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The Clog just had a brief conversation with T-Shirt Orgy vice president, Jonathan Fernandez. You may recall that some people were getting quite hot-headed over certain race-focused gag shirts displayed in Fernandez’s store. The controversy climaxed May 2nd with a sizeable protest on Telegraph Ave. So now we’re curious as to the future direction of the Futura basement. Specifically, we want to know if one can still buy a cliche Radiohead tee and something crassly satirical. Here are some highlights from our chat.Clog: Has the pressure from protesters died down recently?JF: I think like um, we were receptive to the message. We’re working together to bring the clothes they (the protesters) want us to carry.Clog: What’s your take on it? Did you think the shirts were offensive?JF: I think it’s obvious that they were offensive because a number of people were offended.Clog: Will business practices change in the future? As in, will you guys still be willing to make offensively comedic shirts?JF: I think they (the protesters) have an ongoing concern that there be positive shirts for sale that they would not construe as being racist—that there won’t be any shirts that are offensive. There might be shirts that are offensive to my parents. We’re going to be careful about shirts that are offensive based on race, though. I’m going to change from negative portrayals to positive.So, apparently, in response to economic pressure, T-Shirt Orgy is going to adopt a system of more stringent oversight. Fernandez didn’t really bullshit us on the topic. This choice to change is a business decision and nothing more. While explaining store’s response, Fernandez said, “You always pick your battles in life. What’s the point of arguing whether a shirt is racist or non-racist?”Well, there is a point as far as society is concerned. Too bad it seems T-shirt Orgy and the protesters have equally little interest in debating satire vs. racism. On a tangential note, we’re sort of hoping that someone will do a counter anti-sensitivity protest to amuse us during this grueling stretch of finals (We’re looking at you, Squelch people.)You won’t get much editorializing out of the Clog, but it must be said that the “Rutgers” shirt seems to be making fun of an offensive statement—not necessarily endorsing it. The protesters might have had some trouble in separating message from messenger there. As for the other offenders, the “Lynching” shirts confuse us, the “Diego” shirts are offensive as well as unfunny, and our opinion on the “Jewbacca” shirts shifts depending on how stereotypically self-hating we happen to be on a given day (remember, the Clog is Jewish on its father’s side).The Clog would like to hear from the protesters on this topic, so feel free to contact us and give your side on this most controversial issue.
Comments:
May 11, 2007 at 1:47 am
i full heartedly support ur endevours young man. is too late to still get a T??