Unlike ten years ago when graphic tees read ‘Princess’ and ‘Juicy’ in rhinestones, these days they are a new frontier for activism. At 19-years-old Olatiwa Karade runs an Etsy shop that tells it like it is. No bullshit, no mincing words, Karade’s slogan sweatshirts are truth-telling protest pieces.
Wittingly part of a lauded history of political clothing, Karade’s sweats stand alongside Katherine Hamnett’s rallying t-shirts and Otherwild’s ‘The Future Is Female’ top. Her work expresses sentiments around race, heritage and microaggressions. The pullovers, in different shades of brown – amber, sand, Kobicha, chocolate and chestnut – and black, are stamped with statements like ‘Worthy Of Humanity’, ‘Africa Is Not A Country’ and ‘Don’t Touch Me Don’t Touch My Hair Don’t Touch My Culture’.
It’s with little surprise that in just three days Karade’s company Splendid Rain Co has racked up over 1,000 followers on Instagram. Though currently sold out, Karade promises to restock her online store ASAP.
Where do her slogans come from? 'I have a notebook I’m always scribbling in that I keep on me pretty much all the time. Whenever I find myself in a situation where I’ve read something offensive online, or I get bombarded by a disrespectful/insensitive question in real life, I write down my immediate reaction before doing anything else. Which to be honest, is generally “Fam WTF?” But after that, I use my thoughts to put together a clear, coherent, relatable message.' She explains to The Debrief.
She's got a pretty clear idea about why they sold out so fast, 'They’re so popular because they tell the truth!' She explains, 'I’ve had hundreds of people reach out to me and thank me for speaking to their personal experiences. The sweaters are necessary. Hateful and ignorant people have become nothing but bolder in this political climate. The messages on the sweaters I produce are a rallying call for marginalised people to stand up and shield themselves from repulsive beliefs about our existence.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.