Rocky the Pit Bull Puppy Says “Don’t Burn Your Nikes”
Rocky is a baby Pit Bull, and watching him gnaw on yet another pair of shoes, I thought, “What Would Rocky Do?” and I realized what he wouldn’t do (or tell me to do) is burn shoes. Who benefits from that? He wouldn’t—no shoes to chew. I wouldn’t—I’d need to replace my shoes (though I don’t have Nikes, so that’s not so big a problem). Nike wouldn’t suffer (the planet might), and the only benefit would be to other shoe manufacturers and retailers who would get my business when I went out to get a replacement pair of athletic shoes (which is unlikely, considering how athletic I am not).
People are throwing “Burn Your Nikes” events in conjunction with their Independence Day barbecues. But wait! Burning Nikes doesn’t actually send a message to Nike. Giving this a lot of thought (at least 30 seconds), I offer this invention idea to enterprising entrepreneurs (the kind who are selling victory t-shirts five minutes after the game ends): what we need is a simple “don’t” (red circle with red slash) that can be affixed to Nikes over the famous swoosh.
Protesting Nike by wearing your Nikes lets everyone know where you stand, and Nike probably wouldn’t like it very much. I realize that all swooshes are not created equal, and you may want to make a statement on Nike hats, t-shirts, and whatever else they sell. Here’s an idea borrowed from BoycoTt NikE BraNds. The logo is the swoosh crossed out with red marker.
Get out the fabric paint (acrylic will do) and red tape and send a message to Nike that will be he
ard (or seen). Just paint or tape an “x” over the offending Nike swoosh. Creative people may find an outlet in “editing” whatever message is on their Nike t-shirts (for example “Kick Some Grass,” “Just Do It,” and “What Do You Know?” offer a world of possibilities to anyone with a fabric marker and an ounce of imagination).
Burning Nike merchandise may allow us to release our anger, but it will smell pretty bad and—in the end—won’t make us feel better or comfort dogs. So, save the planet—protest Nike.
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