during the National Anthem was just his way of protesting against police brutality.
ReplyDeleteAmber
DeleteI think this movement is justifiable by the First Amendment itself because it grants us to be able to actively speak out on what we believe in, and despite the controversy, Nike has the right to choose who should be the face of their campaign.
ReplyDelete-Cassandra Eugenio
Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem is very much justified. As an American, he has the right to free speech and standing up for what he believes in in this way is protected by the first amendment.
ReplyDeleteI think Kaepernick did not cross the boundary line of the 1st Amendment. He has the right to believe in anything he likes/ want.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Kaepernick did not "cross the boundaries" of free speech because technically he is just showing his opinion; he never put any person in harm's way. I think this move is justified because we as citizens are subject to an opinion whether or not other people like it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Kaepernick "crossed the boundaries" because by kneeling he was upholding his right of free speech. He is bringing awareness to police brutality and the social injustices occurring in America through kneeling, which is justified by his freedom of speech.
ReplyDelete-Michelle
I personally do not believe that Kaepernick crossed any boundaries regarding the First Amendment. If anything, he was using his right to free speech and expression without malicious intent.
ReplyDeleteI also don't think Nike has “cross the boundaries” of the First Amendment. The amendment guarantees the rights of free expression and action. These rights include freedom of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. As long as the First Amendment stands, this movement should be justified.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Kapernick did not "crossed the boundaries" since he was only doing whta he thought was right his morals are obviously going to be different from other peoples and for what he did kneeling was his way of freedom of the speech. Plus he's not staying quiet about everything that is going on between law enforcement and social injustices that is happening in America but honestly this is happening everywhere. -kassandra
ReplyDeleteI feel like Kaepernicks actions were 100% justified. I think a lot of people including Mr Trump are very confused about what him kneeling meant. It had nothing to do with the american flag rather the continuous oppression people of color are experiencing. He sacrificed his entire professional football career to make a change and bring attention to an ongoing issue. I personally think that the national anthem in itself is outdated and that Americans don't have much to be truly proud of. I have a new admiration for Nike and found their commercials very touching.
ReplyDelete- Lea
Kaepernick did not "cross the boundaries" of the First Amendment. I think Kaepernick is taking the steps necessary to bring attention to social injustice and police brutality, which are issues that definitely need to be changed. I like that there is political controversy over his statement because it sparks conversation, which can hopefully lead to a change in how traditional values are looked upon.
ReplyDeleteAlthough unconvential, Kaepernick’s decision to kneel is absolutely backed up by the constitution. However, many actions involving free speech are prohibited in more private sectors. Can you just say anything you want in the classroom? Can you do just anything you want during the national anthem? The footballer surely broke some code of conduct he agreed to follow, and suffered the consequences. Nevertheless, I understand his stance and respect his authenticity. Can he play for, can he represent a country he disapproves of? Who would stand with pride if it meant approving of all of the United States’ ongoing policies and actions?
ReplyDeleteKaepernick did not cross any boundary of the First Amendment. Instead, He excercised his right of the First Amendment: freedom of speech. He stood up for what he believed in and there is nothing wrong with that. (Jessica)
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