Reading people’s encouraging stories about their experiences wearing Kamala t-shirts and whatnot. It’s a great way to connect with people and let them know of ways to get involved. That said, not everyone wants to directly declare their political preference; it can be especially tricky if you live in a small town, for example.
On that note, I got an idea for some jewelry, and a T-shirt, that are not direct but would still have the desired effect of gathering our people:
1) Jewelry: a whistle worn on a chain as a necklace, with a cat’s face painted on it or a cat sticker stuck to it.
2) A T-shirt with an image of such a whistle. No words, just an image. People will get it, and the people who don’t get it and they ask what is that, you could just answer, “It’s a cat whistle.” And smile sweetly and go on about your day.
3) If we want a bolder version of the t-shirt to include words to drive the message home, we could add a slogan that says “I see your dog-whistle, and raise you my CAT-whistle!”
(Yes of course, many if not most women in our movement are not single or childless or cat-ladies per se, but I think the phrase has become pretty standard to indicate what it indicates, which is #TeamKamala and #VoteBlue!)
For my fellow NPAs who might be struggling with all these calls to vote Democrat, I made this short TikTok video addressed to my fellow lefty anarchists. But really I’m calling all NPAs. Because I feel your pain. And this election really is important. As much as the two mainstream parties may feel like just two variations on the theme of elitism, plutocracy, war-mongering, and authoritarianism, there are some very key differences, and lives are at stake.
One of the tips I give is that the most likely successful course of action will be to first make sure we vote out the creeping fascism. And then after November (and don’t forget to vote in your primary in August as well if applicable), we have to keep up the pressure on the White House and Congress in order to get the truly progressive things accomplished in society.
Two suggestions for you in the meantime: join Veterans for Peace, read their literature and share it and attend their zoom meetings; and connect with Not Another Bomb, sign & share their petition calling on Kamala Harris / Biden administration right now for an arms embargo, and attend NAB’s zoom action meetings.
PS. Production note: My preference for how to produce a message i choose to wear is either DIY, or order direct from the campaign/Dem orgs (in cases where the message I want to convey is being offered for sale to support the campaign, a Democrat org etc.), or else have it made by a Black-owned business or other local business in my area who I want to support. I am currently making my cat whistle by painting white nail polish on a nice steel whistle that I happen to have. And I will make a cat face with sharpie on one side, and maybe the word “meow” on the other side.
OK! I got my whistle made, and am wearing it right now. Here’s a pic of both sides.