As Far As I Can Tell

T-shirt Politics

While in New York I stopped into one of Urban Outfitters’ flagship, hipper than normal stores. In the basement, near the back, they had a huge selection of printed T-shirts. Most were styled to look used and from the 70’s, saying stupid or silly things. There was a really disturbing one though, printed with patriotic colors and proclaiming Voting is for Old People on the front. The design is supposedly ironic, but really just irresponsible. It promotes the idea that voting “isn’t cool”, which will be taken at face value by many of their younger and trend whoring patrons. Similar in nature, though not as direct is the American Rat Race shirt.

What’s going on here? Why are politics being so blatantly ignored and dismissed by fashion designers? There’s a fine line between irony and apathy, and if ironic critique of our two party system was the goal of this design, then it horribly failed. Or maybe it’s only ironic if paired with a trucker cap.

Another news story about the issue can be found here, and MTV News has a video clip about it.

Update: 3/1/2004
NPR aired a story about the T-shirt controversy today. They also named the designers, Vintage Vantage, who are responding to the negative press in the most immature fashion possible. An example is the February 18th post on their press page where they make fun of Kat Storemski, the woman featured in the MTV interview by calling her a “dork” and making this mocking graphic. The next post makes fun of Russell Simmons for speaking out, and a glance at their product page for the shirt calls upon “the Camp Cool faithful” to support them. So yes, we’re dealing with assholes here.

View Comments (10)

# February 26, 2004 04:22 PM


 

Comments

Tounge-in-cheek irony— maybe… Or it could this be a move by the Republican-party-contributing Urban Outfitters owner Richard Hayne to dissuade his liberal clientele from voting…

Posted by: Craig on February 27, 2004 12:36 PM

I agree, voting & political activism should be taken more seriously. I respect anyone who acts on their ideals, even if I don’t agree w/ them. Voting is for old people? Stupid. Voting is for everyone.

Posted by: miguel on February 27, 2004 1:45 PM

On the other hand … voting evidence suggests that older people do tend to vote more (something that I hope will change). But also that older people tend to vote Democratic more than younger people (surprise, surprise). The reason? Older people (our grandparents’ generation) grew up & were politically socialized under FDR. Most voting behavior along party ID (about 60%) can be explained by how your mother voted when you were an adolescent. So, for older people, that’s Democratic. Younger people tend to vote Republican, since they grew up under Reagan. Ironic, eh? We always think older people are more conservative.

Posted by: miguel on February 27, 2004 1:48 PM

Wow. Yeah, they sound like real assholes. Then again, I wonder if people are over-reacting, even giving these jerks the attention they crave? I saw Harvard got involved in the debate. Aren’t there more important political topics today? Either way. Wow. What assholes (the shirt people).

Posted by: miguel on March 2, 2004 1:39 PM

hey folks — john & matt & heather & holden & nacho here. we’re the asshole/jerk/immature shirt people you wanna know why we did it? because it’s funny! it’s funny when people take themselves too seriously and take offense with something that is NOT OFFENSIVE! did you SEE the kat storemski video? she threw her shirt into her tiny little garbage can and it fell over! i’m sorry, but that’s not COOL in anybody’s book. even nacho knows that. so, sorry if we’ve upset you in any way, just know that it was not intentional at all. we like making people smile, we like making people think, that’s all. thanks, the camp cool staffers

Posted by: Vintage Vantage on March 4, 2004 3:19 AM

hi from Florida… “camp cool”? lol uhh yeah sure Here is another quote from Dumb and Dumber for you (besides the senior citizen one you used) Lloyd: Man! You are one pathetic loser! I hope that with a degree from Yale I could be doing more than copying t-shirts. Have a nice day!

Posted by: Rob (Kat's Friend) on March 4, 2004 12:51 PM

If you want to protest the “Voting is for old people” T-shirt, there’s not a “Vote, F*cker” T-shirt. You can get it here: http://www.votefcker.com/

Posted by: miguel on March 4, 2004 2:06 PM

Date: March 4, 2004 To: All concerned voters From: VotingIs Youth Respond to Urban Outfitters New York, NY�As thousands of young soldiers return from their brave tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, it shocks us to see Urban Outfitters newest t-shirt design. We firmly oppose Urban Outfitters Chairman & CEO Richard Hayne, who is trying to profit from his damaging message that voting is just for old people. Based on our experiences at Princeton, other college campuses and on political campaigns, we believe Hayne could not be farther from the truth. Voting is NOT just for old people. Young people have a critical role to play in the future of our democracy. We believe that Urban Outfitters� message that voting isn�t cool is counterproductive and harmful to the country�s health. It is essential that young people get involved, get interested, and VOTE. We have created a line of products that firmly states, �Voting is for young people.� We want all concerned voters, young and old, to join us in protest. We need to make a statement that young people care, and that politicians in Washington need to listen. We plan to donate 5% of our proceeds to Youth Vote, a non-partisan coalition working to increase the political involvement of millions of Americans. Founding coalition members include Black Youth Vote, Rock the Vote, Student PIRGs and the U.S. Student Association. Support our work. Visit www.votingis.com and make your voice heard.

Posted by: Ben Grossman on March 4, 2004 5:55 PM

somehow i feel my typical smart-assed response to a thread like this is rather useless at this point and would just further underline typical youth apathy towards voting. however, i must say that a pro- or anti- voting t-shirt will ultimately not harm or help the turn out in youth voting. but press like this certainly will help t-shirt sales! whoooo! go capitalism! cash in now, honey. also, both shirts are lacking in any sort of design aesthetic… are overpriced… and i wouldn’t be caught dead in either.

Posted by: e_prime on March 5, 2004 12:56 PM

yep, e, you’re right. i also think the t-shirt controversy is much ado about nothing. but. there you have it. i think a cool slogan would be: “vote, if you want to, i mean, it’s your choice”

Posted by: miguel on March 5, 2004 7:11 PM

As far as who can tell?


Chicago, IL

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