pavlovsdog

So here is a bit of a moral dilemma for me. One of the owners of Port City Java (the coffee shop where I work) works at Nike in Portland. He's vice president of something or another. (In actuality it just one of those titles big corporations like giving out because it makes the employees feel special.) So here is the deal, he wants to give me shoes. Really sweet ones too, because one of the departments he is over is the Skateboard department. The skate shoes are probably some of the coolest lines they have. The only thing is I hate Nike as a company. They offend my neo-hippie, pseudo-anarchist, post-skater punk, anti-corporate ideals. My main beef with them (besides the sweatshops) is that none of their products are made in the USA. Although there are few things made in the US anymore, although my preferred footwear manufacturer New Balance has several models that are completely made in the USA. (They even have some Made In England that are completely vegan friendly if any kind soul wants to buy me a Christmas present. UK size 10.5 ) Also I dont know how I could show myself in Asheville society with Nikes on. I mean this is a city that despises big corporations, unless they work for them, and tries to thwart their every move. I could never eat at Rosettas again. The hippies would throw their compost at me and gutter punks would throw their crusty dumpster doughnuts at me.
So do I set aside my morals, upset the itinerate Asheville populous, not to mention save some cash, and go for the free Nikes? I mean I'm not buying them, so I'm not really supporting Nike. Right? Or do I stick to my conventions and go forth barefoot with my head high until I have enough money to buy some other shoes?