Just putting the words Nike Ad up as the title of this blog post are probably controversial. If you read my blog with any regularity you know I talk about controversial stuff. And by now most people have taken sides on the ad – you either love it and think it’s patriotic or you hate it and think that’s its unpatriotic.
Let me be upfront with full disclosure about this before I write the main point I have in bringing up the topic. I think the ad is great. It is effective. It accomplished exactly what Nike and any company set out to do when they create and use an ad – to draw attention to their company and product. To get as many people as possible to talk about the ad, the company, and the product. To get people to have an emotional reaction to the product they are selling.
And isn’t that the point of ads? To get a reaction. Yes, it is to get sales, but where do you think sales come from – attention.
Politicians do this as well. Set aside what you think about the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. You may have to try really hard to do this. Which only proves the point I’m making here. If you learn nothing else from him it should be this – he is really good at drawing attention to himself, making himself the center of attention, discussion, and the emotional state of many people in the world.
Religion is rife with such behavior as well. Just turn on a televangelist and watch the controversy simmer. Some “preacher” was told by God that he needs a $54 million jet to carry out ministry. And people fall for it and give.
The problem with this is that companies, politicians, and religious figures have to keep pushing the limits and saying and doing more controversial things in order to draw attention to themselves. Think about that for a moment – let it sink in. And don’t be surprised when the next company runs an ad with a controversial figure in it. You shouldn’t be surprised by it – you should be expecting it. And when you expect it, it takes the emotional reaction down a few notches.
Likewise, don’t be surprised when certain politicians say or do controversial things – especially when their entire careers are built on using controversy to draw attention to themselves. You shouldn’t be surprised by it – you should be expecting it. And when you expect it, it takes the emotional reaction down a few notches.
Likewise, don’t be surprised when certain religious figures say or do controversial things. You shouldn’t be surprised by it – you should be expecting it. And when you expect it, it takes the emotional reaction down a few notches.
If you want to get upset over an ad – go for it. Burn away. It doesn’t really do anything.
Here’s my suggestion though – consider your options. You can go the easy route – destroy something, boycott, etc. You’ll feel really good about yourself – righteous indignation has that effect. And don’t forget to post your burning on Facebook too – you know, doing the same thing that you are upset with Nike for doing: exploiting emotional responses in order to draw attention to yourself.
Your other option would be to do something to improve the lives of people. If you are upset by the Nike ad and think it is against the troops, then respond by doing something for a veteran or active duty service member. You’d at least be doing something productive.
Another option is to actually hear what the protest is about from those protesting instead of making assumptions about it. That takes patience and setting aside your emotional reactions and actually listening to understand, not listening to respond.
Here’s the reality that we face – this ad is present for now, but will drift away in a week or two and be forgotten by many soon enough. The real question is this – what kind of person are you? Someone who lets ads, politicians, and “religious” figures determine your emotional state and reactions? Or are you someone who takes responsibility for your life and does something to make a positive impact on people’s lives?
Stop whining and start doing something. Frankly, the whining and complaining is immature and I’m tired of it. Stop acting like a victim when your life is full of privilege and start doing something to improve the lives of people less fortunate or privileged than you. Do something to build people up. Do something to raise people up. Do something for people who can’t repay you. Whining and complaining are easy. Going and doing is not.
That’s the message of the Nike ad when it comes down to it – paying a price to improve lives. And it’s a good message for all of us regardless of our politics or company loyalties or religious beliefs. Don’t cry and whine, show me what you’re doing to make the world a better place for all people.
I was just reading an interesting article about Kaepernick vs. Tebow Christianity a few days ago. I had such a confusion of reaction to it that I don’t know where to start. I loved it AND hated it. Well, love and hate are too strong … liked and disliked is better.
And I think in some round about ways that article is very related to yours. They do business with each other. Here is a link:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/09/24/colin-kaepernick-vs-tim-tebow-a-tale-of-two-christianities-on-its-knees/
I found the faith of Kaepernick revealed in the piece to be very illuminating. I didn’t know he is Christian. But it is clear he pays a deep price for his faith in action. I knew Tebow was Christian, but I didn’t know he had a history with mission work – I am not a sports fan, so I don’t follow these personalities AT ALL – only what comes out in headlines. And Tebow strikes me as a show horse. But I don’t really know him, so the fact I am struck with that notion is not a settled opinion, to be frank.
Nevertheless, at this level, the article is interesting. Christian faith is working its way out in the public sphere in these very different ways and getting very different responses. This is very interesting.
However, these guys are footballers. They are not theologians, church leaders, shepherds… that I know of. I can name a lot of leaders I would sooner trust to guide my spiritual life. And so at this level, I find the appeal to football to be almost ridiculous. (Of course God can use ridiculous!)
I know this… I have not stood for the anthem in more than 20 years. No one ever made a fuss about it, but when I have gone to a game, I always turn my back on the flag that turns its back on Jesus. I don’t make a big show of it, but I do it. It is symbolic, not showy, and it has afforded me the chance to discuss the flag at deeper levels with a handful of individuals. My reason and practice is not THE SAME as Kaepernick but similar.
The article goes on to say that Christian faith is dividing today and the divide is expressed by Kaepernick and Tebow. I had not seen that before – at least not so starkly in those terms. But perhaps the guy is right about that.
Now… as for Nike… I have not purchased any Nike gear in 35 years. Not because of Kaepernick, but because of their use of sweatshop labor. I cannot possibly avoid this problem with every company I might do business with, but for a long time I could trust New Balance was made in America (thus not sweatshops). So, I used them for a long time for that reason.
Point being, I am always learning always navigating “issues”, but always doing this with my eye on Jesus… and not in reaction to popular fervor or for lesser reasons. That flag betrayed Jesus a long time before it betrayed blacks. Black lives matter, and I am in favor of pointing that out, but so do blue lives, white lives, red lives and others. Yet my endorsement of black lives in no way that I can see, undercuts my support for the others… and where that is threatened, I will adjust.
These are my two cents… However, its nearly two pages of cents…
Ha…
X
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X, thank you for adding these comments and the article. I hadn’t thought about the division of Christianity showing up in these two sports figures, but it makes sense. And I think it’s uniquely American. I saw this on display when I moved away to Finland. I saw the extent of which we live in a society with only two options – or at least we think there are only two options. We see this in politics, in religion, in sports, etc. To put a face on it helps to crystalize it even more. Thanks again.
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