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Nike Offends Tradition, VC Suffers the Consequences
The Republic of China rejected a television advertising attempt by the retail giant Nike yesterday on grounds that it was offensive. The ad in question places teenage basketball phenom LeBron James in what is referred to as “The Chamber of Fear”. While inside the Chamber, James battles and defeats a “kung-fu master,” two women in traditional Chinese dress, two dragons and a cartoon version of himself. These enemies are set to represent the ‘demons’ (Hype, Temptation, Challengers, Complacency and Self-Doubt) that King James must face on his way to superstardom.
The country’s version of our CRTC stated that Nike’s ad “violates regulations that mandate that all advertisements in China should uphold national dignity and interest and respect the motherland’s country.” Although the ad may be mistakenly offensive, would it not be Nike’s exploitation of Chinese youth for slave labour that is a greater kick at China’s dignity?
Meanwhile, Nike-sponsored athlete Vince Carter was sick this week due to food poisoning, or karma.