Brandelyn: Lyrical Contradiction

            Yesterday was one of THE most beautiful things I have ever participated in. Before I get into it, let me give those of you who didn’t get my one million emails a quick background.

            Most of you know about the Rutgers Nappy Headed Ho’s shirt that we were able to have removed from the store Futura here in Berkeley. However, on Tuesday night I received a bunch of frantic phone calls telling me that the store had a shirt with a clown in black face hanging in the front window, next to a t-shirt depicting several bodies hanging from a large tree. Needless to say, something needed to be done.

            The following day, yesterday, we rallied over 70 Black, Asian, Latino, and Native American students, graduate students, alumni and staff together on Sproul. Channels 5, 11, and 2 were there along with the Daily Cal newspaper and a radio station. Donning Ragamuffin Clothing Company and “Represent” t-shirts the entire group walked down Telegraph Avenue to Futura. It was amazing. I wish I could have been there to see it from the outside. So we walked in and I asked to speak to the manager at which everyone in the store got extremely nervous. The store manager came down and with three news cameras and microphones and reporters there, I explained to him that WE were offended by the t-shirts that were being displayed and that WE demanded that not only those shirts but every racially offensive shirt in their store be taken down. I also let him know that WE would be staging a formal boycott against their store until they reversed the negative images the constantly reflected in their store.

            The entire event was beautiful. I did most of the talking along with my dear friend Keyanna and it was so amazing to look behind me, in front of me, all around and see people of color standing together in solidarity. It gives me chills literally to think about it.

            To his credit, the manager was completely willing to help, and allowed us to do a walk through and take down all of the offensive shirts and is truly willing to search out other vendors who have t-shirts reflecting positive messages. So if you all know of anyone, please email me their information, let’s get the movement going.

            As of today, I had a phone interview with the Oakland Tribune and they are also going to be turning the focus of this issue away from the companies that make those terrible shirts back onto companies that are about change and uplifting people. That’s what it’s about. I’m getting all kinds of emails and phone calls from media and attorney’s and other interested parties who want to join with us in making a change. No one can tell me that change can’t happen. This is one of THE most beautiful things I have seen.

            As for the next steps, the boycott is still on. Ragamuffin Clothing www.ragamufinclothing.com , a clothing company a friend of mine started a few years ago, met with the manager of Futura this morning and has sold several designs to be carried not only in Futura but in Rasputin, which is a music store, owned by the same person. We are now seeking out other vendors who carry the same message of positivity. We are continuing our email campaign against the company that created this shirt and hopefully with all of this press and media attention we will be able to break ground. 

            It is amazing to me that this type of change can happen in such a short amount of time. I am excited to see what will come of all of all of this and I will definitely keep you all posted!
Peace Y’all

B