If you are reading this, you are falling victim to what I already have — giving attention and consideration to an advertising campaign meant to take up space in our brains.
Nike’s ad featuring Colin Kaepernick and the believe-in-something-even-if-it-means-sacrificing-everything hook is controversial for all kinds of reasons.
First, it targets — and exploits — the ongoing anthem issue in pro sports, started when Kaepernick declined to stand for the national anthem before games, first sitting, then taking a knee instead. Second, it uses Kaepernick himself — and his unfortunate circumstances — to move product. Third, it assigns a stance to Kaepernick that he likely never considered when he started the protests.