Ross Dwyer Most sneakerheads were confused when Nike announced a July 1st release date for the Air Max 1 “Independence Day” and just as quickly pulled it from shelves, but now the reason has been revealed: outspoken former NFL QB Colin Kaepernick informed the Swoosh Brand that they shouldn’t sell a shoe with detailing that he and others considered offensive. The design’s point of controversy arrives on the heel, where Betsy Ross’s 13-star flag is embroidered in a prominent position. This flag was originally created back in the 1770s to represent the 13 original American colonies, but in recent years it’s come to be associated with white supremacist groups, and Kaepernick reportedly felt that the design was inherently linked to a period of slavery. Nike issued a rather short statement on the matter, saying simply that they’d chosen to “halt distribution, based on concerns that it (the sneaker) could unintentionally offend and detract from the nation’s patriotic holiday.”
Apparently the shoes were never supposed to hit the market, as various inside sources at retailers informed us that they were ordered to ship their stock back to Nike well before the news broke. This wouldn’t be the first time that the Beaverton Brand has dipped their toes in hot water this year either. In May, they were forced to cancel the release of an Air Force 1 “Puerto Rico” after a similar uproar, as it featured a mola-printed graphic, a traditional art style with religious significance that’s in fact native to Panama, not PR. Unsurprisingly, the extra-limited supply and extremely high demand have caused the price of these flag-equipped Nike shoes to skyrocket, as they’re currently selling for over $2,000 on aftermarket sites like StockX. Take another look at the forgone design below, and stay tuned for more info as it’s available.
Via: New York Times/Wall Street Journal
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