Recently, I watched a video where a woman of color shared something that stuck with me: she appreciates shirts that help indicate when a white woman is a safe person. That hit me hard. It reminded me that while I may feel like an ally, strangers don’t know that just by looking at me. My smile is warm, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
I believe in equality. I believe immigrants strengthen our communities. I believe LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. I believe Black Lives Matter. And I believe that acknowledging my privilege is part of doing the work—not just thinking the right thoughts in private.
So why shirts? Why sweatshirts? Because they’re visible. They’re a small but powerful way to signal, “You are safe here. You are seen.” In a world where marginalized people often wonder who they can trust, a simple message on a shirt can be a beacon.
My husband calls it virtue signaling. I get where he’s coming from—he worries it’s performative. But here’s the thing: signaling virtue isn’t the problem. Silence is. If wearing a shirt makes even one person feel less alone, less afraid, or more welcome, then it’s worth it. It’s not the whole work, but it’s part of it.
I’m not pretending a T-shirt will dismantle systemic racism or fix immigration policy. But it can start conversations. It can show solidarity. It can remind me—and others—that values aren’t just beliefs; they’re actions, even small ones.
When I wear a shirt that says, “No Human is Illegal” or “Love is Love,” I’m not just making a fashion choice. I’m making a statement: I see you. I care. I’m willing to stand up for what matters, even in everyday spaces like the grocery store or the park. These moments matter because they normalize inclusion. They make it harder for hate to hide in plain sight.
So yes, I’m investing in shirts and sweatshirts that speak my values. Because I want more than my smile to tell the world where I stand. I want my clothes to be a conversation starter, a comfort to someone who needs it, and a visible sign that kindness and justice matter. If that’s virtue signaling, then I’m okay with that. Because in a world that needs more signals of safety and solidarity, I’d rather be loud than silent.
