During a segment on MSNBC, anchor Hallie Jackson asked the regular guest to “explain why this particular flag, this symbol, is so offensive to some.”
“Well it hails from the Revolutionary period, of course, of this nation’s founding, which was deeply embroiled in enslavement, of the owners of slaves, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the like. But, it’s also the recent use of this flag that has been most opprobrious,” Dyson said, noting that “right-wing white supremacists have used it as a rallying cry for their own cause.”
“Right now, this flag has been used by people who want to pummel African Americans, Latinx, Jews and other people. Neo-nazis who want to claim they have the true copyright on American identity,” the professor continued. “Why not choose a flag that is representative of everybody? The diversity of identities, ideologies, and people of color and mainstream people who happen to exist in this country?”
Jackson asked Dyson what he makes of those who argue that cancelling the shoe lets “right-wing white supremacist groups win.” “Why not reclaim the flag, if you will,” she asked.
“That would be beautiful,” Dyson said. “I don’t hear anything coming from the right about that. I don’t hear them going, hey, this is not [what] we believe.”
Jackson then prompted Dyson to discuss the views of Americans who believe that this is “PC culture run amok.”
“Words matter, symbols matter too,” the professor said. “Why don’t we wear a swastika for July Fourth? Because I don’t know, it makes a difference. The cross burning on somebody’s lawn… because those symbols are symbols of hate.”
“At this point, I think people need to be honest and say it’s not a matter of PC,” he concluded. “There are many people within communities of color who understand complexity, complication, you can’t have it the way you want it. But something so glaring and apparent, that has to be dealt with.”
Nike announced on Monday that it was pulling its upcoming special edition Air Max 1 USA sneaker that would feature an early American flag to honor Independence Day. According to the Wall Street Journal, the decision was made after former NFL quarterback Colin Karpernick notified the company that the flag is a symbol considered by some as offensive.
“Nike has chosen not to release the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July as it featured the old version of the American flag,” a Nike spokesperson told WSJ.
In 2016, Kaepernick made headlines worldwide for kneeling on the American football field during the national anthem to protest racial inequality. Last September, Kaepernick partnered with Nike to become the face of an ad campaign that featured the slogan, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
