These Rap Shirts For White People Are Ridiculous
The t-shirt brand, Rap Shirts For White People, is exactly what you'd expect: bros flexing their privilege via the appropriation of popular rap lyrics. That's right, now you can wear your entitlement proudly! But as James Harris, writing for Complex, explains, it's not all jokes:
...isn't it weird that the shirt that says "My Self-Respect Brings All the Boys to the Yard," which, being for white people, implies that the positive notion of self-respect is exclusive to its white wearer? If these are shirts for white people, then what does it assume shirts for non-white people would say? Regardless of what you think or what slander you leave in the comments, there's no getting around the fact that you kinda suck if you wear these, but at least you'll start a conversation as you puff out your chest in a Rap Shirt for White Person tee (now sleeveless) and bellow for another Natty Light.
Several of the t-shirts, however, do poke fun at the stereotypes we often associate with white people (you know, like they're all rich, drive Priuses, shop at Whole Foods, and love quinoa).
That said, if you're a culturally insensitive bro who doesn't give a shit about political correctness, cop one of these t-shirts and parade your privilege like it's 2005 and President Bush (the one who likes to paint) is in the White House. Maybe I'm old school, but I like my racism and classism unapologetic and a little reckless. At least then, I know where you stand.
UPDATE: In a grand gesture of white guilt, Tim Blount, the creator of Rap Shirts For White People, emailed Gawker to tell us that he will be donating 100 percent of the proceeds to various charities associated with the original artists. "My hope," he wrote, "is to clear the air about what may be some misperceptions about the shirts and my overall intentions." Tim also left me a tweet explaining that this decision was an "act of good faith 4 all people" and that he's not a racist, after which he added #just4lols. If you say so, Tim.