Today is a special day for Nike. A day in which they have officially become an enemy among a few people in the social media sphere. Today, is the 2nd Annual Nike Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. That’s right. Just their SECOND one, which means that, this didn’t start until the recent increase in police brutality and wrongful death cases.
What’s really crazy is the fact that while this isn’t the 1st time Nike has done this, however both times have occurred right after a police brutality incident, this time, shortly after the Baltimore death of Freddie Gray and the riots that occurred. Not saying that all cops are bad, or that Nike is a bad company for using this err, interesting, PR tactic, but come on, Nike knew what they were doing. This would be the absoulte worse time to make a stand on the side of the cops if you are a business, especially a business whose consumer base reaches the African American race in the millions.
But if you are a law enforcement member, you know, the kind that actually does there job to protect the people, then by all means, take advantage of the 30% off that Nike and Converse are giving out today.
Check out the uproar on twitter following the announcement of this interestingly timed appreciation day.
If Nike wants to do a law enforcement appreciation day, why not? There are MANY really good cops out there, not every one is bad. Reality.
— Veteran Freshman (@yusufyuie) May 13, 2015
@stopbeingfamous @Nike timing is no coincidence. Law enforcement appreciation day means f*ck #BlackLivesMatter. We’ll respond accordingly.
— FocusedEfforts (@stubbscrew) May 13, 2015
You see the current war with police brutality and in the midst of it you gonna post law enforcement appreciation day? Oh Nike.
— Harriet Clit-man (@CruzanChoklate) May 13, 2015
Nike is having a law enforcement appreciation day…the same law that is killing civilians and POCs at a higher rate than last yr. Tonedeaf.
— Nam Le (@AGuyNamedNam) May 13, 2015
NIKE and Converse are having a “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day” IF EVER A TIME FOR US AS A PEOPLE TO STOP GIVING THEM OUR MONEY IT’S NOW!
— WEB DuRealest (@BlackGroveIII) May 13, 2015
It’s not even the fact that Nike is offering a law enforcement appreciation day. It’s the timing of it. They’re sending a clear message.
— Money Mone (@SimoneOnSports) May 13, 2015
Source: Complex