Townhall was our sister site and highlighted Enes Kanter’s courage, as well as the Woke ideology (as opposed) from Celtics centre. Kanter went live to criticize China’s treatment of Uyghurs in slave labor camps. Kanter then posted another video condemning President Xi Jinping as well other leaders in the Middle East for such abuses.
CCP responded by pulling Celtics games off Chinese media. Kanter continues to resist being silenced, despite this backlash. Today he posted this video targeting Nike’s CEO, and the company’s selective history of human rights.
WATCH:
Dear @Nike
SLAVERY is not a modern-day issue. Stop it now!Stop the modern day SLAVERY, now!#HypocriteNike#EndUyghurForcedLabor pic.twitter.com/tvX2k3wE4X
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 25, 2021
Dear Nike
Your company claims that your organization has a positive effect on our community. It is indeed true. True. Nike is proud to support the Black Lives Matter movement, Stop Asian Hate and the Latino community in America. Nike stands with the LGBTQ community. Nike continues to speak out against injustice in America.
Nike is silent when it comes China. Your silence on China’s police brutality is a sign that you don’t care. It is not your intention to condemn discrimination against LGBTQ people. The oppression in China of minorities is not something you speak about. Fear prevents you from speaking up.
The same company that paid $5 million to support Colin Kaepernick, a failed activist quarterback, and who also gave him $5,000,000 dollars to relaunch their Betsy Ross Flag line of shoes. Kanter is right to question the disconnect between trumpeting so-called free speech and activism in America, while being silent on China’s destructive labor practices.
Is it China who makes your shoes? Are you aware of this? China is home to many factory-worker factories. Uyghur forced labour, which is modern-day slavery, is an example. This is what’s happening now in China.
Millions of Uyghurs currently live in detention, are sold and sent to factories, prisons, and forced labour camps across the country. Their lives are poor and they work long hours under surveillance. They face political reeducation. Even worse, they cannot leave.
Did you know almost all of the apparel and footwear industries are tainted with Uyghur forced labour? Many well-known global brands are implicated, and yes, that includes one of the NBA’s biggest sponsors: Nike.
Add Chanel, Costco, Jimmy Choo, Victoria’s Secret, Coach, Hugo Boss, and a number of others to that list. Unconsciously, we support Uyghur slavery labor.
Nike claims that they do not allow any forced labor in their supply chain, yet they don’t have the receipts to prove it. They haven’t publicly stated that they will cut ties to the Chinese government for labor trafficking. The government has yet to provide any updates or timelines regarding their plans for ending this. They have not made public commitments to follow the Coalition to End Uyghur Forced Labour.
Don’t forget: every time you put those shoes on your feet, or put that t-shirt on your back, there are so many tears and so much oppression, and so much blood behind it all.
That’s a shot right between the eyes.
Nike likes to say, “Just Do It.” Well, what are you doing about the slave labor that makes your shoes? Slave labor is what makes you rich.
Phil Knight (the owner of Nike), I have a message to you. What about you book our flights together? Let’s fly to China together. You can visit the slave labor camps and see them with your own eyes.
Kanter did something no other player has done before: He called out NBA stars LeBron James, Michael Jordan and their complicity in the matter.
Lebron James, Michael Jordan. You are all welcome. Nike should be involved in this. Don’t be hypocritical. Stop today’s modern slavery.
Kanter is not just grandstanding—he is actually living out what he is asking of Nike, James, and Jordan. Kanter has criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdan, and his Turkish passport was revoked. He is unable to legally travel back to his country. Kanter has expressed concern for his life because Erdogan’s men threaten him constantly. He is standing up and calling out slavery and dictatorships.
As with many athletes, this is not an academic achievement. Kanter still lives this and wears it on both his legs.
A lot of respect is required @EnesKanter & awesome design from @badiucao #FreeTibet #FreeUyghurs #FreeHongKong 🎨⬇️🤍https://t.co/2CzKVaw5z0
— Emily Harris (@emharris33) October 25, 2021
XI JINPING & the Chinese Communist Party
It is up to someone else to show you the way.
For speaking truthfully, I won’t ever apologize.
I cannot be bought.
It is impossible to scare me.
I will not be silenced by you.Let’s go!It’s your turn! #FreedomShoes#XinnieThePooh pic.twitter.com/JFGEgIaXlN
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 24, 2021
Kanter also has “Free Tibet” and “Free Uyghur” shoes by the same designer that he wears when he is on the court.
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