Ever since Nike launched its 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign last year, the company has been in a league of its own when it comes to putting out seriously powerful ads.
If you didn’t shed a tear after watching this all-inspiring Colin Kaepernick ad from a few months ago, then you definitely don’t have a soul.
Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they’re crazy enough. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/Wd5L42egV8
— Nike (@Nike) September 5, 2018
Just when you thought Nike couldn’t possibly top that ad, they have gone and done the impossible with their latest “Just Do It” masterpiece.
The 90-second ad calls out the god-awful trend of female athletes (and women in general) being called “crazy” and offers up a powerful rebuttal by highlighting the accomplishments, determination, and perseverance through adversity of glass ceiling-shattering female athletes.
And arguably the best bit of this ad is that the whole thing is narrated by the greatest tennis player – arguably the greatest athlete – of all time, Serena Williams, someone who is no stranger to hardship and discrimination.
If you were looking to accomplish something productive today, then spend the next 90 seconds of your life watching Nike’s latest magnum opus right here. You’d be crazy not to.
Show them what crazy dreams can do. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/3fo2XMVkBT
— Nike (@Nike) February 24, 2019
With stories of sexism, gender discrimination, and awful things women have to face everyday coming up seemingly every week, it is incredibly heartening to hear Serena say things like:
“A woman competing in a hijab, changing her sport, landing a double cork 1080, or winning 23 Grand Slams, having a baby, and then coming back for more? Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, and crazy.
“So if they want to call you crazy, fine. Show them what crazy can do.”
We’re definitely living in odd times in which the most powerful rebuttals to horrible sentiments are being delivered via ads. I mean, Gillette recent dropped their own powerful ad on toxic masculinity and that was just brilliant next-level stuff.
If this is what being called crazy can accomplish, then sign me up for more crazy straight away.