Thursday, May 20, 2004

Shirts that can make a difference

We all need to sacrifice sometimes in order to pursue ends that we find important. I am selling a couple of shirts at far below their normal price because I believe that it is important that the ideas that the shirts contain make it out to the public in a big way before the November election. I believe that the Bush for Emperor shirts and the Ashcroft tees can make an impact on the upcoming election if they are worn by a large number of people. I can't afford to give them away, but I can afford to forego any significant profits on them so that the important messages that these shirts carry can become widespread throughout the land. Ideas are powerful, but in order to have an impact they must be expressed. Please, if you are only going to pick up one shirt today, pick up one of these. Together we can make a difference.
MJ

I am a feminist (and not just because girls love the shirt)

feminism: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.

feminist: an individual that supports feminism.

Feminists believe that women shouldn't be treated as inferior members of society. Though the American public by and large supports the ideals of the feminist movement, the word "feminist" has been maligned over the past couple of decades. Feminists, despite their noble goals haven't been the best at managing their public image.

I feel that feminism has been unfairly and innacurately portrayed as a "radical fringe movement" and I created the feminist shirt specifically to counter the stereotype of feminists as a group of "militant, extremist man haters". Such a label innacurately ignores the myriad groups of people that advocate on behalf of feminist principles. I created the "feminist" shirt for guys in order to challenge and alter this stereotype. I am currently only making the shirts for guys simply because I believe that we will be most effective in countering this stereotype if we add males to the public face of the feminist movement. I will eventually be making shirts for women as well, but if there are members of the fairer sex that like to purchase baby doll style "feminist" shirts sooner rather than later, please contact me and express your interest. If there is a large enough response, I will move up the release date for the women's shirts.
MJ

Friday, May 14, 2004

The Clean Clothing Movement

The clean clothing movement is an idea whose time has come.

By supporting companies that use sweatshop practices we provide them with an incentive to continue exploiting workers. We can make a difference. Support companies that use fair labor practices. If we think that sweatshops are abhorrent, then we shouldn't buy products made in them. By choosing to buy "clean clothing" we are able to take a meaningful stand on the issue.

In business, the only votes that count are green.

We can talk about sweatshops until we are blue in the face, but until we stop buying products from companies that rely on the abuse of our fellow human beings we will perpetuate the current system.

Talk minus action equals zero.

Up until a few years ago, there were almost no "clean clothing" options available to the public. Fortunately this is changing. There are now a number of companies producing clothing with the use of fair labor practices. Every purchase from one of these companies is a vote for a more humane labor system. Help humanize the garment industry. Please support the handful of companies out there that are taking a stand on this important issue.
MJ