Reactions that have even reached the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, have been provoked in England by Nike’s move to change the cross on the nation’s flag of the men’s national team, in an unprecedented demonstration of what “woke” really is.
Nike, which manufactures the uniforms of England’s national teams, revealed its new design this week, which it said pays tribute to the country’s men’s team that won the World Cup in 1966.
It does not feature the St. George’s Cross, which is red on a white background and is the national flag of England, but another one in shades of red, blue, and purple on the back of the shirt collar.
🔺 Update: The prime minister has criticised a decision by the brand Nike to change the colour of the St George’s cross on the official England team kit ⬇️ https://t.co/b3Rh1FRE9S
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) March 22, 2024
Nike characterized the change as an “update” aimed to “unite and inspire,” adding that the design “disrupts history with a modern take on the classic”.
However, this move has sparked reactions from some fans on social media, calling for the abolition of the new design.
Fans have lambasted the American sports giant for changing the traditional red cross with one that they describe as navy, blue, and purple on the jersey costing up to £125.
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who played in three World Cups for the national team, said there was no need to change the flag: “I think we’re seeing a lot of changes these days with different things, and I think the colors for England, like the ‘Three Lions’, are traditional,” he said on BBC radio.
England’s most capped goalkeeper, Peter Shilton, added: “This is wrong on every level. I am totally against it. Including the fee Nike will charge. I don’t agree with it. It’s woke. If you’re going to put the St. George’s Cross on a kit, something Nike has obviously done, then put it in the traditional colors. Like the three lions, they’re traditional”.
The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, told The Sun newspaper that Nike should reconsider the design.
Conservative MP Mark Francois told MailOnline: “We’re about a month from St George’s Day, when we celebrate our Englishness in an upbeat, positive way, just as Americans celebrate the 4th of July. This is wokery gone mad and they should knock it on the head”.
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However, the English Football Association insisted that it would not withdraw the jersey, stating in a statement this afternoon: “We are very proud of the red and white St. George’s Cross – the flag of England. We understand what it means to our fans, and how it unites and inspires, and it will be prominently displayed at Wembley tomorrow – as always – when England plays Brazil.”
Pressure is mounting on the high-paid executives who signed off on the changes to the St. George’s Cross. Critics questioned whether the Oregon-based company, valued at £122 billion, would dare to change the colors of the stars and stripes on the American football jersey.
Sunak’s Reaction
“When it comes to our national flags, we should not tamper with them because they are a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they are perfect as they are,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said today (22/3), following Nike’s decision.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that he ‘prefers the original’ England shirt, as he waded into a row over Nike’s decision to change the colour of the St George’s Cross on its new jerseyhttps://t.co/C3eNCvMq5R pic.twitter.com/qaKgYUnfEB
— ITV News Politics (@ITVNewsPolitics) March 22, 2024
What does “woke” mean?
“Woke” is an adjective that generally means “awareness against racial prejudices and discriminations.” The term has a negative connotation, while the culture associated with this particular ideology is accused of being excessive and often violating freedom of speech. Additionally, the woke culture is criticized for being used by the system to promote neoliberal policies, disguised with political correctness and the promotion of various social groups (such as LGBTQ+, feminists, BLM activists, etc.).
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