Democracy is back in fashion. At least that’s the word on the digital streets where BRAT memes and coconut tree ballads reign supreme. For the upcoming election, people are capital F, capital U: Fired Up!
It’s a complete turnaround from the cloud of dread and despair that had circled the Democratic Party since the televised horror of the Presidential debate in July, where President Biden seemed — off. His words were jumbled and would-be easy questions for the president received incoherent responses. There was a cognitive absence that was palpable to viewers and, most detrimentally, Trump supporters who chomped at the bit like racist piranhas.
This, coupled with affirmed fears regarding Biden’s age and tangential acuity, caused many people to have war flashbacks to the day democracy went dark in 2016. When Trump won the election and unleashed a level of political upset that tinkers the brink of a collective fever dream, many of us felt like we jumped into another timeline.
The mere prospect of Biden going toe to toe with the thunderstorm that is MAGA had many Democrats resigning to the nefarious reality of another Trump presidency.
But now, with Vice President Kamala Harris on the precipice of making presidential history in at least three different ways (first woman, first South Asian, first Black woman), things are looking up in a way many of us are still trying to grapple with.
Excitement and promise have been fleeting emotions for many Americans who have become all but disillusioned with the very concept of democracy.
Still, there is much to do and much to be addressed from Harris’s camp, particularly related to Israel’s war on Gaza and the immeasurable and mounting loss that has reached inhuman depths of depravity.
Harris has addressed this, most recently calling for a cease-fire during her Arizona rally after pro-Palestinian protests urged her to address the genocidal attacks on Gaza.
So, while the social media of it all is right to be placed under a critical gaze, there are also arguments to be made for voting to better global and local humanitarian crises, something that would undoubtedly not happen under another Trump presidency.
With this inspired vigor, many people are poised and positioned to participate in this election like never before.
From door-to-door campaigning to voter registration efforts, much work still needs to be done to prevent another Trump presidency.
As we tap into this new sector of excitement and try to be mindful of keeping actionable change at the forefront, an all-hands-on-deck approach is a must, and sartorial unity is one small but storied way to band together.
For years, how we dress has been woven into the disruptive fabric of the political moments of the times.
From the pleated suits of the Civil Rights Era to the highly referenced Black Panther all-black fits and picked-out fros, fashion is political.
If you are looking to get involved this election season and want to have your wardrobe in alignment, here are some pieces and tips you can start now and carry into November.
For sunny days spent canvassing, a sun-blocking hat that rivals the red MAGA hats that have become synonymous with Trump is a good grab. The Harris-Walz printed camo hat taps into two otherwise juxtaposed sectors: fashion heads who revel in camo as a new age-neutral and midwestern hunters who vote blue.
It’s available now for a preorder.
It’s no secret that Harris is a proud alumna of the illustrious Howard University, and she has no problem with repping the HBCU that propelled her to a history-making political career. So, whether you’ve only heard of the Mecca in hip-hop ballads or frequent the Hilltop during homecoming season and beyond, Howard gear will keep you cozy as you mobilize in your community this fall.
Looking to take a page from Harris’ style book? There is nothing like a good pair of Converse. After all, you won’t get very far running voter registration popups in her nude Manolo wedges.
