Nike? Just don’t do it…

 Nike?  Just don't do it...

“…If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?...”

                                                                                                  The Wrestler, by Bruce Springsteen

 

            Ethics is becoming the main theme around which I am writing these days.  Ethics.  I do not believe many, perhaps not even a few, in business and politics and athletics are ethical.  Usually, it is all about the bottom line: what is profitable, not profitable, what can bring in the medals, trophies, titles.  So, it comes as a slight surprise that Nike could believe that they will be more profitable if they made Michael Vick their spokesperson.  Michael Vick.  The dog killer.  Michael Vick.  The criminal.  Some say Tiger Woods was no longer deserving of the status.  Let me be clear:  Tiger Woods cheated on his wife, his family.  He did not kill.  Understood?  Now, to those who know me, they know I am the world’s greatest Tiger fan.  I freely and fully and proudly admit it.  He did more for the sport of golf and African-American participation in it than any golf figure before him.  He is, quite simply, the greatest to ever play the game.  And, Tiger loves dogs. Where the hell does Nike get off replacing him with Michael Vick?  Go on and read the details about what Vick did to dogs.  I cannot bear to write them here.  If you do not already know of his crimes, by all means, treat yourself to the literature about it. 

            Making Michael Vick the desirable image for their brand makes me angry.  Because they are betting on most of the world to be idiots.  Yes.  Idiots.  Assuming we will not know Vick as the slime that he is, and what, admire him for….?  For running around with a football and getting announcers to jerk themselves off with the accolades with which they adorn him.  To anyone who knows the sport, know this:  Michael Vick spent most of the season out with an injury.  I wish I were on the opposing line of any team opposing him.  I would look at the bastard and try to plant his head in the turf, every single play.  I am angry.  Very angry.  When I get angry like this, I have to think of a way to legally avenge my feelings, and hurt the assailant.  The only way to hurt Nike, as any other business that upsets your ideas of what is ok and what is, most decidedly, not is to do one, more, or all of the following:  Stop buying their merchandise.  Write letters to the corporate officers.  Get a petition, have A Lot of people sign it and send it in, with the note that all the signatories pledge not to buy anything Nike makes or Vick endorses.  When we wanted to show L’Oreal that we would not stand for animal testing, we did just this and, guess what?  It actually worked.

            Nike could have chosen any other more worthy athlete, or being, to represent them.  Try Adam Bender, a 10 year old cancer survivor who lost a leg, and plays soccer, baseball, and football.  Maybe Ralph Green, a one-legged, world class skier, who lost his leg when just a boy, when he was shot on a Brooklyn street at the age of 15, who is a participant on the U.S. Paralympic Team would make you shine a little brighter, eh, Nike?  And there’s Bethany Hamilton, the world class surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack.  Since your sympathies seem to go a certain way, if I were you, just for pissing off people like me, I would make Faith, the dog born without front paws, left to die, taken in by those with more sense than you, Nike, and have this little miracle walking around, making everyone around her happy, yeah, I would make Faith your representative.  Bet she would make you more money, Nike, because, you see, I want to bankrupt you rather than let you get away with this.  Oh, man, there are soooooo many who are better role models, who are more inspirational, who are worthy.  And you pick Michael Vick, Nike?  Shame on you.  And, now you will feel some pain from those who will prove not everyone is an idiot, that no one can stand dog killers, and that your criminal instincts have led you astray. 

For the dogs who could not defend themselves, who left this world with less than they had before…for all the blood they shed as he smiled when they hit the floor…for the kids who deserve better idols than a celebrated sadist, who is about to cash in on his bloodlust… I can ask for more. You don’t even have a one-trick pony, Nike.   Or a one-legged dog (more worthy than your pick).  And, yes, I can ask for more from you.  In fact, I think the whole world can. 

I hope we all just do it.

Please, send this to everyone you know and tell them to stop supporting Nike.