“Pride” Sneakers: Cultural Statement … Or Good Marketing?

Sneaker companies love releasing themed collections nowadays. Christmas, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, you name it and there’s probably a sneaker (if not a few) that are released to commemorate the occasion.

One thing sneaker companies love to commemorate is LBGTQ pride. No matter if it’s pride day, weekend, or month, Nike, adidas, and more brands love to release colorful kicks to show their unity with the LBGTQ community. It’s lead to some interesting collabs and some colorful kicks … but we’ve gotta wonder just one thing: are these sneakers a real cultural statement and a show of support, or just some masterful marketing?

Before you jump down our throats, take a look at some of these things: does any money from the sale of these shoes or their apparel collections go to support LBGTQ causes and foundations? If not, then they’re not really supporting … they’re just leveraging a cause to line their own pockets. Are they using a movement as a grassroots marketing campaign? They just might be. Just because they say they support doesn’t really mean anything at all if they’re not putting their money where their collective mouths are.

We can’t say for sure, but we would advise you to be wary of the marketing. Maybe they are doing good and supporting a good cause … but maybe they’re just profiteering off the backs of the cause. If you’re really as “woke” as you think you are, be sure to keep an eye out.

 

What do you think of LBGTQ collections? Do you think they’re good for the cause, or are they just a shameless cash grab? Hit us up and let us know in the comments or on Twitter, check our Facebook page for daily updates, and, as always, be sure to follow us on Instagram for all the fire sneaker pictures you can handle.

RDwyer


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