The first amendment is absolutely an integral and necessary part of our society, and we implore everyone to embrace it to its fullest.

And while we are glad people are exercising their right to free speech over the Colin Kaepernick situation, we believe everyone needs to take a step back and review the whole situation before jumping out of their chair and burning or simply destroying, in some fashion, their Nike clothing.

If you have not heard, on Labor Day, Nike revealed a new ad campaign by releasing an ad with Colin Kaepernick’s face tagged with the saying, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Less than instantly, Twitter users were at their keyboard to inform the internet of their disapproval of the ad, along with photos and videos of some burning their Nike clothing and even cutting off the Nike logo from some clothes.

Everyone: Just take a deep breath.

Approve, disapprove, indifferent or whatever you feel about the ad, before doing or saying anything just consider the background of the situation.

Whether or not you agree with Kaepernick’s stance on kneeling during the anthem, consider everything.

First and foremost, Nike, by releasing this ad, is not saying it is agreeing with or condoning Kaepernick’s past behavior, although Nike could if it wanted to. Nike is not picking a side in the whole police brutality “debate,’ and Nike is not saying they think Kaepernick is right. Nike is not really saying anything with this move.

If anything, Nike is just showing that they are willing to use a controversial public figure for their own benefit.

Honestly, we do not know what Nike thinks about the whole debate that Kaepernick has sparked with his kneeling, until it tells us.

Nike is releasing this ad to do exactly what you are doing by responding the way you are: getting people to talk about them. No press is bad press, and by letting just a simple ad stir you up like this, you are just helping Nike’s name stay relevant.

Secondly, make sure you know everything about Kaepernick.

Yes, he knelt during the national anthem, but it is for a good reason that needs to be discussed. He is sharing his opinion, something you all are doing by going to Twitter to complain about it. Many people, including veterans, have applauded Kaepernick for using his platform to try and bring change to a crucial part of society.

And, if anything, Nike’s ad brings Kaepernick and his purpose back to relevance, which is good so that we can have this conversation again about why he knelt in the first place.

So, if you want to share your opinion on the internet, go ahead. If you want to burn or destroy Nike clothing, go ahead. You have a first amendment right to do so.

But really think about it.

Is losing very nice and possibly expensive clothing over one simple ad really going to affect you that much, when the ad has no relevance on the quality of clothing?