Wednesday, September 12, 2012

"Does Nike’s ‘Greatness’ Ad Exploit Fat People?"



Review by Dominique Fitzgerald in KIN 501

The article takes a look at various people’s reaction of seeing the new ‘Greatness’ ad from Nike featuring Nathan Sorrell an overweight 12 year old boy. Many people found that the ad was refreshing, inspiring, and amazing something Nike would normally not do; whereas others may have found the ad to be unclear or another way to combat myths. In my opinion I believe the Nike’s ‘Greatness’ ad focuses on the everyday person trying to achieve greatness whether its through running to loose weight, wheelchair racing, or playing soccer.

According to the article Dr. David Katz Editor-in-chief of the journal Childhood Obesity found the ad ambivalent because he was uneasy with the message that Nathan is chasing greatness by running. I do not think Dr. David Katz took in the idea that making the choice to become healthier by running that Nathan was making the choice to be greater. I also found that the ad helps people focus on their obstacles and how finding one’s greatness through their obstacles can bring pleasure into one’s life. Also Dr. Katz did not realize that greatness does not come over night but it is something that one has to work at everyday. So for millions of Americans to see Nathan in the early stages of his greatness is inspiring.

Based on the article other people believed that the ad is attacking the myths or notions that obese and overweight people are lazy, live for junk food, and are lacking in willpower or self-discipline. I found myself agreeing that the commercial does fight the pre-conceived notion that obese/overweight children are not trying to fight against obesity or being overweight because it seems people are very quick to generalize one form of demographic based on a few. Rochman further expresses my opinion by stating that, “ by featuring and overweight boy in their ad ( in a respectful manner), Nike challenges the stereotype that overweight youth are inactive, and shows that body size has nothing to do with a person’s ambition or ability to push themselves to achieve their goals. America has put greatness on a petiole that it is something that is allotted to a few people and everyone else has to stand by and watch others achieve it. I believe Nike is stating is that greatness is not given to certain individuals but greatness is simply having the guts to make a choice to become greater than who or what we are in essence it is centered around respect.

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