Episode 145: Nike's Colin Kaepernick Ad, the Anonymous New York Times Op-Ed, and Robin Leach

Past Present

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss Nike’s controversial signing of Colin Kaepernick as the face of their Just Do It campaign, the anonymous New York Times op-ed written by a senior Trump administration official, and the recent death of Robin Leach.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Colin Kaepernick, best known for “taking a knee” to protest racism and police brutality in America, is the face of Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign. Natalia wrote about the announcement in the context of Nike’s history of adventurous branding at The Washington Post and referred to social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s tweets about the implications of brands capitalizing on political polarization.
• The New York Times published a rare, anonymous op-ed from a senior official in the Trump administration. Natalia referenced Dahlia Lithwick’s comments on Trumpcast and Jordan Taylor’s Washington Post essay about the role of anonymity in American political history.
• Robin Leach, best known as host of the 1980s television show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, has died. Niki referred to David Brooks’ 2000 book Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed Ted Cruz’ warning that Democrats would bring “tofu, silicon, and dyed hair” to Texas.
• Neil reflected on the gendered dynamics in the new film Crazy Rich Asians.
• Niki shared Michael Rosenwald’s Washington Post article, “Roe v. Wade’s forgotten loser: The remarkable story of Dallas prosecutor Henry Wade.”