Calling a few adventurous anti-racists…
I am conducting an experiment, and I need the help of ten people of various ethnic backgrounds who are willing to participate.
The experiment will simply entail wearing a (free) t-shirt that features a photo of an abolitionist hero with the message “I’ll choose my own heroes, thank you.” Participants must agree to post about reactions to the shirt.
There are two different t-shirts in the experiment. Both feature white American abolitionists. One of the t-shirts features a picture of John Brown , the other a picture of James and Lucretia Mott. See samples of each shirt below.
Of course, the text on the shirt would indicate that the individual depicted there is indeed someone you would choose as a hero — if that is not the case, you would not be an appropriate candidate for this experiment. I am looking for participants who would choose John Brown and/or James and Lucretia Mott as individuals they would refer to as heroes.
The shirt is free to ten selected participants who write to me at novelistkc@gmail.com Please include a brief paragraph about your interest and/or involvement in anti-racist issues, indicate your ethnicity(ies), and tell me why you are interested in this experiment. Also please include a mailing address, and indicate which of the shirts you would prefer (and why).
Front of John Brown T-shirtBack of John Brown T-shirt
Back of John Brown T-shirt
Front of James and Lucretia Mott T-shirt
Back of James and Lucretia Mott T-shirt
Know Good White People 
How is this project going for you? It’s a good idea.
I’d gladly wear the second one (it looks as though it would create a bigger shock) but I don’t wear T-shirts.
Be sure to write about your results.
UBJ
By: uglyblackjohn on August 14, 2008
at 9:20 pm
You know I will gladly wear it! either one is fine with me. I will let you choose.
thanks, ew
By: EW on August 17, 2008
at 1:59 pm
What about William Lloyd Garrison or John and Jean Rankin?
I need to read up on James and Lucretia Mott, apparently.
By: Eric on August 22, 2008
at 9:19 am
You got one big enough I’ll rock it gladly.
Great idea.
By: Dalyn on August 28, 2008
at 4:23 am
E-mailing you NOW – I’d LOVE to wear one if you have any left.
XOXO
By: Linda Walton aka bobbysgirlforever on August 29, 2008
at 1:10 am
How is the experiment going?
If you are going to run it again, or have any shirts left, I would wear one and so would my brother (who is also named john brown). I admire the abolitionist john brown because he had unlimited balls in an age when it was a thousand times more perilous to be ballsy. Did you know he was captured by another “colored” guy, surnamed green?
I don’t know about the Motts, but will read about them in future.
I am reading a book called “slavery by another name” – utterly stunning, enraging in fact. It should be a must-read for all americans.
By: patrick brown on March 1, 2009
at 2:46 pm
I would LOVE a John Brown t-shirt, free or not. I actually have been looking for one online. Please contact me on facebook info how to buy a shirt. I would love to be part of your experiment! Thanks.
By: Larry Kowal on July 22, 2011
at 8:00 pm
I would love one!
By: fight4whatsright36 on August 28, 2011
at 9:54 pm