Letter to the Editor: Nike Slogans Send Wrong Message

To the editor:

Sports, organized or unorganized, are the single most important weapon we have in fighting drugs: especially in the inner city. The allure of giving kids nice stylish equipment and uniforms once they have earned it is huge and can be life changing.It pulls them into the program and off the streets. It tells the kids that we care about them and that we take their aspirations seriously. 

To give equipment or uniforms that (even if in a small way) reinforce the use of drugs or profanity is completely unacceptable. I believe it is an overt message Nike sent. Callous at best. The Nike slogans “Dope,” “Get High,” and “F—k Gravity,” speak for themselves and do not need to be parsed to find some deeper meaning.

This has nothing to do with the First Amendment. They (Nike) are free to advertise as they wish, but at the same time we should not feel compelled to buy their products. It is my hope that the city and all the major professional sports teams review their respective relationships with Nike. 

Respectfully,
 
Thomas V Desmond