In My White Tee

From defining the lower-class blue collar industry during the 40's - to Michael Jackson ripping his open during the 90's - the white tee is one of the most powerful creations of our times. And now, even in the year 2010... the white tee still stands out as a phenomenon. An iconic fashion chameleon: always the same, but yet able to change the way you see it.

A few weeks ago, I was on the bus and I was talking with a young black guy, about 20-something and he was rocking a white tee. I asked him why so many young men are always rockin' the big baggy white tee during the summer. (I've also seen it during the winter as well!) The original stigma behind the white tee, was about being blank of power - this was due to working-class/blue collar men that first wore tees as industrial underwear back during the early 1900's. But this young man told me that it was now being used as a way of not being profiled or wrongly accused. My eyes widened. And then, for the first time, I got it.


Cop: "Mam... did you see anyone? What the guy look like?"
Witness: "Well... he was a young black man, 'bout this tall, wearing baggy jeans, and a white tee."
Cop: (Looking around the block) "Well... $#*! that could be anybody."

See what I'm saying?

But I also think it says a lot about how some in society view younger African-American men who they see dressed in this manner: as lower-class, uneducated, and... BLANK OF POWER.

But at the same time... don't get it twisted. Yes, the big baggy white tee is being rocked with the latest skateboard and Sean White sunglasses. Yep, white boys love the way black rappers and 'boyz n' the hood' rock the tees with the NBA logos and the latest gym shoes. You see... today the "hoop dream" is no longer a 'black thing' - and the white tee serves as a defining symbol of "brotha-hood", crossing racial, community, and class lines.

As men, we all connect to the white tee due to how it has allowed us to grow up, live our lives, and experience various situations that have involved REAL blood, sweat, and tears. And who can deny all of those late-night stains from Oreos and Thai food leftovers?

In closing... the white tee is and always will be a neutral platform for expression. No other item of apparel has made such a social, emotional, and psychological impact. It's neither evil nor good, Democratic or Republican. It's Liberal but yet, Conservative. Bi-Partisan, but yet, Independent. No matter where you at. True 'dat.
_______________________________________________________

Check out 'Dem Franchize Boys' video: "In My White Tee"