Updated August 16, 2022
In this post, we celebrate and encourage voting. Voting rights have been an ongoing struggle for African Americans. Though the 15th amendment granted African American men the right to vote in 1870, exercising that right was fraught with difficulty. Poll taxes among other unreasonable criteria stood in the way. Though women were guaranteed the right to vote through the 19th amendment, for African American women the ability to exercise this right was similarly stifled. It wasn’t until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that African Americans could more freely exercise their right to vote. Yet voter suppression is still evident in other forms (e.g., purging voter registration rolls, requiring specific documents for eligibility, long wait times to vote, and redistricting).
In celebrating the persistence of African Americans in exercising their right to vote, we feature election merchandise from black owned brands (e.g., tee shirts, face masks, yard signs and more) that promote voting. Though there are laws about wearing political merchandise to the polls that vary across states, you have plenty of time to showcase this merchandise in your everyday life. See the company and product links below for more details.
Some of the following are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means at no cost to you, Shop With Leslie will receive a commission should you use the advertisements in making a purchase.
- Shop With Leslie has merchandise promoting voting on Etsy and Redbubble. These include long sleeved tshirts, stickers, and magnets.
- A Tree Of Us (advertisement) has a selection of “good trouble” tshirts in several colors.
- Afrocentric Tribe (advertisement) has a selection of black political apparel consisting of tshirts and tank tops, as well as apparel celebrating black leaders.
- Afro Melanin Prints (advertisement) has a selection of voting apparel that include short and long sleeved tshirts, and hoodies.
- ATX Craft (advertisement) has a selection of social justice apparel that highlights voting. These include tees and sweatshirts.
- Black Art Matters (advertisement) offers several collections that encourage voting. Collections include a variety of items as seen below.
- It’s A Black Thang (advertisement) offers “The Right,” a limited edition painting on giclee water color paper or canvas.
- Ink and Cotton Shop (advertisement) has a voting shirt that puts the historical importance of voting in perspective.
- Legend Influence (advertisement) has a a variety of tshirts that tout voting.
- Signs of Justice (advertisement) has yard signs, bumper stickers, vinyl banners and apparel with a variety of political themes.
- Ask Me Tees offers an “Ask me why I vote” tee shirt for men and women.
- Power In Black has a selection of “good trouble” merchandise that includes tshirts and more.
- PuffCuff Male has “vote like your ancestors died for it” tshirts for men and women.
In reviewing this election merchandise, I hope you find one or more items that work for you. Please vote.
Happy shopping!
ALSO, Shop With Leslie has Etsy and Redbubble stores with merchandise celebrating culture and enterprise. Proceeds go towards supporting this blog. Check out our Etsy merchandise at ShopWithLeslieBlog (free shipping). Find my Redbubble merchandise here, ShopWithLeslieRedbubble. A mixture of products is provided below.
References
- American Civil Liberties Union. “Block the vote: Voter suppression in 2020.” https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/block-the-vote-voter-suppression-in-2020/
- Brennan Center for Justice. “The impact of voter suppression on communities of color.” https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/impact-voter-suppression-communities-color
- Politico. “What the 19th amendment meant for black women.” https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/08/26/19th-amendment-meant-for-black-women-400995
- Pruitt, Sarah. “When did African Americans actually get the right to vote?” 29, January, 2020. https://www.history.com/news/african-american-voting-right-15th-amendment