The Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP) has urged Nike to can Colin Kaepernick for his opposition to the Betsy Ross flag.
Kaepernick claimed that the flag was racist as was Ross, But, Philadelphia had banned slavery and even if they hadn’t, Betsy Ross was a fervent abolitionist. Many of the pastors in the CAAP marched alongside MLK during his marches. I am quite sure that they know more about the civil rights fight than Kaepernick ever will and their opinions should count for something.
But don’t expect Nike to listen to them because they want to make money, not advance civil rights.
The Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP) called on Nike Thursday to end its relationship with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has a prominent endorsement deal with the athletic company.
Rev. William Owens, president of CAAP, said his organization is responding to Nike’s decision to pull an athletic shoe celebrating the Betsy Ross flag after Kaepernick expressed objections to it.
Colin Kaepernick’s views on America and the flag are fringe opinions, not shared by any of us … especially the African Americans who marched against segregation with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #nike #BetsyRossFlag
Sign CAAP’s letter to Nike: https://t.co/zhWFj8iKU3
— Rev. William Owens (@caapusa) July 12, 2019
“Many find Mr. Kaepernick’s positions to be ill-informed and offensive, especially to veterans and others who have served this country,” Owens explained. “How can we support a company that caters to this kind of thinking?”
The petition, which can be viewed at the CAAP website, is addressed to Mark Parker, president and CEO of Nike, in Beaverton, Oregon, and states:
We represent a variety of races, ethnicities, and creeds. And we agree that Mr. Kaepernick’s views on America and the flag are fringe opinions, not shared by any of us … especially the African Americans who marched against segregation with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In fact, we find Mr. Kaepernick’s views to be ill-informed and offensive, especially to veterans and others who have served this country.
“Mr. Kaepernick does not represent us,” the petition continues. “Removing the Betsy Ross flag shoes at his behest implies that your company shares his negative view of America, its founders, and the woman who designed the first flag.”