In this post, we celebrate and encourage voting. Voting rights has 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 and requiring specific documents for eligibility).
In celebrating the persistence of African Americans in exercising their right to vote, we present election merchandise from black owned brands (e.g., tee shirts, bags, face masks, jewelry and home goods) 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.
Black Art Matters (advertisement) offers several collections that encourage voting. Collections include a variety of items as described below.
- A “Black Votes Matter” collection that includes the following:
- Face masks for kids and adults;
- Classic tee shirts for everyday wear, and premium scoop tee shirts;
- Graphic tee shirts with edgy bold print and long sleeved tee shirts;
- Active tee shirts that are quick-dry performance tees;
- Leggings that are 88% polyester and 12% elastane;
- A chiffon top and extra long tee shirts, and baseball tee shirts with 3/4 length sleeves;
- A classic coffee mug, tall coffee mug, travel mug and water bottle;
- A tote bag in two styles and laptop sleeves for various types of MacBooks; and
- A throw and floor pillow.
- A “Yes We Kam” Kamala Harris collection includes the following:
- Face masks for kids and adults;
- A duffle bag, backpack, tote, drawstring bag and zipper pouch;
- A classic tee shirt, graphic tee shirt, long sleeved tee shirt, and an active tee shirt which is a quick-dry performance tee;
- An extra long tee shirt, chiffon top, fitted scoop and premium scoop tee shirts, and pullover hoodie;
- Leggings that are 88% polyester and 12% elastane;
- A coffee mug, tall coffee mug, travel mug, and water bottle; and
- A throw pillow and floor pillow.
- A “Your Black Vote Matters” collection includes the following:
- A face masks forkids and adults;
- A classic tee shirt, graphic tee shirt, long sleeved tee shirt, and active tee shirt which is a quick dry performance tee;
- A chiffon top, fitted scoop tee shirt, and relaxed fit tee shirt;
- Leggings made of 88% polyester and 12% elastane;
- A coffee mug, a travel mug, and a water bottle; and
- A throw pillow and floor pillow.
- By Chari on Revolve (advertisement) offers a selection of vote necklaces in gold and silver toned.
- Digital Doodlers (advertisement) offers Biden 2020 landslide stickers in several sizes.
- It’s A Black Thang (advertisement) offers “The Right,” a limited edition painting on giclee water color paper or canvas.
- Patch Party Club (advertisement) offers a “Ridin with Biden Harris 2020” iron on patch, and a “Biden Harris 2020” iron on patch.
- Ask Me Tees offers an “Ask me why I vote” tee shirt for men and women.
- Philadelphia Print Works offers a selection of Chisholm for President tee shirts, in several colors.
- Power In Black offers a selection of vote tee shirts in several styles and colors.
- Thesa Stylista offers a “vote” face mask.
In reviewing this election merchandise, I hope you find one or more items that work for you.
Happy shopping!
Also, Shop With Leslie offers a Premium Content section with Buying Guides and Sales Information. You will find thousands of inexpensive and fabulous items for $25.00 and less from black owned companies. That is items for $10.00 and less, items from $10.01 to $15.00, and items from $15.01 to $25.00. Great sales at 50% off are also posted. We do the legwork so you don’t have to! You can sign up HERE for the low cost of $12.00 per year. Or, consider the following.
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/
- 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
