March 2017 saw the creation and release of the Nike Hijab. Along with it the backlash it was given by left wing bigots....
Are we even surprised by now?
For most the invention was a brilliant and innovative idea. Why should women of religion not be able to play sports comfortably? And without getting sweat in their beautifully patterned scarfs. For some this was a step 'too far' which is almost laughable. You would have thought that by this modern day we would be past the whole religious headwear argument.
Nike did the right thing. Bottom line. There are so many athletes, and those who just like to casually work out, that wear Hijabs and find it hard to work out with it on. Or even put off their work outs in order to stick to their beliefs. This time a brand did the whole equality thing right. most times it's in a bid to gain press, but this time to to genuinely include a group of individuals.
It's also an idea that I can't believe none of the big companies have before.
Can't believe Adidas didn't beat them to it. But then nowadays Adidas is more fashion than purpose.
Whereas Nike is performace-fashion. They make you look good whilst aiding you physically.
But the idiotic responses don't half make you laugh.
Here are some examples (if you care at all about what they say):
I will NEVER buy anything Nike again! Their greed for $$ is so great now accommodating Muslims? No sharia law in America!!🇺🇸🇺🇸 #BOYCOTTNIKE pic.twitter.com/GW5TKWyMWx
— Pique (@Ptkay) March 9, 2017 Wow. You think he voted for Trump too?
Congratulations, @Nike for normalizing the oppression of women through the Pro Hijab. Disgusting.
— Connor R. Kenney (@realKenney) March 7, 2017 How woke of you sir. Maybe before being a social justice warrior you should see how the people it targets feel? Cause most don't see you view. Just a thought.
I will never buy another Nike product again. pic.twitter.com/xOI7MmmpqA
— #Sandy (@GSDDogLover) March 7, 2017 Nike mourns the loss of your money Sandy.
Here's what the model, Amna, had to say on her instagram:
“From my perspective as a former athlete who competed in Hijab, in the past, the big brands didn’t see the need or market for it as it was not ‘popular’ and it was unheard of to see women train, exercise and compete in hijab."
“It is a recent phenomenon where more women have expressed a need for it and more professional athletes have fought for rights to compete with a headscarf, and have an equal playing field. We made it big in the news, we couldn’t be ignored."
“As Muslim women, we have been vocal in the media abo
ut it – personally since 2011 – the big guys can’t help but notice us ‘the underdogs’ and our impact in the sports industry and world. They know that we are here to stay and decided to join the party and create another ‘competitive’ sport hijab in the market, which by the way, did exist in the market for few years now."
“As an innovative company, they will create products and they will meet market needs – whatever they may be. It is not dismissing any other hard work done in the past to develop sports hijabs, it’s just there is more competition in the market for modest clothing now."
“I support Muslim women with or without hijab, and how they dress is their choice. And with the Nike Sports Hijab, it surely will encourage a new generation of athletes to pursue sports professionally, and without us athletes who fought for this right and made it happen, Nike wouldn’t ‘just do it."
“Ps. This is purely my opinion on the matter, not paid for or asked to be written.”
I love that she had to make sure that she mentioned it wasn't a paid response. Because that's the first thing that those 'alpha-males' and 'warriors of peace and equality' are gonna say.
I think it's a beautiful idea that should be celebrated. Not put down because a very, very small minority of the religion it represents is a large threat in our world.
People are so blind sighted by these labels of terrorism that they forget the people that the hijab actually represents. Normal, average people.
I feel like this is an example of how fashion has made a difference.
Freedom and equality is a difference. Especially in such a judgemental world.
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