College students are encouraged daily to get out and “Rockthe Vote” from political groups such as the CollegeRepublican Alliance and College Democrats and media-relatedcompanies such as MTV and Cox Communications. Targeting potentialyouth voters such as taken on a new level — fashion.
The Original Leftys clothing line targeting youth with protestT-shirts complete with clever political sayings and a touch ofvintage flair. Coridan Danziger, founder of The Original Leftysclothing line, developed the idea after seeing a shirt thatdiscouraged youth from voting.
“After Coridan saw this shirt, something inside of himclicked,” said Brandon Lee Keropian, part co-owner andvice-president of global relations for The Original Leftys Clothingline. “This is our way of fighting, saying that we are youngand we vote.”
The clothing line began as a small project and now has expandedto dozens of boutiques and department stores in Los Angeles and NewYork. The shirt’s 15 different designs are under thecreativity of former Von Dutch and Third Rail Clothing artist, RaviDosaj.
The shirts feature fervent anti-George W. Bush messages such as,”$130 billion spent in Iraq and all I got was this lousyT-shirt,” and “Left is Right” sported in an arrayof colors.
“The idea for vintage style T-shirts was because we do notwant to put out anything we wouldn’t wear,” Keropiansaid.
As students on campuses in New York and California proudlysupport the protest against the Bush administration and the war inIraq, some University students are hesitant about it going toofar.
“He is still our president and this completely disrespectshis office and the fact that he is the leader of ourcountry,” said Catherine Ferris, a biology senior. “Itis freedom of speech but it also is taking advantage of those whoare not politically educated.”
Some University students are upset with the continuing negativefocus on the Bush administration.
“If people knew the whole story they would know there ismore to his presidency,” said Ashley Swaney, a nursingsophomore. “People spend too much time on the negative thingsand do not stop and focus on all the good he has done for ourcountry.”
Other University students think it is time trendy T-shirtssupport a good cause.
“They have not taken it too far,” said PrestonDavis, a third year graduate student in acting. “If theseT-shirts are taking it too far, then flying the Confederate flag inLSU colors at every football game is taking it too far too. If Bushcannot take the heat then he should get out of thekitchen.”
The motives of The Original Leftys clothing line also has leftsome students wondering if members are in it for the cause or themonetary benefits.
“They are jumping onto the trend of the moment,”said Matt Bruce, a computer science sophomore. “It is trendyto be against Bush, and most of those people don’t even knowwhat Bush or [Sen. John] Kerry stand for. They are not trying topush political issues but make money.”
Keropian said the company intends to donate one-fifth of themonthly profits to a charity. Although they have not selected acharity yet, Keropian said he wants to either begin a cancerresearch fund or to donate to teamtwintowers.org, an advocaterebuilding fund for the World Trade Centers in New York City.
“This is not a money-making venture,” Keropian said.”This is a labor of love.”
Whether the shirts receive support or disgust, the main purposeof the designs are to promote political involvement in bothnational and global issues, Keropian said.
“This is a subtle way of protesting,” said LaurenHartdegen, a communication disorders sophomore. “I wouldrather see people wearing these shirts than starting fires in theQuad and hurting people.”
Keropian said they are scheduled for a college tour inconjunction with MTV’s “Rock the Vote” campaignpromoting their shirts and their message. Whether they will come tothe University is still undecided.
“I know it is cliche to say, but young people can changethe world,” Keropian said. “The youth have the power tocreate and perpetuate trends — trends then become popular andeventually policy. We are only limited by our own imagination andinitiative.”