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People debating Nike’s Kaepernick ads are missing an opportunity: Using shareholder activism to make their voices heard.

People debating Nike’s Kaepernick ads are missing an opportunity: Using shareholder activism to make their voices heard.

Sportswear company Nike has received both praise and condemnation for its decision to make former NFL quarterback and racial justice advocate Colin Kaepernick the face of its 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign. Many astute commentators have already noted that Nike, as a giant, publicly traded corporation, is laser-focused on making profits and maximizing value for its shareholders. From making political donations to Republicans and Democrats in roughly equal amounts to simultaneously sponsoring both Kaepernick and the league that has allegedly colluded to keep him off the field, Nike has shown that it is an equal opportunity offender–spreading its bets around for the higher purpose of making money for company owners. One of the narratives being pushed in the now-politicized world of business is that companies must take a side on contentious issues. Doing so cements their reputations as either “good” or “bad” to many consumers, depending on their perspectives; they may then support or boycott products accordingly. So, is Nike good or bad? Conservatives can find much to dislike about the company’s recent decision to give Kaepernick a more high-profile role in its ad campaign. Liberals can find fault with Nike’s failure to live up to internationally recognized labor

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Understanding the roots of Islamic social activism: The Pact of Chivalry

“Even if red camels were offered to me in exchange for the Pact of Chivalry, I would not accept them.” – Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Azzad has taken on a leading role in financial activism and social justice of late. This is inspired in part by an instance in the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he joined the Hilf-ul-Fudul, or Pact of Chivalry. The Pact of Chivalry was an agreement among certain tribes of Arabia that began prior to Muhammad’s prophethood. Its purpose was largely economic, aiming to ensure safe and orderly access to markets and eliminate oppression and injustice. It was the result of a shaky truce among tribes following one of Arabia’s many wars in the sixth century CE. Part non-aggression pact and part social justice regime, the group’s members pledged to help — without discrimination — anyone who had been wronged in Mecca, to aid the weak and downtrodden against the powerful. Muhammad’s clan, and by extension the man himself, agreed to take part. One of the most important clauses in the oath of the Pact of Chivalry was a call for “equity in society.” This meant that even the humblest

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