Converse, a subsidiary of Nike, produced, promoted, and released a controversial ad that, for many, had racial implications. Just for context, our high school basketball team wore Converse tennis shoes in the mid-sixties. In the ad, the black shoes, occupied by dark legs, appear to be suspended or hanging next to a Klan-like hood with foreboding cutout dark eyes (not visble in above photo), reminiscent of a KKK hood, meant to invoke fear, intimidation, and violence by hanging. Closer scrutiny depicts the hooded caricature with Caucasian legs. The implications are startling, shocking, and provocative.
The question begs a response from the parent organization, Nike, though Nike has been an ardent supporter of Colin Kaepernick and other Black causes. Was it done to create attention via public rage or backlash to improve sales, since some have compared the sinister scene to the great Billie Holiday song “Strange Fruit,” which brings attention to the many Blacks who died by hanging? Others believe that if greater DEI prevailed in the boardrooms where decisions are made, those sensitive to the African American experience would have prevailed in prohibiting the ad’s release.
The ad is definitely offensive, racially insensitive, and completely inappropriate. Nike and Converse must explain their intent in permitting such a despicable ad to be released. The backlash is palpable and painfully real, and the repercussions should be equally assiduous.
A perfunctory response would be gravely insufficient. I believe a significant monetary amount should be granted to each HBCU in America, in excess of $500,000 million.
I make a point of watching the Pivot Sports Show hosted by ESPN outcast Ryan Clark and former Florida Gator greats Shannon Crowder and Fred Taylor.
South Carolina State defeated Furman University on the road. They truly are at the top of the pecking order in Black college football circles.
Black college football scores:
Tennessee State 29 – Florida A&M 26
Norfolk State 42 – Hampton 21
Morgan State 41 – Towson 26
Jackson State 41 – Tuskegee 7
Campbell 42 – North Carolina A&T 14
Gardner-Webb 44 – North Carolina Central 20
UAPB 41 – Central State 35
North Alabama 38 – Alcorn State 20
Bethune-Cookman 62 – Virginia-Lynchburg 3
Delta State 21 – Mississippi Valley State 6
Stephen F. Austin 31 – Prairie View 10
Alabama A&M 45 – Bowie State 3
Southern 50 – Louisiana Christian 31
South Florida 59 – Delaware State 17