Conversation With a Nike Reporter

[The following is a conversation I had with a Nike reporter who posted on my blog. As I have stated to him, other than blanking out my phone #, this is our e-conversation in its entirety. I don't trust reporters because I have been misquoted and thus have decided to post this conversation in its entirety. --EDJ]

Eugene--

I'm doing a story for American Indian Report re: the new Nike Native show. I found your thoughts interesting--can you e-mail me as soon as possible, so we could talk?

Rob
Rob Capriccioso

Uh, what's your e-mail address. I can't find how to get a hold of you on your website.

mine is:

kbooindian@yahoo.com
Eugene

H Eugene,

Just saw your comment. I'm a reporter with American Indian Report
magazine working on a tight deadline regarding the new Native Nike
show. I'd like to speak
with you about these developments as soon as possible -- let me know
if you're available by phone, or could answer a few questions via
e-mail tonight.

All the best,

Rob Capriccioso

Hey Rob,

My number is ************. I have to go get my kid. 2:30 PST Should be back by 4 to answer questions preferrably by e-mail, call if necessary. I'm also waiting for my wife to call for an herb class if we're gonna meet there or if she is gonna come home first, not that you needed to know all that.

Thanks

more later, REVOLUTION NOW!

Eugene

If you can answer these questions ASAP via e-mail, I would much appreciate it:

Are you a member of a tribe?

What's your full name?

I've noted that you are critical of the Native Nike shoes -- do you have a problem with the feathers that are displayed on their soles and the general imagery of the product (rainbows, sunshine)? Do you think Nike should have released the shoes without these images? If so, why?

Do you think it's strange to think that, based on Nike's research, the average Indian foot is of a different size than the average non-Indian's foot?

Do you think Nike's attempts with the shoe are noble?

Would you buy these shoes? Do you think the average Indian would?

Nike says it's trying to combat obesity via this effort. Do you think there's a better way?

Should Nike have any role in trying to combat Indian obesity?

I look forward to your responses.

Rob

http://deathandconscience.blogspot.com/2007/09/better-than-moccasins.html

First of all, Rob, I have a few questions for you that you are not required to answer. By the way, I will be posting this on my blog. As well, the above link goes into great detail as to the opinion of my wife, Shusli (Rhonda) Baseler-Johnson on her blog.

My name is Eugene Douglas Johnson. I was given the name He Who Laughs A Lot by an auntie about 15 years ago. I was adopted into the Blackfoot about 7 years ago and given the name He Who Lives by the Shore (Itsu Tapi Kuwan). I am a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz with Alsea, Klickitat, and Lower Umpqua ancestry, as well as Finnish, English, Dutch, Scots, and Irish.

My questions for you are as follows:

I recently heard that Nike has a Native American think tank or something like that. Do they have a white think tank? Mexican? Black? Asian? European? Etc.

You've made mention of some Nike Show, what is that about?

Who are you? How'd you become a reporter? Do you work for or are affiliated with Nike? How old are you? Are you Indian?

Now to move on to your questions, which I will answer with a statement more than specifically:

Indians are going to buy those shoes no matter what I have to say. Period. So, if you are employed by Nike, please do not think that my statements about the shoe will in any way effect the sales of such.

In my opinion, the whole idea is racist.

This is a branding scheme of advertising that Nike is known for. It is focusing specifically on the Indian market, however, I have no doubt that the sales folks are hoping that Indian sympathizers and the general public will be thinking of how Nike is so charitable in thinking of the Indians. Thus, increasing sales through the usual brand of Nike branding advertising.

Nike is NOT concerned with Native health. They are concerned with opening up new markets and increasing stock values. If Nike and Phil were actually interested in Indian health, they would be helping Indians, especially on the most impoverished reservations, get HEALTHY FOOD for one (Pine Ridge's poverty creates conditions of very poor food choices as they can only buy what they can afford or eat that shit commodity food). They would also be doing something like, say, helping build gyms for Indians to work out in on, say, on IMPOVERISHED Indian reservations such as...Pine Ridge or Rosebud or the Burns Paiute. But they don't. Instead, Phil has donated $200 million to the University of Oregon, an organization I can easily link to the genocide happening against the Akha folks who are indigenous to SE Asia. If you are interested, go to www.akha.org. If not, ignore that statement like most folks do.

Now to answer questions more specifically:

Do you think it's strange to think that, based on Nike's research, the
average Indian foot is of a different size than the average
non-Indian's foot?

I have a friend who is a former archaeologist Ph.D candidate. We talked about skulls one time as I was trying to nail him down on some issues I had with the Kennewick Man case. He informed me that as far as skull shape and size, there is more variance within the group than between the groups. In other words, the skull shape and size between individuals of the Spokanes will vary greater within the Spokanes than say as compared to the Umatillas. So, it is my belief that at best, it is disingenuous.

Do you think Nike's attempts with the shoe are noble?

Noble? Please! Nike, as a corporation, cares only about one thing, the bottom line. As stated previously, I do not believe Nike cares about Indian health and obesity because there are better methods to actually deal with it. I can't wait to see some 300 pound Indian standing in the powwow frybread line wearing a pair of Nike shoes. He won't be doing any jumping jacks.

Would you buy these shoes? Do you think the average Indian would?

Pardon me for being blunt, but FUCK NO, I won't be buying any of these shoes or ANY Nikes anytime soon. It is virtually impossible, yes, to buy any clothing in this nation anymore from anywhere that doesn't have a base in a foreign nation where their clothing is made in sweat shops of one variance or another. I would prefer some option that, say, I could buy clothes from folks who pay an above living wage. Not one where the CEO has exorbidant amounts of money while many of his foreign employees suffer sometimes horrifically. That's what I would like. And yes, Indians will be buying these shoes as a STATUS symbol, not so they'll doing jumping jacks any time soon.

The rest of your questions I believe I answered with my previous statement.

Now, I see this as racist because the company is branding using Native Americans as a symbol to garner Native and Native sympathizers FOR SALES PURPOSES, not for ANY genuine desire to combat obesity as you are attempting to suggest.

Pardon me for my bluntness, but if you knew me, you wouldn't have expected it any other way. My wife is much kinder at bashing this bullshit, so I would suggest you read her post.

Thanks for being interested in my opinion, and the reason I will be posting this on my blog is, as other reporters have been occasionally interested in my opinion of various subjects, like war for instance, have MISQUOTED me. I hope you don't mind.

I would also like a link or transcript or something of the article, and I will post that as well, IN ITS ENTIRETY.

My concerns are for a better world for EVERYONE to live in. I don't see it heading that way with a profit driven economy that doesn't have ANY GENUINE concern for the health of not only Natives, but honestly, of its entire population (watch "Sicko"). That said, I hope some of this will be posted in your article. I kinda doubt you will, and that is OK, I've done that to a few folks as well.

I could say more, but damn, there is only so many hours in the day.

Thanks for your interest in my opinion, I hope you find it useful or at least educational.

more later, REVOLUTION NOW!

Sincerely,

Eugene Douglas Johnson

Thanks so much for your responses, Eugene. I'm a member of the Sault
Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and have reported for several
years on various Indian issues.

Rob

Rob,

I appreciate your interest in my opinion. I know it is not the type of opinion you are looking for, and that is OK.

Thanks Anyway!

more later, REVOLUTION NOW!

Eugene Douglas Johnson