I am sure you have heard on the news or social media that people are burning and destroying their Nike shoes and merch. Colin Kaepernick, an American football quarterback for the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers, appeared in a Nike add and people were sent in a fury. People began posting on social media pictures and videos of themselves burning their Nike merchandise all because Nike supports Kaepernick, a person who decided to kneel during the national anthem during a game. Now, I don't know about you, but I believe burning your Nike's is a little bit ridiculous. To be a productive human being, here are five things you can do instead of burning your Nike's.
1. Donate your shoes to a homeless shelter.
Homeless man
Seriously. Some homeless people or children in need could use those perfectly good $80 shoes that you want to burn.
2. Be thankful that you even have nice shoes to wear, and try not to be wasteful.
Be thankful
Be thankful that you even have shoes to cover your feet. Other people do not have that luxury (see above), and do not get worked up over a logo that represents "treason."
3. Go outside, read a book, and get off the internet.
Thumbs up man
There are honestly better things to worry about instead of posting on social media about how much you hate Nike.
4. Actually be concerned about real problems happening in the world.
War
War, poverty, racism, sexism, genocide, hurricanes. So many terrible things are happening around the world, and the world needs more compromising and advocating for the greater good.
5. Realize that people have freedom of expression, and getting worked up over someone kneeling is a waste of time.
Kneeling
People kneeling during the national anthem is a form of peaceful protest, which falls in the First Amendment. In addition, America is all about freedom, so people should have the freedom to kneel if they want to. By kneeling, they are generating controversy and creating talk among the nation, which is important in a democratic country. Some people may say that this is disrespecting veterans, but veterans have died so Americans have freedom of expression. If anything, expressing their right of expressing their opinion is patriotic, and it is an American ideal to stand up (or in this case, kneel) for what you believe in.
