Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
The T-shirt Dilemma
I’ve started an Anarchist Running Brigade (hey, if Boston can have an Anarchist Drinking Brigade, then why not start a group that will allow anarchists to burn off those calories). Right now, I’m the only member. But when the masses of anti-authoritarian runners hear about it, I’m sure they’re going to want a cool t-shirt to show their devotion to the cause. So, if you do launch a t-shirt business, would we be able to put in orders from you for t-shirts with customized messages and graphics? No need to answer now. But I’ll sign on as a customer if you do allow customized shirts.
Posted by Runnin' Rebel Hand on from Arlington, Virginia 01/04 at 02:31 PMIf they’re able to be customized, they’re okay. I used to like message T-shirts much more when I was young. I’ve gotten a little cynical about them as I age. Now, I treat them primarily as a social props.
If you had a clothing company (ethical, organic, union etc...), Mickey, that would be very cool.
Posted by harry on from 01/04 at 02:55 PMThe trouble is: With minimal capital and time, customization, ethical, organic, union etc. are hard to pull off...and that could sink the boat before it floats. When Rich Joseph gets back from Bolivia, he and I and another friend, Jenn, plan to talk about this.
Who knows? I’m getting busier working at the gym and I’m close to getting another book deal. There are only so many hours in the goddamned day.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from 01/04 at 03:21 PMI hear ya. I’m sure I’d find some of the messages on your off-the-rack T-shirts appealing, given that you are definitely the king of radical one-liners.
Posted by Mark Hand on from 01/04 at 03:29 PMI’ve been wanting to make this T-shirt that Homer was wearing on the Simpsons. Always makes me laugh.
I’ve always enjoyed message shirts. It’s a nice way to adverstise something other then a sports team or a mainstream label of some sort. Have you thought of making other kinda of message clothing? Pants, sweaters, hoodys, etc?
have you checked out adbusters black spot sneakers? Sounds right up your ally.
http://adbusters.org/metas/corpo/blackspotsneaker/
Peace,
Posted by Luna_C on from Great White North West 01/04 at 04:48 PMLet’s not get too crazy here. I haven’t even dipped my toe in the t-shirt pool yet. But, I must admit, the images you sent are pretty cool.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from 01/04 at 05:16 PMJello Biafra came to Dublin awhile back and was a complete failure. He came on his “spoken word” tour, and it was a sham. He feels he enlightens people by reading quotes from The Nation, and The Guardian (in Ireland!), amongst other publications, and then begs for more money.
He asked the audience if America was trying to get Ireland into the war effort. (the only time this guy asked a question of the audience) A girl in the front row yelled back that the U.S. military refuels at Shannon Airport, and sends troops and weapons through. (even though we’re supposed to be neutral). She told Jello he should have the courtesy to know this. Right away, he accused her of being drunk. (Great reaction, shows that he loves to gobble up stereotypes. And, by the way, she wasn’t drunk). They get into a yelling match, and he gets security to remove her. SEctions of the crowd leave in protest, and he acts like a deer in headlights for awhile. No wonder he only speaks at the audience during his shows.
I’ve heard varying accounts on his action against his former bandmates, and to be honest, I’m not convinced of his story.Posted by mike on from dublin 01/05 at 06:45 AMThanks, Mike. Honestly, I’m not exactly well-versed on the topic of Jello Biafra...but your post reinforces the need to not personalize issues or causes. So-called “leaders” are flawed humans weaned in a predatory world of haves and have-nots. Jello might have something to offer to the world...but if we put too much focus on him and his personality, when he inevitably lets us down, the issues he’s involved in will become devalued, too.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from 01/05 at 01:18 PMMickey, I have a couple of ideas about message shirts and stuff. I’d like to contact you via email if that’s okay.
Posted by harry on from 01/05 at 11:10 PMSure, Harry…
Posted by Mickey Z. on from 01/06 at 05:33 AMI’ll agree with the statement about personalizing most causes or issues, however, in this case, these shirts are fundraising for Jello’s personal defense fund. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to consider his personal motives and actions when judging whether or not to support his case. As for Alternative Tentacles, I support a lot of its work. However, this is not about Alternative Tentacles, its about Biafra asking for money for his legal defense.
And to answer your original question, message tee shirts have no place in the public arena. If people need to read a shirt to learn that Bush favors big business, then we’re in serious trouble. I’m against people using themselves as billboards in any way, I think it’s ridiculous.Posted by Mike on from dublin 01/07 at 07:29 AMI agree with you. If Biafra is rude and offensive and then asks you for money to help himself, you’d be more than justified to decline.
As for message shirts, I typically don’t wear them...but I can appreciate them. In a society in which we are bombarded with corporate-sponsored ads, it’s helpful to publicly display one’s rejection on that paradigm.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from 01/07 at 01:48 PMI agree with much of the above discussion-it is sad that bumber stickers(yes i have a car) and political tshirts do get the atttention of the humbled ( and often ignorant masses) but it is effective--i occassionally wear my poitical “billboard” tshirts to my office and i am always amazed at the discussion and rhetoric that they generate-godd and bad, but at least it gets people talking. One of my favorites is a quote from Ghandi:"an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"--i have to say i think some right wing rednecks might get it------i am in for the tshirt campaign-----in an imperfect world we have to use radical and imperfect tools to get the message out---thanks for all your good work
peace
Posted by scott jamison on from virginia 01/08 at 06:00 AMThanks, Scott...the comments above display a range of opinions and perhaps illustrate how topics such as this have no right or wrong approach. There are cases where t-shirts and bumper stickers sadly trivialize and commodify important issues...and other cases where they can provoke much-needed critical thought. As Scott implies: There are no perfect choices.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from 01/08 at 12:40 PM
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