Should you support Nike? A closer look at ethical consumerism

Think twice before you buy a Nike product! Kgalalelo Morwe explains why.

To do it, or not to do it: that is the question:

Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

It is unfortunate that this line from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet does not resonate very well with the Nike slogan. Because where Nike is concerned, you do not have to think or contemplate about it: you must “just do it”! Then one might perhaps ask: why the link between Shakespeare’s phrase and Nike’s slogan? This article is for those who have not bought Nike products yet and are thinking about buying them. As in the Shakespearian phrase: contemplating to live or not to live, should you take action or sit by passively? This article is dedicated to those contemplating to buy it or not to buy it. Here I have compiled a number of issues to ponder on before doing it!

Why should you do it?

You will be the coolest. Maybe not because you and everyone else who wears Nike will be cool. What happened to being unique???

Consider how Nike is the world’s largest footwear company and one of the planet’s most dominant brands. Yeah right, continue to add to Nike’s riches. How about you make yourself rich first? Shop local. Ever heard of local is lekker?

If you think earning $1.60 a day at a Nike factory shop is cool.

If you work hard to pay $160 for shoes and enable Nike to make another hundred pairs for and accumulate massive profits.

If you feel that your money has no real value. Hey, spend a little on Nike!

Why should you not do it?

Think of hundreds and thousands of labourers in Indonesia, Vietnam and other developing countries that are being exploited so that you can wear that famous brand, that famous swoosh.

Think of cheap labour, child labour and other social injustices caused by Nike.

Watch this video below and think twice!

To look a little better, Nike has now introduced a new range of sneakers called ‘Nike Considered’. Yep that’s a name of a sneaker. Nike Considered is supposedly a more environmentally-friendly version of Nike wear. The shoes are apparently made of a smaller quantity of material so they result in a reduced amount of waste, less adhesives and are easier to recycle.

Talk about adding a twist to doing it! Could this be a public relations campaign to pretend as if Nike cares about the environment?  Is it a bid to conceal the stories that are not told, stories of cheap labour, unconducive working environments? Add your voice to the debate below!

For more, check out the following campaigns:

Clean Clothes campaign

Love Fashion Hate Sweatshops, War on Want

Stop Nike Sweatshops, Education for Justice

And lots more here

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